January was an interesting month with firms wasting no time introducing new products and advertising campaigns. There was a new contest from Fidelity, new products from American Express and AXA Equitable, a new statement design from Vanguard and upcoming statement changes announced from Barclays and Discover.

“You”nique ad Campaign

Fidelity released a unique new contest that requires entrants to submit self-made videos that incorporate the firm’s popular “Turn Here” campaign. The contest asks users to create an original video in which an actor portrays the “Green Line” from the firm’s “Turn Here” campaign. All video entries are submitted on YouTube, with the Grand Prize winner receiving $5,000. The contest is currently being promoted on the firm’s public site, with details also available on Fidelity’s YouTube page.

New Products for the New Year

AXA Equitable unveiled the new Retirement Cornerstone variable annuity, a product which combines a long-term accumulation account with over 90 investment options, and a guaranteed income account on a single, tax-deferred platform. Credit card issuer American Express introduced its new ZYNC card, which allows cardholders to select between four rewards “Lifestyle” programs.

Make a Statement

Vanguard announced on its private site that it will be rolling out a new client statement through April, 2010. According to the firm, the new statements will utilize landscape formatting, grey section headings and boldfaced contract values that contribute to a streamlined presentation of contract information. In accordance with regulatory changes mandated by 2009’s CARD act, Barclays and Discover announced plans to make their monthly cardholder statements easier to understand. Barclays informed private site visitors that the January statement will sport a new look, including a larger font size and expanded payment information section. Discover sent clients a private email notifying them of the upcoming changes to their monthly statements. 

Financial firms played a major role in disseminating information and organizing relief for a country ravished by natural disaster. In response to the devastating earthquakes that struck Haiti in January, many of the firms in our Monitor coverage groups posted press releases, public homepage announcements, and links to various charities and donation sites offering aid.