Card Briefs: On-Line Visa Issuer Offering Dilbert Card

NextCard Inc., which issues Visa cards aimed at Internet shoppers, has teamed with United Media to issue a cobranded Dilbert card.

The Dilbert card, available in August, will be marketed on-line to fans of the Scott Adams comic strip, which is syndicated by United Media.

Interest rates and other terms will vary based on an applicant's credit history. There will be no annual fee.

"Dilbert fans are tech-savvy and have a tremendously strong affinity with the characters," said Richard Goebel, director of business development at NextCard, which accepts applications only via the Internet. "With Dilbert's active on-line following, we have a unique opportunity to create an innovative and distinctive product, and have some fun along the way."

In a separate announcement, NextCard said it has signed an $11 million marketing deal with PlanetOut, an on-line site for gays and lesbians. NextCard said it will offer cobranded products and card services late this summer.

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