In Brief: N.Y. Concert to Launch Amex 'Blue' Card

American Express Co. is introducing a U.S. version of its "blue" card today and plans to celebrate its debut with a free rock concert in Manhattan's Central Park on Sept. 14.

The card was launched in 1997 in London and Taiwan as a product that would appeal to young people, and has since spread to eight other countries. The U.S. version will be somewhat different from the others, said Amex spokeswoman Gail Wasserman. She described the product as a "lifestyle card" that is not aimed at a particular generation.

The Central Park concert will feature David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Chrissie Hynde, Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Nicks, and Sheryl Crow, who will be on hand at Amex's press conference to promote the card.

Amex will be giving away 25,000 tickets to the concert over the next week. A team called the "blue crew" will be fanning out into different parts of New York City to find concert-goers.

-- Lisa Fickenscher

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER