Irvine, Calif., Oct. 16, 2008 — FreeCreditReport.com®, the leading provider of online consumer credit reports, scores and alerts, announced today the online release of a viral video series featuring American icon Ed McMahon “rapping” to help educate the public about the importance of regular credit monitoring. The two videos are available starting today for viewing at www.freecreditreportsongs.com.
“The partnership with FreeCreditReport.com and concept for the videos are brilliant because together we have a very important message to share: If I can run into financial problems, it can happen to anyone. Being aware of your financial situation is really important, especially in today’s unpredictable economy,” said McMahon. “It’s important that people realize they are not alone and there is help. I hope that my participation in this campaign will inspire viewers to learn from my mistakes and become more aware of their financial health before they get into trouble.”
McMahon, best-known as Johnny Carson’s long-time sidekick on “The Tonight Show” and as the host of TV-talent contest “Star Search,” recently faced potential foreclosure on his Beverly Hills mansion. Together, he and FreeCreditReport.com pledged to help educate others in similar situations through a humorous, two-part Internet-based viral video campaign that provides McMahon a platform to offer hope and advice to everyone in a credit crunch.
“We were moved by Ed McMahon’s story, positive attitude and willingness to publicly share his financial story and accept responsibility for not better monitoring his finances,” said Mike Dean, chief marketing officer at FreeCreditReport.com. “Because he is a celebrity recognized by virtually everyone, we immediately thought people could relate to him and respond to his message.”
Shot in two parts, the first video is titled “Big Check” and follows a down-on-his-luck McMahon visiting the winners he once delivered “big checks” to and requesting some of the money back. The video closes with him spying a FreeCreditReport.com advertisement. The second video, titled “Ed McGangsta,” presents a new McMahon, who, with the information he obtained from FreeCreditReport.com, was better informed about his finances. Both videos feature McMahon rapping humorous lyrics, which is consistent with the company’s popular advertising campaign.
About FreeCreditReport.com®
FreeCreditReport.com provides consumers with quick, easy and cost-effective access to personal credit histories, ongoing monitoring of changes to credit reports, as well as access to educational materials. The leading provider of online consumer credit reports, credit scores, credit monitoring and other credit-related information, FreeCreditReport.com serves millions of active members and has delivered more than 98 million credit reports on the Web. For more information, please visit www.freecreditreport.com, a Web site owned by ConsumerInfo.com Inc., an Experian company.
About Experian
Experian® is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organizations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions.
Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organizations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage.
For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence. Clients include organizations from financial services, retail and catalog, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.
Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Experian has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and has operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Nottingham, UK. The Group employs approximately 15,500 people in 38 countries worldwide, supporting clients in more than 65 countries around the world. Continuing sales for the year ended March 31, 2008, were in excess of $4 billion.
For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.
Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Contact:
Niki Hirschmann
Paine PR
1 949 809 6724 Telephone
nhirschmann@painepr.com Email