Tue, 16/06/2009
High Wycombe, UK – June 16th, 2009 – Charities could be set to benefit from a campaign to erase commission charges on mobile text message donations. Currently, any mobile user who donates to charity via text message can see up to 30 per centof their donation lost in network and third party delivery charges.
WIN plc,a leading provider of interactive mobile entertainment and information services, is looking to lead the campaign by announcing today that it will take no commission from any charity shortcode transaction that it handles via its distribution platform.
Graham Rivers, CEO of WIN plc, said: “Charities need to get the full amount without the middlemen – and we are one of them – taking a cut. WIN would like industry players, aggregators, and mobile operators to join us and help this become a reality.
“The UK Government has been known to waive the VAT on text donations to charity. A concerted move by all players to ensure charities get the full gift will also create more confidence in consumers and hopefully lead to a greater number of donations being made via text message. We need to create a win-win situation for the public and the charities.”
Joe Saxton former Chair of the Institute of Fundraising who has been leading the campaign to reduce the cost of giving by text message said: “This is fantastic news. WIN is showing real leadership in deciding not to charge for handling text donations. It is this kind of far-sighted action that will help charities make the most of the potential of text messages to reach new and younger audiences.”
The creation of standardised charity shortcodes, set to be announced shortly, will simplify and clarify the tax situation on charitable donations.
Rivers adds: “People can be put off donating via text if they think commercial organisations are going to benefit from their generosity. If they want their pound to go to charity, then that’s where it all should go.”
WIN’s WINCast platform hosts and runs a wide range of data and voice services through mobile, fixed line and Internet networks.
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About WIN
WIN is an innovator in interactive mobile entertainment and information distribution with a ten-year track record of developing an unrivalled variety of services for Europe’s leading content owners, mobile operators, corporate enterprises, broadcasters and media corporations.
WIN enables companies to use mobile services to improve business efficiency, grow revenues and reduce costs. Companies using WIN’s services are able to improve communication with existing customers, attract new customers, increase brand loyalty and enhance customer satisfaction. An impressive and growing client list includes such household names as Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, Sony Ericsson, AOL, Barclays Bank, Centrica and E-On.
Headquartered in Buckinghamshire, UK, the Group has built on its success by extending its reach into new overseas markets including Ireland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Scandinavia, Australia, Africa, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. WIN is structured into three operational units, Managed Services, Enterprise Solutions and New Media.
Visit us at: www.winplc.com
For further information, please contact:
CC Group
Daniel Lowther
Tel: +44 (0) 118 920 7650
Email: win@the-cc-group.com
