New functionality and penetration in new media channels for a wider outreach to consumers in Latin America and the Caribbean

December, 2009, MasterCard Worldwide announced today the roll-out of its financial literacy program, Smart Consumer in English, Consumo Inteligente in Spanish and Consumidor Consciente in Portuguese, across all markets in the Latin America and Caribbean region. The platform, originally launched in Mexico and Brazil during 2007 and followed by Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, is now available in every country where MasterCard operates in the region, including the English speaking Caribbean. 
“This program is the backbone of MasterCard’s financial education efforts aimed at empowering communities across the region to better understand and manage their finances,” said Richard Hartzell, President, MasterCard Latin America and Caribbean Region.
The robust online platform provides consumers with the latest financial information to guide them through managing their personal finances. By accessing the websites www.smartconsumer.ws, www.consumointeligente.org or www.consumidorconsciente.org consumers can take advantage of interactive calculators and tools, information on an array of personal finance topics, and advice from a regional panel of financial experts.
The program’s financial advisors referred to on the sites as Mister and Miss Finance will interact with consumers via blogs, podcasts, RSS feeds and social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and Orkut; providing easy to follow information on financial topics that matter to consumers.
But that’s not all. The protagonists of the site are the interactive “family” represented primarily by a father, mother, and teenage children who help guide consumers on financial matters through animated real-life scenarios.
“Today’s consumers face a dizzying array of financial choices, often with little to no financial education on their side to assist them in choosing wisely. Whether spending, saving, or investing, consumers are constantly making important financial decisions without the experience and guidance needed to help them stay on the right path,” continued Hartzell. “MasterCard is committed to driving financial literacy and educating consumers around the world, arming those across the region with the tools they need to become financially savvy and take control of their economic future,” concluded Hartzell.
Smart Consumer (www.smartconsumer.ws), Consumo Inteligente (www.consumointeligente.org) and Consumidor Consciente in Brazil (www.consumidorconsciente.org), were developed using “Intelligent Website” technology which automatically provides visitors with financial information related to their country in English, Spanish and Portuguese. 

About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link amongst financial institutions, businesses, cardholders, and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor, and advisor, MasterCard develops as well as markets payment solutions. MasterCard processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year and provides industry-leading analysis, in addition to consulting services for financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands – namely MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus® - MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.