American Express Celebrates Out of the Blue Kindness and Giving

ATLANTA, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- American Express and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) today launched a surprise campaign to celebrate the spirit of Out of the Blue kindness and giving. The campaign kicks-off in BGCA's hometown of Atlanta, with American Idol's Ruben Studdard making a special appearance at the Georgia Aquarium to shine a spotlight on how Out of the Blue acts can have a tremendous impact on friends, family and communities everywhere. The celebration will continue in Dallas, Miami and Seattle later this fall with American Express(R) Cardmembers in all four cities making possible an Out of the Blue grant of $500,000(1) to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help BGCA achieve its mission of providing a positive place for kids across the country.

Today's kick-off will be marked with an official proclamation from the City of Atlanta, declaring July 30, 2007 Out of the Blue Day and asking Atlantans - "What's one Out of the Blue thing YOU can do?" Out of the Blue Day was created by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, American Express and the Atlanta City Council to teach children and adults alike that generosity happens on both large and small scales and that a little kindness can go a long way.

"American Express has a long history of partnering with our local merchants and Cardmembers in supporting the communities in which we live and work," said Howard Fulton, vice president and general manager, southern region, American Express Merchant Services. "BGCA's mission to inspire and enable young people is one of the highest callings of any organization, and it is our privilege to help continue that tradition."

Billboard Music Award-winning recording artist and American Idol winner, Ruben Studdard, made an Out of the Blue appearance at the Aquarium today to show his support of the campaign. "An Out of the Blue act can be something as small as smiling at a stranger or as big as donating money or time to an organization that is making a difference," he said. "As a Boys & Girls Club alum, I'm honored to be here today to give back to the Club as my Out of the Blue thing to do."

"With today's busy schedules, it's easy to overlook the importance of kindness and giving," said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization that truly understands the importance of giving back. "If each of us takes the time to do one Out of the Blue act, the impact will be remarkable."

To further celebrate July 30th as Out of the Blue Day, American Express has made possible free-admission to the Georgia Aquarium for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta members throughout the day. In addition, American Express merchants throughout the Atlanta area are sponsoring a wide variety of exclusive Out of the Blue offers to surprise and delight local Cardmembers. Cardmembers can log on to http://www.getlocaloffers.com/atlanta to access these offers starting today through September 14th. Beginning October 1st, Cardmembers in Dallas, Miami and Seattle will have the opportunity to take advantage of Out of the Blue offers in their city to show support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America with their transactions contributing to the $500,000 donation from American Express. Atlantans can also visit http://www.outoftheblueatlanta.com/ for ideas on Out of the Blue things you can do.

About American Express

Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards. American Express Company is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Boys & Girls Clubs of America ( http://www.bgca.org/ ) comprises a national network of some 3,700 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving more than 4.4 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.

  (1) Donations are not tax deductible for Cardmembers and will be based on
      a $0.50 donation per American Express transaction at participating
      merchants in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and Seattle.