RISMEDIA, June 26, 2008-With many women serving as the family CFO, it’s not surprising some would seek help in today’s challenging economic environment. In fact, nearly 9,000 women from all over the country submitted essays outlining their financial goals, needs and hopes for a “Stay a Step Ahead” financial makeover.
This week, the contest sponsors – Chase and the O, The Oprah Magazine promotion team – announced the four winners and provided advice that can help millions of women manage their household debt, make real estate decisions, plan for retirement and even manage small business finances.
The winners, from Arizona, California, Ohio and Texas, are each receiving advice from a team of Chase financial specialists with expertise in investments, mortgages, and personal and business banking.
The July issue of O, The Oprah Magazine features a special advertising section dedicated to these women’s stories and action plans. Additional information about each winner, including video clips, profiles, and Chase’s initial plan is available at www.oprah.com/chase.
“Chase is excited to partner with O, The Oprah Magazine promotion team to provide real-life advice for women working hard to get and stay a step ahead in their financial life,” said Saundra Schrock, who manages Chase’s network of 3,150 bank branches. “What matters to them matters to Chase, and we are proud to be able to offer advice, education and tools to help them achieve their dreams.”
Each contest winner has a specific goal that mirrors those of millions of women’s financial dreams across the country. The winners are:
– Angela Carter of West Chester, Ohio – A would-be homeowner worries that her credit history might hinder her dreams;
– Gina Schopf of Houston, Texas – A recently divorced mother is about to be an empty-nester and wants to take control of her post-divorce finances;
– Shelia Spencer of Gilbert, Arizona – A working mother who would like to become a stay-at-home mom; and
– Toni Purry of Los Angeles, Calif. – A small business owner is accomplished in her field, but needs additional financial knowledge on growing her new business.
Each woman has received financial consultations to get them on the right track, and will be consulting with their Chase financial specialists for the rest of the year.
While the winners have taken advantage of Chase’s one-on-one financial advice, Chase provides all customers with information to achieve a solid financial footing. In addition, Chase now offers Clear & Simple – a collection of free tools, resources and business practices that help its customers make wise credit decisions and manage debt effectively.
In other company news, Chase announced its sponsorship of the second season of “Better Living in USA,” a television series to entertain and educate Chinese Americans in ways relevant to their lives in America.
“Better Living in USA Season II” features tours of the homes of 12 Chinese-American celebrities who also share success stories and experiences.
The new season premiered this month and will run through August 30. It will air:
• At 9 a.m. PST Sundays on CtiTV Zhong Tian Channel in Los Angeles,
• At 5 p.m. PST Saturdays on KTSF in San Francisco, and
• At 9:30 p.m. EST Saturdays on Sinovision in New York.
“We are proud to help create ‘Better Living in USA’ again,” said Jen Leung, Emerging Markets and Affordable Lending marketing manager at Chase. “It gives us a terrific opportunity to reaffirm the rewards of homeownership to this audience.”
The show’s producers, JL Global Entertainment Inc., integrate both conversational and visual elements to make the program interesting and meaningful. The series, which will air in 12 thirty-minute episodes, will show the celebrities engaging in passionate discussions about their home with the show’s host, Jessie Liu. Among the featured celebrities are noted fashion designer Flora Zeta, renowned forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee, and celebrated Erhu virtuoso Karen Han.
Chase also sponsored the Telly Award-winning first season of “Better Living in USA,” which demonstrated how new homeowners blend Asian culture and American living in exciting makeovers of their homes. It was the first original in-language program produced entirely in the U.S. for an Asian-American audience.
For more information, visit www.chaseclearandsimple.com and www.betterlivingus.com.
