Blackhawk Network Recognizes Partners For Prepaid Industry Achievements

PLEASANTON, Calif., May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackhawk Network, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAWK), a leading provider of prepaid and financial payment products, has announced the winners of the company's seventh annual Hawk Awards, recognizing exceptional achievements among its partners in the prepaid arena.

"Once again this year, we were amazed by Blackhawk Network's partners who continue to innovate their products, driving growth in the prepaid card industry," said Talbott Roche, President of Blackhawk Network. "The Hawk Awards recognize those companies who have contributed the most to the industry across the past year and we commend the hard work of all of this year's finalists and winners."

The following organizations were honored at the 2013 Hawk Awards ceremony:

Best Card Design: Brinker International
This year's Best Card Design was selected by Blackhawk Network partner attendees who reviewed over 325 pieces of card art on display in Blackhawk's Card Art Gallery. 

Best Promotional Program from a Distribution Partner: Giant Eagle
The Best Promotional Program award honors the most creative and strategic marketing campaign by a distribution partner.

Best Promotional Program from a Content Partner: Moxie's Grill & Bar
The Best Promotional Program from a content partner honors the most creative and strategic marketing campaign by a content partner that effectively showcases the use of a prepaid product.

Most Innovative Product or Service: Outback Steakhouse – Bloomin' Brands, Inc.
The most Innovative Product or Service Award honors the most successful and innovative product from a content partner.  

Best Adopter of Digital: SpaFinder Wellness
The Best Adopter of Digital Award recognizes the content partner that most adeptly utilized the digital channel to expand their consumer reach.

Best Digital Marketer: iTunes
The Best Digital Marketer Award honors a content partner who has executed an extremely successful digital marketing program in the past year.

Best Overall Prepaid Program: Meijer
The Best Overall Prepaid Program recognizes a ground-breaking program by a partner company.  

Industry Achievement: Gary Millerchip, The Kroger Co
The Industry Achievement Award honors the individual or organization that made the greatest contribution to the advancement of the gift card industry.  

Industry Innovation: Seastone's Video Personalization Gift Card Packaging
The Industry Innovation Award recognizes a vendor partner who has introduced a unique product, service or technology that has led to the most strategic progression in prepaid in the past year.

Most Innovative Prepaid Product: Gift Card Impression's Stocking Buddy™
The Most Innovative Prepaid Product Award honors a vendor partner who has introduced the most innovative packaging or product design that is changing the way consumers interact with prepaid products.

Special Hawk Recognition: InTech Direct The Home Depot Man Card
This new award category recognizes a vendor partner who has introduced a new innovation and technology in prepaid card manufacturing.

About Blackhawk Network
Blackhawk is a leading prepaid payment network utilizing proprietary technology to offer a broad range of gift cards, other prepaid products and payment services in the United States and 18 other countries.

SOURCE Blackhawk Network, Inc.