Western Union “World of Betters” Contest

Nov. 28, 2011 - PRLog -- Internationally acclaimed Bollywood singer Sunidhi Chauhan and Somali-born musician K’naan gave the Western Union “World of Betters” online contest a tremendous boost by hosting events in Mumbai - India and Johannesburg - South Africa respectively. These events were part of the five celebrity “World of Betters” acts to be held across five continents, with Fourteen-time Grammy Award® winning artist, Alicia Keys kicking off the contest on November 1st as part of the launch of Western Union’s latest global platform, “Moving Money for Better.”  

Jean Claude Farah, senior vice president, Middle East & Africa, Western Union said, “Western Union World of Betters focuses on giving back to the global community to help others have a better day and a better life. The three global events so far with Alicia in New York, Sunidhi in Mumbai and K’naan in Johannesburg are reminders to all of us that small things can make a big difference, and a small act of kindness can go a long way in making someone’s life better. This is the basis of our existence as a company and we are proud to have collaborated with these three superstars to help make a difference in the world.”

While Sunidhi Chauhan joined Western Union to give 25 disadvantaged teenage girls a full-day makeover and mentoring to fulfil their aspiration of singing and dancing with India’s finest, K’naan gave children in Johannesburg hundreds of renewable-energy sOccket footballs, which harness the kinetic, or motion, energy of the soccer balls during normal game play and store it for later power needs.  

“I jumped at the chance to touch the lives of so many young Indian girls with this empowering Western Union World of Betters event,” Sunidhi Chauhan said. “We gave these children and their parents a brighter outlook on their future and this is the same feeling Western Union gives my fans when they are able to send money to their family and loved ones around the globe.”

“The Western Union World of Betters was a perfect match for me because I knew giving away energy-generating footballs would have a lasting impact on the lives of these children and their families - providing a source of much-needed power from play,” K’naan said. “We’re making their day better, and the company makes a difference all the time by helping consumers send cash around the world.”

Throughout the Western Union World of Betters contest, other renowned artists will join Alicia, Sunidhi and K’naan’s efforts by broadening the campaign’s reach, with other celebrities and dates to be announced globally and streamed live on www.worldofbetters.com. The celebrity team will also activate social media throughout the campaign.

Western Union “World of Betters” is one program of many that aligns under “Moving Money for Better” branding concepts, focused on Western Union® products and services as solutions to create ‘moments of better’. While sustaining the company’s 160-year history of innovation and helping people improve lives, the new branding elements depict visual timelines that invite consumers to be a part of the worldwide campaign.

To participate in Western Union, “World of Betters” and tune in live to the events, consumers can visit www.worldofbetters.com.

How to Enter:
Eligible participants should visit www.worldofbetters.com and upload their entry of no more than 100 words describing how they would use US$1,000 to make the world a better place. Participants are then encouraged to tell their family and friends to view their story and vote on the website. Public voting will determine 500 entries from which a judging panel will select 100 Western Union World of Betters ideas, and winners will receive the equivalent of US$1,000 cash that they can use to bring their idea to life. Those entering the contest should submit their entries by 11:59:59 p.m. GMT on Dec. 15, 2011.

To learn more and submit an entry, visit www.worldofbetters.com, click on the enter button to complete the registration form and follow the instructions on how to submit the entry. The site is available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, with some pages available in Russian and Arabic. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Entry is subject to the Official Rules available at www.worldofbetters.com. Void where prohibited by law.