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Letter from the editors

his is an era of "co-opetition" in which
financial institutions and fintechs are work-
ing together to offer products and services
T that enhance consumers' lives, according
to a number of industry observers. Square is one
example. It crashed the payments party in 2010 with
a payment dongle that plugged into the headphone
jack on smartphones and quickly caught the fancy of
micro merchants typically overlooked by traditional
acquirers.

Square, with its savvy marketing and business model,
quickly eclipsed ROAM Data Inc., which was founded
by payments industry veterans and is now owned by
Ingenico Group. ROAM's dongle/smartphone solution,
dubbed ROAMpay, entered the market months before
Square's solution and won the Electronic Transactions
Association's Technology Innovation Award in 2010.
There was heated debate at the time about what
flashy newcomer Square's intentions and potential for
disruption were.
Square founder Jack Dorsey, quoted in this issue's
lead article, appears to have put that debate to rest. He Bridge the Gap
made it clear that Square doesn't intend to compete
with banks. "What we're really good at is taking what between your
they offer and making it more accessible to people," he
said. The article further explores the synergy between advertising dollars
fintechs and payments stalwarts and discusses how
they are capitalizing on each other's strengths to do and bottom line.
things neither could do alone.

Writers contributing to this issue also exemplify Customized advertising campaigns
just how much can be achieved when we work to fit any size company and budget.
together. Without them, we could not carry out our
mission to support and educate the industry's feet • Spotlight Innovators’ Pages
on the street. You'll find herein articles on how to
effectively train newbie sales teams, how to combat (frequently updated content)
agent attrition by giving them the support they • Print (various size options)
need, the critical importance of cross-selling, what
portfolio rationalization is and why it makes sense, • Resource Guide listing
opportunities to provide cash advance in the mobile
dining realm, and how to turn international shoppers (print/online/front page (option))
into buyers by expanding payment options. • Email Blasts (to GS readership)

For the latest legal and regulatory actions, new • Online (website/twice month newsletter)
funding, honors and awards, partnerships, research,
acquisitions, appointments, and more goings on in • Video
payments, check out our News Briefs and Industry • Bundle advertisng campaign discounts*
Update sections. And please peruse the product and
company profiles, prepaid news, and tips on how to
leverage your super-user base. Danielle Thorpe

Have you been sending us your news? If so, thank AVP Media Partnerships
you! If not, please, send your press releases to
press@greensheet.com so we can help spread the word. 707-284-1686
And, as always, we will welcome your feedback at
greensheet@greensheet.com.

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