COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Data
Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading global provider of
data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, today released its
2018 Sustainability Report, which presents progress made over the
past year and highlights connections to the Company's current
transformational business strategy.
The 2018 report focuses on progress made amid a changing
environment impacting Alliance Data's overall business strategy in
areas like governance and risk mitigation; responsible banking and
the data-driven economy; workforce development and community
investment.
"When faced with disruption, adaptability is essential to
remaining competitive. We have made a deliberate effort as part of
Alliance Data's broader sustainability strategy to evolve so that
we can continue to be relevant and create value for our
stakeholders," said Joseph Motes,
EVP, chief administrative officer, general counsel and secretary of
Alliance Data. "The Company's measurable progress across sound
corporate and board governance, responsible management practices
and our commitment to operate with purpose, transparency and
integrity further demonstrates we are focused on the right
priorities for sustained success. Additionally, we are
pleased that in 2018, several dimensions of our business practices
were recognized by leading industry third parties and ESG ratings
organizations, further validating our performance and
approach."
The report provides an in-depth look at efforts the Company has
made over the last year to bring a strategic and data-focused
approach to priority areas of corporate responsibility. A balanced
scorecard and GRI Content Index outline key financial,
environmental and operational disclosures, while break-out
articles, associate quotes and stories provide context and examples
throughout.
Key highlights of the 2018 sustainability report include:
- Adapting to changes in consumer privacy – The Company
anticipated the 2018 EU GDPR regulations – as well as emerging
cybersecurity threats – by strengthening its IT security policies
and preparing its clients for the changes. In April 2018 the Company hosted an event in
London, open to clients and peers,
to help attendees understand GDPR's impact on their businesses. A
highlight of that presentation was the introduction of an online
consent tool developed by Epsilon to help advertisers and
publishers easily comply with the law.
- Improving safeguards in credit and lending – Last year
Comenity and Comenity Capital Bank – the banks behind Alliance
Data's consumer credit programs – invested in a new analytics
software to enhance modeling capabilities for consumers requesting
credit. These improvements build on fair and responsible banking
practices such as unbiased underwriting and credit limits that do
not surpass consumers' "ability to pay." In early 2018 Alliance
Data's card services business also appointed a new chief risk
officer, who led the implementation of a new risk management
framework across the business.
- Building a diverse and inclusive workplace – Alliance
Data continued to make strides in operationalizing a plan to build
a workplace culture of diversity and inclusion. In 2018 a
cross-functional Diversity & Inclusion Council was established
to promote gender and skills diversity and formalize a strategy to
solve key business issues. As a result of these efforts, Alliance
Data was selected for inclusion in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality
Index and also named to the Forbes' Best Employers for
Diversity and Fortune's Best Workplaces for Diversity
lists.
- Using data to drive community investment – In 2018 the
Company continued to advance its three-year goal of investing
$20 million in "Data for Good"
programs that provide measurable impact. For example, over the past
year, Alliance Data invested in expanded data-driven technology at
food banks near Alliance Data associates' communities in and around
Albuquerque, Plano, Chicago and San
Francisco. This technology is helping these organizations
deliver food to people in need in more effective and impactful
ways.
The report also highlighted Alliance Data's strong
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices, with
recognition in the FTSE4 Good Index Series. The series is used by
global investors interested in companies' ESG-related
performance.
To learn more about the Company's existing corporate
responsibility initiatives addressing top priorities, future goals,
and progress, please view the full 2018 Sustainability Report.
About Alliance Data
Alliance Data® (NYSE: ADS) is a leading global
provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving
large, consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys
customized solutions, enhancing the critical customer marketing
experience; the result is measurably changing consumer behavior
while driving business growth and profitability for some of today's
most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its clients create
and increase customer loyalty through solutions that engage
millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using
traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies. An S&P
500, FORTUNE 500 and FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For company
headquartered in Columbus, Ohio,
Alliance Data consists of three businesses that together employ
approximately 20,000 associates at more than 100 locations
worldwide.
Alliance Data's card services business is a provider of
market-leading private label, co-brand, and business credit card
programs. Epsilon® is a leading provider of
multichannel, data-driven technologies and marketing services, and
also includes Conversant®, a leader in personalized
digital marketing. LoyaltyOne® owns and operates the AIR
MILES® Reward Program, Canada's most recognized loyalty program, and
Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty, a
global provider of tailor-made loyalty programs for grocers.
Follow Alliance Data on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram
and YouTube.
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements give our expectations or forecasts of future events and
can generally be identified by the use of words such as "believe,"
"expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "project," "plan,"
"likely," "may," "should" or other words or phrases of similar
import. Similarly, statements that describe our business strategy,
outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are
forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding
additional strategic initiatives, the pending Epsilon transaction
and whether closing conditions for such transaction will be
satisfied or waived and the expected use of proceeds therefrom, our
expected operating results, future economic conditions including
currency exchange rates, future dividend declarations and the
guidance we give with respect to our anticipated financial
performance.
We believe that our expectations are based on reasonable
assumptions. Forward-looking statements, however, are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or
other expectations expressed in this release, and no assurances can
be given that our expectations will prove to have been correct.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
factors set forth in the Risk Factors section in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, which may be
updated in Item 1A of, or elsewhere in, our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q filed for periods subsequent to such Form 10-K. Further
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
pending transaction involving Epsilon, whether such transaction
will be completed, the possibility that closing conditions for the
transaction may not be satisfied or waived, the impact of
additional strategic initiatives on us or our business if any
transactions are undertaken, and whether the benefits of such
transactions can be achieved.
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made,
and we undertake no obligation, other than as required by
applicable law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, subsequent events,
anticipated or unanticipated circumstances or otherwise.
Media Contact:
Alliance Data
Shelley
Whiddon –
Media
214-494-3811
Shelley.whiddon@alliancedata.com
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SOURCE Alliance Data Systems Corporation