Canadians invited to unleash their inner artist and to have a chance to
design the next American Express ad

Selected winner's ad to be featured as part of the American Express Realize The Potential campaign

MARKHAM, ON, Oct. 27 /CNW/ - American Express is giving people the opportunity to realize their artistic potential by putting their own creative spin on an American Express advertisement, and a chance to win a trip for two to New York and to have their ad featured in the company's ad campaign.

Online, users can interact with a unique Facebook® application to design their ad and then share their masterpiece at www.facebook.com/americanexpresscanada until November 15. In person, people can try their hand at using a digital canvas to create an ad at different locations around Toronto next week.

Actor and comedian Colin Mochrie will be hosting a kick-off event for the promotion at the Bay-Adelaide Centre at 333 Bay St. in Toronto on Tuesday, November 2^nd from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.   Along with consumers, Mochrie will try his hand at designing his own "masterpiece."

"Our advertising campaign, Realize The Potential, encourages people to pursue their passions," said Tina Santoro, Brand Manager, American Express Canada.  "This is a fun way to unleash the inner artist in us all."

Visit www.facebook.com/americanexpresscanada until November 15, 2010.  The winner will be announced after November, 17^th. 

About American Express in Canada

American Express in Canada operates as Amex Bank of Canada and Amex Canada Inc. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of the New York based American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., the largest operating unit of the American Express Company. Amex Bank of Canada is the issuer of American Express Cards in Canada. Amex Canada Inc. operates the Corporate Travel, Travel Services Network and Travellers Cheques divisions in Canada. American Express opened its first offices in Toronto and Hamilton in 1853 and now employs 3,700 Canadians coast-to-coast.

Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.

For further information:

Killeen Kelly on behalf of American Express Canada, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected] ;
Jessica Myers, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]