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NEW Introduces Innovative Options for Extended Service Plans at CES

"With the interconnected world we live in today, the needs of the customer are constantly changing. We recognize this and, through our research and focus groups, we know consumers are looking for robust protection for their technology that extends beyond yesterday's break-fix service plan model," said Tony Nader, NEW president and CEO. "We want the customers to realize the value of their service plan from day one of purchase, and we provide them with options to enhance the enjoyment of their product beyond the point of sale. NEW is dedicated to providing our retail partners and consumers with a comprehensive suite of unparalleled product protection services from 24/7/365 tech support to technology buyback programs to service and replacement options."

Beyond the service plan

At CES, NEW seeks to educate consumers about the added benefits that service plans provide beyond the traditional break-fix model. These are some new features and options available to retailers:

• Gaming Bundles – With the purchase of NEW service plans on popular gaming consoles, the consumer has the option to purchase additional video games over the term of the service plan and have those protected as well, providing additional entertainment value.
• Registration Incentives - NEW also provides registration incentives and upgrade options for consumers who register their service plans online. Upon registering, consumers can take advantage of free offers and upgrades including buyback programs, identity theft protection and various tech support services, such as free virus removal and data backup.
• Monthly Billing – NEW provides consumers with flexibility surrounding the money they put forth to protect their products. With monthly billing, consumers who are budget-conscious are able to protect their products with smaller installment payments over the course of the contract.
• Tablet Plan Coverage - NEW has customized its offerings to meet the needs of the consumer on the go, with coverage of accidental damage from handling as well as registration incentives. NEW has recognized the unique product protection needs surrounding tablet computers and an upward trend in the amount of tablet repairs, which can cost 50 to 100 percent of the tablet's original price.
• Tech Solutions – Looking beyond the physical protection of electronics, NEW service plans also provide consumers with select tech support solutions from online troubleshooting to virus protection through its partnership with PlumChoice, the pioneer in delivery of remote technical solutions. Outside of service plans, NEW also offers pure tech support plans providing a broad array of tech support options ranging from diagnostics, peripheral and Facebook setup, and virus and malware removal to hardware configuration, data backup, PC tune-ups, and more.

The pioneer and leading innovator in the service plan industry for nearly 30 years, NEW provides comprehensive customer care to more than 150 million consumers worldwide. With a network of more than 35,000 qualified service professionals, access to a vast parts network and 4,000 dedicated customer care representatives, NEW is able to obtain consumer feedback that helps it improve its service offering year after year and consistently add new features that provide consumers with extra value.

"Our goal is to increase consumer awareness about the benefits of service plans and change the notion that service plans only deliver value if a product breaks," said Rob DiRocco, NEW vice president of sales, marketing and product development. "Today's service plan provides a turnkey solution for the continued enjoyment and protection of consumer electronics, and we hope that we are able to communicate this long-term value to consumers, especially in an age of conscious consumption and frugal spending."

See more information about the additional benefits of service plans in The Savvy Shopper Blog press kit.

NEW will be exhibiting in booth #8653 at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 10-13. View more information about NEW at CES in its online press kit.

About N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, LLC (NEW)

NEW, together with its affiliates and member companies, is the leading global provider of extended service plans, buyer protection services and product support, providing coverage to more than 150 million consumers around the world. Founded in 1983, with headquarters in Sterling, Va., NEW provides award-recognized post-sale consumer care for leading retailers, consumer service providers, wireless carriers and financial services firms in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Turkey and the United Kingdom. NEW delivers a comprehensive customer care solution that begins on day one of the product purchase and extends through the end of the product life cycle. For more information, please visit NEW at http://www.newcorp.com or call 1-800 WHAT'S NEW (1-800-942-8763).

Focused Image (for NEW)
Kristina Messner, 703-739-8803
kmessner@focusedimage.com