MEDIA CONTACT: SSG Mark Matthews
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-006
RELEASE DATE: February 26, 2013

DALLAS – Sports fans understand the importance of loyalty, sacrifice, and devotion better than most and the Exchange wants to see their spirit in action. Whether it’s a great tailgating experience, your best friends spelling out” D-FENCE” in the freezing cold,  or just you and your family basking in the glory of a hard fought win. Show off your team spirit, send us a photo, and you could win a Sharp 60” LED TV.  

The Exchange’s “Show Us Your Team Spirit” contest sponsored by Sharp, Jack Links, Just Born and Hershey, begins March 4 and authorized customers have until April 10 to submit their spirited photos. For complete rules and a link to the contests Facebook App go to shopmyexchange.com/patriotfamily.

“There are some huge sports fans out there, and we want them to share their experiences with us,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson. “This contest, through social media, will show the passion these fans have for their teams. It should be really exciting”

To enter upload a digital photograph of yourself, alone or with friends or family members showing your team spirit to the Exchange’s Facebook contest application. Five winners will be randomly selected. Prizes include a Sharp 60” LED TV or 1 of 4 Exchange gift cards valued at $250 each. 

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact SSG Mark Matthews, 214-312-4273 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-00d
RELEASE DATE: February 20, 2013

DALLAS – Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye, Hulk, and Black Widow are all making their way to military installations around the world via one million free comic books published exclusively for the Armed Forces by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Marvel Custom Solutions.

The new full-color comic, titled “Double Vision,” opens five years in the future, with the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes locked into a desperate battle with the hi-tech terrorist group Hydra, who are finally on the brink of conquering America itself. But when the rebellious Hawkeye begins asking the wrong questions, can the Avengers uncover a sinister conspiracy before it’s too late?

“We are thrilled that the Exchange and Marvel continue to work together to provide these complimentary comics to military members serving our country at home and abroad,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson. “We could not have imagined when the first military-only comic came out in 2005 that, eight years later, the 14^th installment in the series would be shipping out.”

“Everyone at Marvel considers the members of the Armed Forces our true heroes, so we’ve assembled a top tier creative team to deliver 22 pages of action and adventure in the Mighty Marvel Manner,” said Editor Bill Rosemann. “Thanks to writer William Harms and artist Tom Grummett, you’ll see Captain America sling his shield, Thor hurl his hammer…and the Hulk eat hamburgers! Only the men and women of the US military can get this collector’s item issue, and best of all, it’s free!”

The Avengers in “Double Vision” is currently available at Exchanges worldwide.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit marvel.com. 

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-004
RELEASE DATE: February 15, 2013

DALLAS – An individual or individuals claiming to be “Exchange Inc.” have been placing advertisements in auto magazines and commercial newspapers, leading Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers to believe they’re purchasing a vehicle through the Department of Defense (DoD) retailer.

“This has been a problem for the past few months where someone is using the Exchange’s trademarked logo and name without permission to purportedly sell vehicles in the United States,” said Rick Koloski, the Exchange’s loss prevention vice president. “Unfortunately, some have sent money only to receive nothing in return.”

Despite the fact that military exchanges do not have the authority to sell vehicles in the continental United States, the individuals responsible for these advertisements have left consumers with the impression they are doing business with the DoD’s oldest and largest exchange service.

“This type of fraud has proliferated with the use of the internet and continues to be a challenge because oftentimes the perpetrator cannot be identified as the methods they utilize are not traceable back to any individual,” said Koloski. “In fact, in a most recent case, money grams sent by one couple were picked up in Bangladesh, indicating this crime goes well beyond US borders.”

Shoppers who believe that they may have been taken advantage of can file a complaint through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.  

Exchange facilities are located solely on military installations. While the Exchange does have mail order and Internet offerings, the Exchange does not advertise in civilian outlets such as metropolitan newspapers or automobile sales magazines. All advertisements for legitimate Exchange offerings are published in outlets whose audiences are mostly comprised of military members.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].