WASHINGTON: Transaction Network Services (TNS), a UK-based
electronic processor of financial data, has named Environics
Communications as its PR agency of record for the US market.
TNS, a privately held company based in Reston, VA, provides data
communications for financial transactions such as point-of-sale credit
and debit cards, remote ATM networking, healthcare, and other electronic
benefits. TNS also approves telephone calling cards and wireless prepaid
calling cards, and processes financial exchange transactions. TNS holds
more than a 70% share of the US market, and is also a market leader in
the UK.
TNS had its UK agency, Ptarmigan, identify tech agencies in the Northern
Virginia area that could handle the account. Clare Gibson, TNS' vice
president of marketing, said that only two agencies were contacted to
bid on their business. She declined to identify the other agency or
reveal contractual or budget information.
The account will focus on media relations, tradeshow support, and
placement of speakers, and will target ATM, financial services, and
telecommunications industries.
TNS was owned by PSINet, until that company fell on hard times. TNS was
one of the companies put on the auction block, and it was sold to GTCR
Golder Rauner, a UK-based private equity firm, for $285 million.
