American Express Launches #ExpressThanks Campaign to Celebrate National Employee Appreciation Day

• American Express is encouraging people to stop and take a moment to appreciate their fellow colleagues
• Taraji P. Henson is joining American Express to help celebrate people on National Employee Appreciation Day
• New offerings now available to American Express Corporate Card Members

American Express will launch a new campaign, #ExpressThanks, focused on celebrating colleagues who back each other at work every day. #ExpressThanks kicks off on National Employee Appreciation Day to give everyone – irrespective of industry or company size – a public forum to recognize good work and show appreciation on this day and throughout the year.

#EXPRESSTHANKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
American Express recently announced new Corporate Card offerings specifically for employees – helping companies and employees thrive in the modern working. To continue backing all employees, starting March 6th, American Express is encouraging people to stop and take a moment to appreciate their fellow colleagues through a thoughtful and dynamic social media celebration.

Is there someone in your office who you just can’t imagine getting through the workday without? Or someone on your team that you want to thank for going above and beyond? Give them a shout out! Use #ExpressThanks to share your message of appreciation on social media on March 6th and beyond. While Employee Appreciation Day is one day, let’s keep the appreciation going with #ExpressThanks year-round. Learn more about the #ExpressThanks campaign and sweepstakes by visiting: www.americanexpress.com/expressthanks

“Employees today have a bigger impact on the overall health of businesses than ever before. Our recently reinvented Corporate Card Program focuses on the employee experience and that inspired us to launch this national #ExpressThanks campaign” said Courtney Kelso, Senior Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Commercial Card Products at American Express. “Appreciation can come in multiple forms, but the outcome is always the same: showing appreciation to your colleagues is good for business, and great for people.”

TARAJI P. HENSON SURPRISES EMPLOYEES AND HELPS #EXPRESSTHANKS
Taraji P. Henson, Academy Award nominated actress currently starring on the hit show Empire, as well as an entrepreneur herself, is joining American Express to help celebrate people on National Employee Appreciation Day. Taraji knows how important appreciation can be to workplace culture and has seen it firsthand as an actress, as the owner of TPH by Taraji, her hair care line, and in previous roles working in the corporate arena. On March 6th, Taraji will encourage people to #ExpressThanks through personalized posts on social media. Taraji will also personally recognize employees with her own surprise and delight appreciation notes. 

“Having worked a number of jobs across a variety of industries, I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact of ensuring employees feel appreciated for their work,” said Taraji P. Henson. “I’m excited to join American Express to #ExpressThanks to highlight the importance of showing appreciation for the everyday contributions people make.”

APPRECIATION IS IMPORTANT TO WORKPLACE CULTURE
American Express has long focused on workplace culture. It was announced last month that American Express ranked ninth on the 2020 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list in the U.S., a recognition of the company’s continuous focus on enhancing the colleague experience. The ranking, which was determined based on feedback from employees, marks the 20th year that American Express has been included on the list, earning the company the distinction of being a “Great Place to Work Legend.”

Even small acts of appreciation can have a big impact on workplace culture. According to OC Tanner’s 2020 Global Culture Report, the employee experience experts found that 92% of employees describe their employee experience as their “everyday” experience – meaning that it’s not the once-or-twice-a-year HR initiative, but all the micro-experiences they encounter each and every working day that matter to them. ¹

• Recognizing small wins can have a big impact: By recognizing small wins and efforts along the way, leaders see an 83% increase in engagement and a 136% increase in feeling like a subject matter expert at their organization. A word or note expressing appreciation when a team member puts in extra effort, overcomes an obstacle, innovates, helps a peer, or goes above and beyond provides extra encouragement and motivation to succeed.

BACKING EMPLOYEES THROUGH THE AMERICAN EXPRESS CORPORATE PROGRAM
American Express’ reimagined Corporate Card Program is designed to help employees improve their everyday experience and help their companies thrive by offering benefits that help bring added peace of mind, ease business travel as well as provide personal perks. In addition to the new benefits launched last fall with Uber, CLEAR and Hilton, as of this month American Express Corporate Card Members can now access these additional offerings:

• Uber Eats: Start earning extra reward points with Uber Rewards when you use Uber Eats for business. As an American Express® Green, Gold or Platinum Corporate Card Member, you’ll now earn 3x the standard rate of Uber reward points on Uber Eats orders, that’s in addition to the 2x the standard rate of Uber reward points on rides announced last fall. All you need to do is join Uber Rewards, request a ride or place an Eats order on your business profile, and charge to your Corporate Card. Redeem your points for rewards you can use on personal rides, Uber Eats orders, and more.
• LoungeBuddy: Get a taste of the lounge life with your American Express® Corporate Gold Card. Purchase airport lounge access through LoungeBuddy to any of the lounges in the LoungeBuddy network – no memberships, elite statuses, or first-class tickets required. You’ll receive up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year on your LoungeBuddy purchases.

¹OC Tanner Institute, 2020 Global Culture Report, September 2019

For more details on the American Express Corporate Card Program, visit: www.AmericanExpress.com/Corporate.

To learn more about #ExpressThanks, visit: www.americanexpress.com/expressthanks

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.