MasterCard Worldwide and The Home Depot Announce ’$100,000 Backyard Retreat’ Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes Winner to Receive the Ultimate Backyard Renovation
Purchase, NY,- MasterCard Worldwide® and The Home Depot® today announced the launch of the “$100,000 Backyard Retreat Sweepstakes,” in which one lucky consumer will win $100,000, which may be used toward the backyard of their dreams.

U.S. MasterCard cardholders are automatically entered for a chance to win a $100,000 Backyard Retreat each time they use their MasterCard cards at The Home Depot between April 23 and June 23, 2007. Consumers automatically receive double sweepstakes entries when using The Home Depot Rewards MasterCard or The Home Depot Business Rewards MasterCard cards.

“With summer fast approaching, many of us look forward to spending more time outdoors, enjoying quality time with family and friends,” said Gareth Forsey, group executive, U.S. Commerce Development, MasterCard Worldwide. “By partnering with The Home Depot for this exciting sweepstakes, a lucky cardholder will be rewarded with the ultimate backyard to host family and friends for an unforgettable summer this year and beyond.”

MasterCard and The Home Depot will provide the means to create a supreme backyard retreat that could include flowing water fountains, a beautiful gazebo and outdoor furniture, as well as a luxurious outdoor kitchen complete with a state-of-the-art grill. All of these items are available for purchase at The Home Depot and www.homedepot.com as part of its Outdoor Living event, showcasing the season’s most innovative products for outdoor enjoyment.

“Extending living spaces to the outdoors is one of the hottest trends we see this year at The Home Depot, so we know this will be a timely reward for our loyal customers,” said Bill Boltz, vice president of Outdoor Living Merchandising for The Home Depot. “In teaming up with MasterCard to present this sweepstakes, we will be introducing new products and concepts that transform an ordinary backyard into a backyard retreat, ideal for relaxing or hosting a barbecue.”

MasterCard and The Home Depot are supporting the promotion with a fully-integrated media platform which will encompass print, online and radio and will appear in publications including: Better Homes & Garden®, Real Simple®, and Ladies Home Journal®. The Home Depot is also supporting the promotion with point-of-sale materials in more than 2,000 retail stores nationwide.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. PIN-based & international transactions not eligible. Grand Prize awarded as one-time payment of $100,000. Starts 4/23/07. Ends 6/23/07. Restrictions apply. Visit www.homedepot.com/mastercard or call 1-800-MC-ASSIST for Official Rules and Alternate Entry details.