Letter to MasterCard International, Sept. 9, 2002

Mr. Robert W. Selander
President and Chief Executive Officer
MasterCard International, Inc.

Dear Mr. Selander:

I am writing to commend MasterCard for a current print advertisement, part of the "priceless" advertising campaign, that mentions restaurants. A member of the National Restaurant Association alerted me to the advertisement, which uses the phrase "your favorite restaurant" as the example of priceless (advertisement enclosed).

As you well know, restaurants play an essential role in Americans' lives, and the National Restaurant Association works aggressively to advance and promote the restaurant-and-foodservice industry as the cornerstone of the nation's economy, career opportunities and community involvement. Meals prepared in the nation's 858,000 restaurant have become a staple of our diet. No longer are restaurant visits saved for special occasions, but have become an integral part of our increasingly busy lives. Time previously spent cooking can now be spent with family and friends instead.

However, you would be surprised by some of the negative and inaccurate portrayals of restaurants and their employees that I have seen, including those in product advertisements for unrelated industries and in the media. Undoubtedly, that is why the individual who pointed out the advertisement to me took the time to do so, and why I wanted to take the time to commend MasterCard. It is refreshing to see restaurants depicted in the favorable light they deserve.

Thank you for your responsible presentation of our industry!

Sincerely,

Steven C. Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer
National Restaurant Association