The pro-Skopje diaspora organisation ‘United Macedonian Diaspora’ has moved into the financial services market, launching its own Visa Platinum Rewards Card.
Featuring a Roman portrait of Alexander the Great amongst other designs, proceeds from the credit card says the ‘UMD’, “will be used towards the various advocacy, educational, and charitable programs UMD has established to help foster unity among Macedonian people, and advance their cause.”
The card offers access to online banking, car rental and travel insurance amongst other benefits.
Cardholders, who can earn redeemable rewards points by shopping at participating retailers, are invited to “show your United Macedonian Diaspora support and pride by choosing one of our customized card designs”.
The card’s promoters also extol its virtues of having 24/7 emergency customer service and “the security of fraud protection”.
When asked for his reaction to the ‘UMD”s latest marketing foray and the use of Alexander the Great’s image, Peter Jasonides, the Victorian Coordinator of the Australian Hellenic Council called it “yet another provocation”.
“I am of the belief that they should spend their time on educating themselves on history and their roots, rather than deluding themselves. They should not be ashamed of their cultural heritage; they should embrace it,” he told Neos Kosmos.
The AHC are considering making a formal complaint to Visa on the use of the Alexander image.