Leading K-12 creative coding platform also launches special “Gaming Edition” to be distributed via Blackhawk's vast global gift card network

Global branded payments provider Blackhawk Network has partnered with Tynker to expand the creative coding platform’s gift card program, which will now feature eGift options offered on GiftCardMall.com and GiftCards.com among other top digital retailers. Beginning January 2022, Tynker gift cards will also be sold in-stores at leading retailers. Tynker is one of the world’s leading K-12 creative coding platforms enabling students of all ages to develop the coding skills to design and power animations, games, music, robots and drones, smart devices, virtual worlds like Minecraft, and more.

“Tynker is one of the first brands of its kind offered within our expansive portfolio at a time when digital content programs and streaming are at an all-time high,” said Brett Narlinger, head of global commerce, Blackhawk Network. “In addition to being able to help Tynker expand its reach and scale through our global network, this expansion of content drives even further value and choice for Blackhawk’s distribution partners and their customers.”

Featuring exclusive content, Tynker gift cards will be available for both the “Learn to Code” program — a six-month, all access pass to more than 1,000 hours of fun, award-winning coding content (offered at $79) — and a special “Gaming Edition” that includes six-month access to special courses and activities for game design with modding and skins for Minecraft (priced at $49). Blackhawk will distribute Tynker’s physical gift cards via multiple high-volume channels across the country.

“Coding is an essential skill set for kids today and our focus is on helping parents find the right coding program for their child,” said Srinivas Mandyam, co-founder and CTO of Tynker. “Through our partnership with Blackhawk, we are now able to deliver a robust, expanded gift card program that will help increase our reach and overall awareness among parents, ultimately enabling our programming courses to support and engage more kids.”

Ninety-seven percent of teachers surveyed state that they have personally seen children who learn to code develop additional academic, critical-thinking and executive functioning skills.¹ Tynker’s award-winning platform helps kids learn to code at home, school and on the go to help them be successful today and in the future.

For more information about Blackhawk’s comprehensive gift card portfolio and capabilities, visit www.blackhawknetwork.com.

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network delivers branded payment solutions through the prepaid products, technologies and network that connect brands and people. We collaborate with our partners to innovate, translating market trends in branded payments to increase reach, loyalty and revenue. We reliably execute security-minded solutions worldwide. Join us as we shape the future of global branded payments. Learn more at blackhawknetwork.com.

About Tynker

Tynker is one of the world’s leading K-12 creative coding platforms, enabling students of all ages to develop the coding skills to design and power animations, games, music, robots and drones, smart devices, virtual worlds like Minecraft, and more. The company’s award-winning platform helps kids engage at home, school, and on the go, while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and programming skills to help them be successful today and tomorrow. Tynker’s highly successful coding curriculum has been used by one in three U.S. K-8 schools, 100,000 schools globally, and over 60 million kids across 150 countries. Tynker’s partners include some of the world’s most respected brands, including Apple, BBC Learning, Google, Microsoft, Mattel, PBS, Lego, NASA, and more. Tynker is accessible from any computer with an Internet browser, as well as via the Tynker and Tynker Junior mobile apps, and offers both free and paid subscription options. For more information, visit http://www.tynker.com.

¹ Survey was conducted by Tynker in August 2021. The sample size included 139 teachers and 1,055 parents.

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