PLEASANTON, Calif., March 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackhawk Network, a leading prepaid and payments network, announced today that its chief executive officer and president, Talbott Roche, has been named a recipient of a 2016 PYMNTS Innovator Award in the "Women Driving Innovation in Payments" category. The annual Innovator Awards, conferred by PYMNTS.com, a premier source of news and commentary on payments and the broader commerce ecosystem, recognize significant contributions to the payments industry.

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"This is a well-deserved recognition for Talbott, and we congratulate her on this achievement," said William Y. Tauscher, Blackhawk Network's chairman of the board and head of international. "Her vision and leadership have been important to Blackhawk's success and have contributed significantly to the maturation and evolution of the prepaid and payments industries. Her efforts helped lead to the presence of a variety of prepaid products in third party retail, and helped to expand the availability of prepaid online and via mobile wallets and loyalty programs."

Viewed as among the most prestigious awards in the payments industry, the PYMNTS Innovator Awards boast a rigorous submission, selection and voting process. Nominations were reviewed by a panel of nine judges with expertise in running, funding and launching innovation in payments and commerce.

"I am honored to have been considered among such incredible payments industry leaders, especially so many exceptional women," said Roche. "This award is a singular honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be recognized for my contributions to the payments industry."

Roche and the other category winners received awards in front of more than 700 attendees, including senior payments and commerce executives, at an awards gala dinner on March 17, 2016 during Innovation Project 2016 held at Harvard University's Annenberg Hall.

About Blackhawk Network
Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAWK) is a leading prepaid and payments global company which supports the program management and distribution of gift cards, prepaid telecom products and financial service products in a number of different retail, digital and incentive channels. Blackhawk's digital platform supports prepaid across a network of digital distribution partners including retailers, financial service providers, and mobile wallets. For more information, please visit www.blackhawknetwork.com or product websites Cardpool, Gift Card Lab, Gift Card Mall, GiftCards.com and OmniCard.

About PYMNTS.com
PYMNTS.com is reinventing the way in which companies in payments share relevant information about the initiatives that shape the future of payments and commerce and make news. This powerful B2B platform is a leading site for the payments and broader commerce ecosystem by traffic and a premier source of information about "what's next" in payments. It provides an interactive platform for companies to demonstrate thought leadership, popularize products and, most importantly, capture the mindshare of global decision-makers. PYMNTS.com, where some of the best minds and best content meet on the web to learn "What's Next" in Payments and Commerce.

About the Innovation Project
Over two content-packed days on March 16 and 17, The Innovation Project 2016, powered by PYMNTS.com, will convene thoughtful minds from established players, emerging disruptors and entrepreneurial visionaries in the world of payments and commerce on the campus of Harvard University*. Leading and participating in these discussions will be innovative, thoughtful and dynamic players from their sectors.

*Please note that The Innovation Project(TM) and PYMNTS.com are not affiliated with Harvard University, nor is the Innovation Project(TM) 2016 a Harvard University program or activity.

CONTACT:
Ashley Jackson
ashley@fletchergroupllc.com
719-332-3495

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SOURCE Blackhawk Network