Let's Talk Loyalty

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Virgin Red is the exciting new loyalty programme launched to reward customers across the entire group of Virgin companies with their new currency - Virgin Points.This episode features Kelly Best, Chief Marketing Officer of Virgin Red, who shares the unique selling points of the new programme, how it benefits members of the existing Virgin Flying Club, and their ambitious plans for world domination and a goal to engage the 35 million customers of Virgin companies worldwide.Kelly shares the insights that led to partnerships with popular UK brands such as Gregg's sausage rolls, as well as the comprehensive portfolio of earn and burn ideas that make this "Virgin Red" programme as exciting and disruptive as the Virgin brand deserves.This episode is sponsored by Valuedynamx.(Part of Collinson Group)Show Notes:1) Kelly Best 2) Virgin Red

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. This summary features the key lessons I learned from Jesper Østergaard, Managing Director of the 7-Eleven chain of stores in Denmark, which in 2019 won the prestigious title of the “International Convenience Retailer of the Year”.Jesper has spent many years revolutionising the 7-Eleven business in Denmark, from a kiosk business to now a successful food service business selling healthy lunch options that customers increasingly want, as well as building the 7-Eleven brand as another essential building block for consumer loyalty.In this short show, I summarise some of the great management lessons Jesper has learnt in his career so far, and some of the amazing loyalty programmes around the world that he is looking to for inspiration for his own strategy.Show Notes1) Jesper Østergaard - 7-Eleven 2) Let's Talk Loyalty #10 - Loyalty in 7-Eleven Denmark with Managing Director Jesper Østergaard3) Reitan Convenience4) NACS International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award5) NACS Europe

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. In early 2020, On Point Loyalty published a research report on the "Top 100 Most Valuable Airline Loyalty Programs" in the world, insights which proved remarkably relevant throughout the year as major US airlines began leveraging their programs to raise funds throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.In this episode, industry expert Evert de Boer explains some of the reasons why the financial power and true value of airline loyalty programs has been relatively hidden until now, and highlights some the dramatic changes that are taking place in the industry. He shatters some myths about the value of flight reward seats, as well as his experience on how C Suite Airline Executives are taking a fresh look at these valuable assets that have been hidden in plain sight in most airlines until now.Show Notes:1) Evert de Boer 2) OnPoint Loyalty 3) Free Report: The"Top 100 Most Valuable Airline Loyalty Programs"

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. This episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty" reviews some of the fascinating insights from my interview with Leanne Papaioannou, founder of the "Chilli Pepper" loyalty agency in Ireland.Show Notes:1) Chilli Pepper Loyalty Marketing Agency 2) Leanne Papaioannou3) Full episode recording: Let's Talk Loyalty #8: Lessons from a Loyalty Expert: Leanne Papaioanno‪u

As the platform powering loyalty programmes for Walgreens, Dell, Marriott Hotels and many others, Epsilon is uniquely placed to comment on global trends in loyalty as we settle in to 2021. Today's episode features an interview with Ashish Sinha, who shares some great insights from his role as Managing Director for Epsilon in Asia Pacific, including his increased focus on the Middle East region. We share stories of innovative loyalty initiatives in eCommerce, as well as some key loyalty principles he is seeing, such as consumer demand for trust and real relationships with brands beyond just transactions.This episode is sponsored by Epsilon.Show Notes:1) Ashish Sinha - Managing Director - Epsilon APAC & MEA2) Epsilon APAC 3) Coca Cola Insider's Club 4) Dell Talks Loyalty & Gamification - Episode #46 of "Let's Talk Loyalty"

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Helène Brand is a freelance marketing consultant whose experience includes responsibilities for a community-based loyalty program in South Africa called “ My School, My Village, My Planet” which won 8 international awards.Helène herself was named "Loyalty Personality of the Year" in 2015 and this short summary discusses her approach to loyalty which includes balancing both transactional and emotional loyalty.We also discuss her passion for storytelling as a powerful tool for business and loyalty marketing professionals and some great examples of innovative loyalty concepts in South Africa.Show Notes: 1) Let's Talk Loyalty #7: Award-winning Loyalty Success and Storytelling in South Afric‪a‬2) Helène Brand 3) Global Citizen

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. In late 2020, Dubai enjoyed the launch of its newest loyalty programme in the fuel, food and convenience retail space.Yes Rewards is a programme designed to drive customer lifetime value by incentivising cross-sell across its extensive portfolio of brands.Despite the unique challenges of the pandemic, Suryaveer Singh successfully launched the Yes Rewards programme and in this interview, he shares the challenges, solutions and intention behind the programme, as well as some of their early successes.Listen to this episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty" to enjoy some new ideas from this ambitious programme and respected regional brand - truly a global voice of loyalty.This episode is sponsored by Comarch.Show Notes:1) Suryaveer Singh - Head of Loyalty at ENOC2) Yes Rewards - Fuel & Convenience loyalty programme by ENOC3) Emirates National Oil Company 4) “Switch it up” article on Chipotle's loyalty strategy to incentivise new product trial

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Today's five minute episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty" showcases insights from Manav Fernandez, a leading loyalty practitioner here in the Middle East, and summarises some innovative ideas from an unusual industry - the education sector.Hear the insights from this unique programme called Gems Rewards, which has already helped families save over 50 million dirhams ($15 million) towards their school fees.Listen and enjoy this short summary of Manav's key success principles for loyalty or click below to listen to the full interview.Show Notes:1) Original Interview: Award-winning Loyalty and Insights from the Middle East - Let's Talk Loyalty #52) Manav Fernandes 3) Quick Brown Brown Consulting

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. A key challenge for loyalty program owners is accurately predicting their loyalty program liability years ahead in the future, and how to plan their program from a financial perspective to optimise the lifetime value of their customers.Today's guest, Len Llaguno, specialises in leveraging the art, science and modelling skills of his actuarial toolbox to predict consumer behaviour to advise key investment and financial strategies for some of the world's largest loyalty programs.Kyros Insights are uniquely experienced in loyalty liability management, predicting customer lifetime value and advising brands on the potential impact of major program changes to ensure the optimum commercial performance of any loyalty program, particularly in these unprecedented times.Listen to this masterclass in loyalty from a financial perspective to access specialised insights for your program that your finance teams will love.Show Notes:1) Len Llaguno - Actuary for Loyalty Programs | Founder and Managing Partner at KYROS Insights2) Kyros Insights - Actuaries Helping Loyalty Programs3) Kyros Academy - Learn to optimize your loyalty program liability4) 7 Loyalty Program Tactics for Financial Recovery CFO's Will Love 5) Free Loyalty Actuarial Roadmap - Assessment

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Mike Atkin has built or advised over eighty-five loyalty programmes worldwide in his extensive career, leading to his industry title as "The Loyalty Guru".Listen to this episode of "Let's Talk a LITTLE Loyalty" for a short summary of my interview with Mike, his key insights on what loyalty programme managers are doing well and key learnings on opportunities he says are still being missed.Show Notes:1) Lets Talk Loyalty - Interview with Mike Atkin The Loyalty Guru2) Lets Talk Loyalty - Interview with Mike Atkin The Loyalty Guru on Apple Podcasts

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Today's episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty" features the latest loyalty research with consumers in Australia, conducted by Customology, the "most awarded data and loyalty agency in APAC".It highlights some shocking facts, such as the belief that new customers are treated better than existing ones, their views on how brands communicate with them, as well as the complete absence of communication from many brands who capture data but then don't use it.Mark James is the CEO of Customology, so together we discuss some back-to-basics principles of building customer relationships in a bid to create "customers for life".Show Notes:1) Mark James2) Customology3) The Unspoken Customer

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. 3Plus was recognised as " Ireland's Best Loyalty Ireland" so this episode is a summary of my interview with Siobhan Lynch who manages it.Listen to learn how this innovative partnership proposition is used to retain customers of the 3 mobile phone network and how the programme has evolved to become a profitable media business.Show Notes: 1) Let's Talk Loyalty - Interview with Siobhán Lynch - 3Plus 2) Award-winning loyalty in Ireland - on Apple Podcasts 3) Let's Talk a LITTLE Loyalty - Summary of my Interview with Siobhan Lynch of 3Plus on YouTube

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. This show discusses exciting global perspectives on what the year 2021 might hold for loyalty marketing, featuring four colleagues from The Customer Strategy Network (CSN) - a group of independent loyalty industry experts of which I am a founding partner.These predictions were first written and published by The Wise Marketer, and feature predictions on data and privacy trends across Europe as well as insights from Australia where funding models have fundamentally changed for the whole loyalty industry.It features insights on the increasing convergence of loyalty and payments, as well as my own predictions for the year ahead from all of my own analysis, research and recent interviews.Listen to hear our expert predictions on the future of Loyalty Marketing in 2021.Show Notes:1) Loyalty Predictions Article - The Wise Marketer 2) Nick Chambers - Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional (CLMP) - Director at Mobile Loyalty Technologies Ltd3) Richard Button - Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional (CLMP) - Director at ELIAS Partnership and Managing Director at Citizen Heart, ELIAS Partnership4) Simon Rowles - Managing Director at Beyonde5) Paula Thomas - Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional (CLMP) - Loyalty Podcast Host

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Today's podcast summarises key learnings from a loyalty leader in India.Sanjeev Nichani has led loyalty programmes, partnerships and propositions for an award-winning fashion retail loyalty programme called Raymond Rewards, as well as developing nationwide programmes for respected brands such as Taj Hotels.Listen to this short summary of those exciting loyalty programmes and insights on loyalty marketing in India. See below for links to the full interview.Show Notes1) Let's Talk Loyalty - Episode 2 - Interview with Raymond Rewardz - Sanjeev Nichani2) Loyalty Interview with Sanjeev Nichani on Apple Podcasts

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As one of the world's most iconic retail brands, Ikea boasts 156 million members of its Family Club worldwide - a programme that brings the very best of the Ikea brand to its customers.Today's episode features an interview with Aaron Mitchell, Ikea's Global Vice President of Loyalty who shares the loyalty proposition that's already driving the extraordinary success of the club as well as some of the latest insights and innovations being launched in test markets around the world.Aaron talks through the importance of key principles such as trust, community and the importance of ensuring your loyalty programme is designed to show the brand's loyalty TO your customers, rather than first expecting it from them!Listen to this first episode of 2021 to enjoy a masterclass in the marketing and management mindset that is needed to drive success at such scale.Show Notes:1) Aaron Mitchell - Global VP Customer Engagement & Loyalty2) Ikea.com3) RGA - Marketing Agency

Today I am announcing my new short format podcast – called “Let’s Talk (a Little) Loyalty”.This show is my new weekly episode - a simple five-minute summary of the key learnings from a previous show that you might have missed.If you only have five minutes to spare, these short shows will each summarize my key learnings from a previous guest.This show is being released every Tuesday here on the “Let’s Talk Loyalty” podcast channel in response to demand from our growing audience of loyalty professionals around the world.Show Notes:1) Let's Talk a LITTLE Loyalty - Youtube video

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As we come to the end of 2020, we explore the little-known concept of “mindful marketing” and how it relates to loyalty through an interview with Maths Mathisen, founder & CEO of an innovative app built to drive loyalty for brands with students, a notoriously difficult demographic to target, particularly in the age of digital distraction and addiction.The HOLD app uses the power of gamification to help FMCG brands and convenience retailers compete in the “war of attention” highlighted in the Netflix documentary “the Social Dilemma”, and it is hugely successful in Norway where 50% of third level students use it!Listen to this final episode of “Let’s Talk Loyalty” for a fascinating discussion on using social mechanics and the power of purpose to build a tribe for your loyalty programme, with exciting lessons from an extraordinary Scandinavian success story.Show Notes:1) Maths Mathisen - CEO & Co-founder at Hold AS2) HOLD App3) Netflix Documentary – The Social Dilemma

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Today's episode of Let's Talk Loyalty features some important concepts that go back the basics of how companies connect with their customers, featuring an interview with Ali Cudby, best selling author of "Keep Your Customers" - who focuses on driving customer loyalty in small and medium-sized companies in the US.Ali introduces simple yet powerful concepts that are often neglected as companies grow, including the importance of a customer-facing mission statement and key policies to guide customer engagement in a way that drives "lucrative loyalty".We discuss the increasing trend for paid loyalty with renewal-based businesses and subscription options emerging in new and unexpected sectors, as well as important insights on the concept of "hidden revenue" - an effective tool that can drive true customer loyalty in a way that most companies neglect.As one of our closing episodes of 2020, we share some hopes and goals for 2021 as the "new normal" begins to unfold.Show Notes: 1) Ali Cudby - Managing Director, Alignmint Strategies 2) Cluster Truck Food Delivery 3) Soapbox - Hygiene Products with a Social Mission

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. On World Statistics Day, a group of experienced loyalty marketers in India collated their favourite loyalty statistics to help define what success looks like for a loyalty programme in practise. Mala Raj is a seasoned loyalty consultant who detailed some broad yet useful benchmarks for what loyalty marketers should be considering a good or great result.From member activity rates, to the lift in member value, potential reductions in member churn and overall program penetration, we showcase why and how loyalty can be held accountable to the business, ensuring both quantitative and qualitative measurements are considered.Mala also highlights some unique approaches and challenges to building loyalty programmes in India and introduces us to some of the market leaders who each boast hundreds of millions of members.Listen to this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty for some fascinating insights from another great global voice of loyalty.Show Notes: 1) Mala Raj - Strategic Caravan, India 2) Adam Posner - Customer Loyalty & Loyalty Program Specialist3) Flipkart - eCommerce Marketplace India4) Brian Almeida - Founder Partner at Strategic Caravan5) Loyalty Statistics - summary published by Mala Raj on World Statistics Day6) Shoppers Stop Department Stores & First Citizen Loyalty Programme

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As CEO of Asia Miles, Paul Smitton is a loyalty industry veteran, and in today's episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty", he shares some exciting insights, innovative ideas and some fond memories.From his "baptism of fire" building Air New Zealand's first loyalty programme in 1991, through an impressive career in senior roles in both airline and loyalty technology firms, Paul is continuing to create compelling concepts for the Asia Miles programme, focusing on delighting customers.With new investments in blockchain-based concepts, to the use of messaging platforms such as Whatsapp, as well as integrating the Asia Miles programme in to selected dining and eCommerce partners in Hong Kong, this coalition programme was perhaps one of the most prepared for the pandemic that none of us predicted!Listen to this week's episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty" for a masterclass in customer focus and a true loyalty mindset.This episode is sponsored by Valuedynamx. ( Part of Collinson Group)Show Notes:1) Paul Smitton - CEO Asia Miles2) Asia Miles loyalty programme

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Today Let's Talk Loyalty looks at how loyalty as it's evolving academically as I interview Assistant Professor of Marketing at Emory University, Dan McCarthy, who researches key marketing topics that loyalty marketers love, such as customer lifetime value.McCarthy now writes and lectures extensively on customer lifetime value as well as a new concept "customer based corporate valuation" and his work appears in major academic and business media outlets including the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, FT and CFO Magazine.In addition to his academic career, he has extensive commercial experience supporting companies like Nike with their customer insights and strategies. His latest company Theta Equity Partners is also successfully commercialising his knowledge of customer loyalty.In this interview, he also shares his latest insights on the Pareto Principle as well as the consumer behaviour changes he sees emerging in early statistical data as a result of Covid 19.Listen to this latest episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty" to hear the latest insights from the academic world of loyalty marketing.Show Notes:1) Daniel McCarthy of Emory University - Assistant Professor of Marketing at Emory University2) Twitter: @d_mccar3) Harvard Business Review January 2020 Report - The Loyalty Economy4) Theta Equity Partners5) Professor Byron Sharp

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As the market leader providing telecoms services to over 37 million people in South Africa, Vodacom is an award-winning consumer brand that launched an exciting new loyalty programme called Vodabucks in August 2020.Designed to recognise, reward and drive key behaviours across all consumer segments of the business, the programme is part of an ambitious plan to expand the business "from a telco to a techco".Listen to this episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty" to hear my conversation with the man behind the programme, Jorge Mendes, who shares his goals and challenges to win customers hearts and minds in an intensely competitive market where SIM swapping between networks is commonplace.Vodabucks is truly an exciting programme that leverages the best loyalty concepts from around the world, that's built in partnership with a portfolio of brands across the country using gamification to engage customers and truly drive profitable behaviour for the business.Show Notes:1) Jorge Mendes - Chief Officer: Consumer Business, Vodacom Group Exco Member2) Vodacom 3) Vodabucks loyalty programme

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Every loyalty programme owner has invested in capturing the attention and interest of its members, and that attention is often much more valuable than the business realises.In this episode of LetsTalkLoyalty, we chat to WeAreSonder, a media agency dedicated to professionally valuing OWNED media channels and ecosystems, such as the channels created by loyalty programme owners.From American Express to Virgin Australia, this interview discusses case studies of some of the incredible work that is being done around the world to unlock billions of dollars of media value that is often left untapped.If you are not yet measuring the value of the media assets within your loyalty programme, this episode will be fascinating, and offers key insights on how best these assets can be valued and commercialised, either now or in the future.Show Notes:1) Jonathan Hopkins - Founding Partner - Sonder2) WeAreSonder.com3) Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Yuu Rewards has taken the Hong Kong Market by storm. Launched in July 2020, this innovative coalition programme connects ten brands and over 2,000 stores, and has already recruited an incredible two million members in its first month - a superb result in a city of eight million people.In this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty, I interview Mark Sage to learn the key challenges of launching a coalition programme in multiple languages, with real time points allocation across fifty POS systems, replacing existing programmes in key partner brands, amidst a pandemic!From cheesy tunes, to compelling creative, Mark shares the exciting journey of launching this fully personalised coalition programme that is delighting Hong Kong customers.Show Notes:1) Mark Sage - Chief Operating Officer, Yuu Rewards, Hong Kong2) YuuRewards3) YuuRewards Launch Song

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. BP is one of the world's largest oil companies, operating over 18,700 service stations and running loyalty programmes in over twenty countries worldwide.In this episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty", I chat to Olivier Martinet who has led BP's loyalty initiatives for over twenty six years. He shares how he approaches the development of digital platforms and loyalty programmes according to the market's needs, maturity and challenges, with a laser focus on being relevant to consumers.We discuss the importance of global standards and the need to drive loyalty "beyond points", leveraging mass personalised programmes that can effectively drive consumer behaviour.This episode is sponsored by Comarch.Show Notes:1) Olivier Martinet - Global Retail Customer Insights, Data, Loyalty Programs & European Regional B2C Marketing, BP

Today's episode of Let's Talk Loyalty showcases Epsilon's latest loyalty learnings from two of their senior Directors, featuring Tamara Oliverio as Senior Director of Loyalty and Customer Experience, as well as Julie Smith as Vice President of Loyalty Technology.Listen to this episode to learn how the US market is evolving dramatically at the moment, including brands re-inventing their programs to respond to the changing perception of what customers find valuable. Key insights include a significant shift towards "contactless loyalty" and how to approach the complex process of effective loyalty program evolution. We also discuss how brands continue to capture data, with consumers increasingly expecting it to be useful in real ways and in real time.This episode includes fascinating insights on designing & optimising loyalty programmes from some industry experts who clearly love loyalty. This episode is sponsored by Epsilon.Show Notes:1) Tamara Oliverio - Senior Director of Loyalty and Customer Experience & CLMP2) Julie Smith, Vice President, Loyalty Technology3) Epsilon Europe website including Loyalty week webinars, the Forrester Assessment Tool & the Guide to Contactless Loyalty 4) Epsilon USA - loyalty articles and content 5) #33: Loyalty Insights from Epsilon6) Masters of Scale podcast 7) Foresight Factory, Trend Spottr & Trend Hunter

As the technology platform that powers loyalty programmes for global brands such as BP, Heathrow Airport, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, ADNOC Petroleum and Etihad Airways, Comarch is in a unique position globally, advising brands in all industries on their loyalty strategy and ensuring it's executed brilliantly.We are delighted to be working with Comarch as a sponsor of the show, so in this episode of Let's talk Loyalty, I interview one of their top executives, Sidney Dunn, who shares his insights as Client and Business Development Director for Comarch in the Americas.From the latest research on how millennials are engaging with global platforms, to advice for anyone keen to understand the benefits of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, listen to this episode to hear Sid sharing his unique perspective in a way that's both powerful and practical.This episode is sponsored by Comarch.Show Notes:1) Sidney Dunn - Client and Business Development Director, Comarch - Americas2) Comarch.com - Loyalty Platform Technology

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Wiiv Rewards is a coalition loyalty programme launched in Mauritius by the country's largest private company IBL Group.As a group-owned multi partner programme, Wiiv boasts eleven loyalty partners across key lifestyle categories such as grocery, pharmacy, transport and leisure, with a focus on supporting their members (known as Wiiv-ers) as a true community.Listen to this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty to hear why Wiiv won two of the industry's most prestigious awards at this year's Loyalty Magazine Awards, including Regional Loyalty Champion Award for Middle East and Africa as well as highly commended for Best New loyalty Programme launch of the year in 2018.Show Notes: 1) Wiiv Loyalty Programme Mauritius2) Delphine Lagesse - Group Strategic Innovation & Excellence Executive at IBL Together, Mauritius3) Cécile Henry - IBL Group Loyalty Manager at IBL Together, Mauritius

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Rob Burgess is a leading travel loyalty expert in the UK, reporting on campaigns by airlines and hotels as well as loyalty-led credit cards in the UK market.Rob personally boasts over 1 million Avios points, 1 million Virgin Flying Club miles and over 6 million airline, hotel and credit card points. He created HeadForPoints.com as a platform to share his ideas on how to get the best value from these loyalty assets, and now boasts an extra-ordinary community of 50,000 UK travel consumers who all love being recognised and rewarded for their loyalty!As a past winner of 'Editor of the Year' at the Business Travel Journalism Awards, Rob has successfully achieved what many digital entrepreneurs dream of, having left a traditional corporate career and created a compelling digital business publication that is loved by readers who enjoy his highly informed, yet independent view.Rob also acts as a consultant to the loyalty industry, focusing on the development of reward schemes which are attractive to consumers whilst cost effective for the sponsor.In this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty, we discuss how loyalty leaders can and should connect with thought leaders online. We also discuss some extra-ordinary loyalty leaders in the UK beyond travel, including John Lewis departments stores and the iconic Danish café brand - Joe & the Juice.Show Notes:1) Rob Burgess - Founder and Editor - Head for Points2) HeadforPoints - the UK's biggest frequent flyer and business travel website3) Podcast Episode / Audio Article about Joe & The Juice

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Vodafone is renowned internationally as an innovative telecommunications network, operating in many of the world's most competitive markets such as the UK.With a laser focus on customer retention and loyalty, the "Very Me Rewards" programme was launched in 2018, leveraging a portfolio of partnerships and personalised rewards, including almost 30 million rewards redeemed in just two short years.Camilo Courtenay talks us through their award-winning customer loyalty proposition, as well as their recent gifting strategy which leverages customer feedback to build emotional loyalty with customers and their family and friends - even if they are not on the Vodafone network themselves.Enjoy this episode and insights on "Very Me Rewards" to learn how to build loyalty in the ultra-competitive utilities sector in the UK.Show Notes: 1) Camilo Courtenay - Loyalty Product Manager (VeryMe Rewards @ Vodafone)2) Very Me Rewards - Vodafone UK's Loyalty Programme

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As winner of the "B2B Marketer of the Year" award, Margaret Molloy is recognised globally as a marketing thought leader. She is the Chief Marketing Officer of Siegel + Gale, a top global branding firm based in New York renowned for delivering global insights through its annual Simplicity Index.In this interview, we explore how simplicity drives business performance and enhances the customer experience. We also discuss the role of brands in the customer journey, as well as the power shift from buyers to users, employee loyalty and some intriguing statistics that help explain the role of simplicity in driving consumer loyalty.Margaret is a true believer of keeping things simple, and she highlights how Covid-19 has made it even more important for brands to simplify.We also discuss the role and impact of GEN Z on current marketing trends, and characteristics that define this critical consumer segment including the crucial role they play in the future loyalty market.Listen to this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty to understand how simplicity is as an increasingly powerful (yet underestimated) factor that drives loyalty in every business.We also announce the winner of the first ever Loyalty Academy Scholarship Competition in partnership with our friends in the Loyalty Academy!Show Notes:1) Margaret Molloy: Chief Marketing Officer - Siegel + Gale 2) Margaret Molloy on Twitter - twitter.com/margaretmolloy3) World's Simplest Brands website4) Simplicity at Work study5) How CMOs Commit newsletter6) How CMOs Commit podcast7) Future of Branding Events page8) Siegel + Gale9) “In their words” article by Siegel+Gale: The skills used by global CMOs to navigate COVID-1910) Gen Z and Brand Building podcast episode

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Pavel Los is the Global Loyalty Manager for Shell, the world-renowned oil company running loyalty programmes in 21 countries.Shell recently topped the leader board at the Loyalty Magazine Awards, winning awards for Shell Go+ in the UK, as well as Shell Club Smart programme in China that integrates with the WeChat platform. Pavel talks us through those value propositions and also shares some insights around the use of carbon offset programmes in key markets such as the Netherlands and the UK.With the increasingly role of loyalty programme to protect commercial revenue, Pavel shares the key statistics and loyalty metrics that Shell focuses on from their central team of loyalty subject matter experts.We also discuss the concept of coalitions and the important ingredients for success for any brand when it comes to marketing partnerships.Listen to this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty for a truly global loyalty perspective from one of the world's leading retailers.Show Notes:1) Pavel Los - Global Loyalty Manager Shell2) Shell Go+ - Shell's new UK Loyalty Programme 3) Shell Clubsmart - China

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As a former Creative Director and senior board director of Saatchi & Saatchi, Dr Chris Arnold is a business strategist, innovative thinker and a "proudly dyslexic" champion of thinking differently.With a deeply held belief in the power of community, Dr Chris highlights the challenges of relying on digital marketing and short-term measurable metrics that limit the full potential of a truly customer-centric mindset.Dr Chris reminds us of the power of communities as a way to create true customer loyalty, including the opportunity to connect our loyal customers with each other in a way that builds powerful brands and businesses.Show Notes:1) Dr Chris Arnold2) Connect 2 UK

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Every year, loyalty marketers around the world send off their programmes to compete with the best in the industry for the annual Loyalty Magazine Awards.With 23 categories, the entries are carefully evaluated by a panel of loyalty experts from around the world and one winner gets to celebrate being the best in the world in their industry or region!In this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty, I interview Annich McIntosh, CEO of the Loyalty Magazine Awards about the great entries that came out on top this year, as well as the very special Loyalty Magazine Awards 2020 online global party. Loyalty Magazine is a leading international title providing coverage of the world loyalty business.We also discuss some of the key trends she's seeing in the world of loyalty as an industry commentator and expert.Show Notes: 1) Annich McIntosh, CEO of the Loyalty Magazine Awards2) Loyalty Magazine Awards

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As customers respond to our dramatically different world, trust is becoming an essential ingredient in business, not just to ensure customer loyalty, but to ensure business survival.In its fascinating reports on the "New Customer", KPMG reveal some dramatic findings - for example, 91% of customers do NOT want to return to the pre-Covid world.Listen to this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty, as Nathan Beaver, Partner at KPMG UK, shares the latest insights on the "integrity economy", and how consumer behaviour is evolving, as well as the principles that loyalty programme managers need to keep in mind to connect with, and keep their most valuable customers.Show Notes: 1) Customer Connections in Uncertain Times2) Meet Your New Customer. The UK Customer Experience Excellence report 20203) Customer Connections: Competing in the New Reality

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Let's Talk Loyalty is one year old on August 22nd so today we are celebrating!It’s been an incredible roller-coaster year, filled with fun, extra-ordinary guests, incredible sponsors and partners and of course an amazing audience so I’m truly grateful for every listener and every message of support that you've sent.To celebrate our first birthday, this episode features my first competition in partnership with my friends in the Loyalty Academy – offering one lucky listener the chance to enjoy a FREE Loyalty Academy Scholarship worth $1,750!Show Notes:To enter the competition, simply sign up to our newsletter here: http://letstalkloyalty.com/competition/

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Etihad Guest is the loyalty program for Etihad Airways - the flag carrier of the UAE, based in Abu Dhabi.With over 7 million members, re-launched in November 2019, the Guest programme has continued to innovate, finding new ways to reward members who are keen to stay connected while staying home.This episode features Kim Hardaker, a self-confessed "data nerd" who shares a compelling loyalty statistic and then explains their new and extra-ordinary "world of thoughtfulness" campaign - a great example of building emotional loyalty at a challenging time.This episode is sponsored by Valuedynamx (Part of Collinson Group)Show Notes: 1) Kim Hardaker - Head of Etihad Guest programme2) Etihad Guest - Loyalty Programme of Etihad Airways.3) Etihad Guest relaunches award winning Etihad Guest loyalty programme4) Etihad Guest launches world first seamless miles redemption proposition via new mobile app5) Etihad Guest rewards members while staying home6) World of Thoughtfulness campaign

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Shirley King has been designing, developing and building loyalty programmes for a luxury boutique hotel brand within IHG Group, including the "Kimpton Hotels Inner Circle" as well as the "IHG Rewards Club" for over twenty-five years.In this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty, we discuss some of her award-winning programme elements, key principles of creating extra-ordinary experiences for top tier members, as well as some exciting and inspiring updates for her career at a very challenging time for the travel industry globally.Show Notes:1) Shirley King - Loyalty Program Manager, IHG Rewards Club & Kimpton Inner Circle2) Kimpton Boutique Hotels3) Skift - Daily Travel Podcast 4) The Points Guy5) One Mile at a Time6) Flyer Talk

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Dell is one of the world's best known computer companies, positioning itself as "powering the next technological revolution".With a laser focus on driving clear and measurable business outcomes, Dell's Mitch Kennedy discusses his insights on the impact of transactional rewards, the power of gamification, the importance of understanding human psychology as well as the increasing importance of the Advantage Rewards program and loyalty initiatives in Dell worldwide.This episode is sponsored by Epsilon.Show Notes: 1) Mitch Kennedy: Global Loyalty Strategy Lead, Dell2) Dell Advantage Programme3) Book: Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink4) Book: Actionable Gamification by Yu-Kai Chou

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As a loyalty expert based in India, Kunal Mohiuddin has an extensive career as a loyalty practitioner, building innovative loyalty technology platforms and advising over fifty national and global programmes on their loyalty strategy along the way.Kunal is a colleague of mine within the "Customer Strategy Network" - a global network of freelance loyalty consultants each with a strong background as an independent loyalty practitioner and he brings a unique perspective from India. Truly a "global voice of loyalty".Listen to this week's episode of Let'sTalkLoyalty to hear some great case studies from Kunal's extensive career as well as his insights on new technologies driving loyal behaviour in the future.Show Notes: 1) Kunal Mohiuddin

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Consumer behaviour is changing dramatically, and business models need to evolve to find ways to create loyalty even beyond loyalty programmes. One way is by incorporating a subscription model in your business, a model that drives commercial loyalty way beyond simply points or prizes.In this episode of "Let's talk Loyalty", I'm discussing how and why I'm subscribing for more products and how I'm seeing the model being used in new and unexpected ways.For businesses that can deliver superb experiences and/or increased convenience, a subscription business promises predictable recurring revenue and increased customer lifetime value.Listen to this episode to hear executives from Ipsos Denmark and their partners in Management Consulting firm Subscrybe explain the principles of success in subscriptions - creating both "reasons to buy" and "reasons to stay" and leveraging this "exploding" business model to create the ultimate loyalty with customers.Show Notes:1) Jens Dupont - Associate Director @Ipsos Denmark2) Peter Jakobsen - Senior Consultant @ Subscrybe3) Webinar: Subscription Principles4) Dollar Shave Club Launch Video5) Ipsos Research Papers: The Forces of Customer Experience; https://www.ipsos.com/en/forces-customer-experienceUnpacking product subscription models; https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/knowledge/consumer-shopper/unpacking-product-subscription-models

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Dr David Cox is a loyalty expert and one of the few industry leaders who also boasts a PhD in loyalty marketing!In this episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty", we discuss key concepts in motivational marketing that drive powerful commercial results, particularly in the B2B sector. Having won multiple awards for driving loyalty for clients such as IBM and Lenovo worldwide, we discuss some of the most effective techniques they use such as the power of sport to connect with members, and the importance of localisation to get the best results.We also discuss some of the key trends in the loyalty industry emerging as a direct result of Covid-19, with plenty of insights and ideas that can help you to optimise any programme, whether B2C or B2B.Show Notes: 1) David Cox - CEO of Motivforce2) Motivforce 2020 Awards 3) Loyalty Magazine Awards June 2020 4) Loyalty Articles

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As the founder of Bain & Company's Customer practice, Rob Markey is the one of the world's leading authorities on customer loyalty, having co-created The Net Promoter System® - the industry metric and framework now used by more than two thirds of Fortune 1000 companies.Rob co-authored the best-selling book "The Ultimate Question 2.0" with Fred Reichheld, and he is now a keynote speaker, leader of the NPS Loyalty Forum and a podcaster on customer and employee experience.In this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty, we discuss the insights that led to the development of the NPS framework as our industry's most used (and abused) measurement tool, as well as how Bain and Company is currently advising its clients to more thoroughly measure, monitor and share customer health indicators in order to encourage a more "patient' approach from investors and management alike.Show Notes:1) Rob Markey: Customer Experience Transformations | Loyalty | Strategy & Marketing | Author | Speaker | Podcaster2) Rob Markey's website3) The Ultimate Question 2.0: Driving Good Profits and True Growth4) Net Promoter System: Website and podcast5) HBR 2003: The One Number You Need to Grow 6) HBR 2020: Spotlight Series - Articles by Rob Markey, Pete Fader and Dan McCarthy and Jack Brennan

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Bryan Pearson, the former CEO LoyaltyOne is known globally as a leader in loyalty, retail marketing and analytics.He is also the author of the bestselling book "The Loyalty Leap: Turning Customer Information Into Customer Intimacy" as well as "The Loyalty Leap for B2B." He has also been awarded a lifetime achievement award by Loyalty Magazine as “Personality of the Year” in 2018.In this episode of Let’s Talk Loyalty, we discuss some of the key success factors for the coalition model for loyalty in global markets, as well as some innovative ideas emerging in the retail sector as we adjust to a new reality beyond the global pandemic.Show Notes:Bryan Pearson – Former CEO of LoyaltyOneBestselling book: The Loyalty Leap by Bryan Pearson – Amazon.comForbes articles by Bryan PearsonCase Study - Flâneur Wines in OregonThe Loyalty Report 2019 - https://info.bondbrandloyalty.com/loyalty-report-2019Brand Loyalty Article - 5 Key Insights about Gen z

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. This episode of "Lets Talk Loyalty" was inspired by some exciting ideas emerging from academic leaders who are increasingly helping investors to consider the future lifetime value of customers (not just historic revenues) when valuing a firm."Customer Based Corporate Valuation" (CBCV) is a concept developed and commercialised by Peter Fader, Professor of Marketing with the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, together with Dan McCarthy to help investors and loyalty marketers apply ever more sophisticated financial models to our businesses to accurately understand the value of our customers as a strategic asset.These models are generating exciting insights for C-Suite Executives, and the episode discusses how we as loyalty marketers can ensure we educate our company leaders to appreciate and value the loyal customers and relationships we nourish.Show Notes: 1) Professor of Marketing, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania 2) Dan McCarthy - Assistant Professor of Marketing at Emory University3) Leigh McAlister - Professor of Marketing - University of Austin 4) Harvard Business Review - Jan/Feb 2020 issue articles - "The Loyalty Economy." 5) Theta Equity Partners 6) Customer Centricity: Focus on the Right Customers for Strategic Advantage - 2012 Edition (New Edition Scheduled July 2020)7) Bain & Co - How to Calculate Customer Value

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. As the UK's largest broadcaster, Sky has access to some of the top entertainment assets in the world including The Premier League for football fans and the PGA Tour for golf lovers.Some years ago, the company recognised some key underlying challenges to retaining happy customers as they began to challenge how the brand offered preferential rates to new customers rather than existing ones. Many believed the brand wasn't being as loyal to them as they were to Sky!This insight allowed a fundamental shift in the business to firstly ensure a consistent product offering to customers but also add in a powerful programme to acknowledge customer loyalty, particularly over longer periods of time.With a clear intention for customers to feel loved, in 2017, Sky launched its VIP programme, the first tenure-based programme in the industry which continues to promise that "the longer you stay, the better it gets".From delivering exclusive live experiences for over a million customers a year, to now delivering even more extraordinary & innovative virtual experiences, Rob Chandler shares how Sky VIP is each day creating new and exciting ways to really say thanks to its customers.Listen to this week's episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty" podcast for exclusive insights on loyalty long term as well as innovative loyalty ideas in lockdown.Show Notes:1) Rob Chandler - Head of Customer Loyalty - Sky UK2) All Customer's Are Not Created Equal - by Stan Phelps 3) The Gamification Revolution: How Leaders Leverage Game Mechanics to Crush the Competition - by Gabe Zichermann

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. In the travel sector, a compelling loyalty programme can be a key differentiator for customers - for airlines, hotels and also for online travel agencies.ebookers UK was originally launched in 1998 as the UK's first online travel agency, adding the "Bonus+" programme in 2016.Listen to this episode of "Let's Talk Loyalty" to hear how ebookers.com has built a simple and generous loyalty programme - particularly focused on mobile users, along with insights on the KPI's they are measuring and how they're thinking about their members priorities amid Covid-19.Show Notes:1) Nicola Helfet2) ebookers.com 3) Bonus Plus Programme4) Boots Advantage Loyalty Programme 5) TK Maxx 'Treasure' - Retail Loyalty Programme

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Statisticians are familiar with the concept of “self-selection” but it’s rarely discussed, understood or accounted for when determining your “return on loyalty”.Simply because your most loyal customers have joined your programme, does not mean your programme improved or caused them to become more loyalty. In today’s fascinating discussion around the challenge of “self-selection”, my two guests who co-founded the "customer science" firm Ellipsis, discuss how they isolate, measure and define the levers within a loyalty program to understand what’s working, what’s not and why!Listen for a masterclass on the concept of “return on loyalty”, NPS and how to separate correlation from causation using data insights.Show Notes:1) Tim Tyler – Managing Partner at Ellipsis & Company2) Adam Schaffer - Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Ellipsis & Company3) Return on Loyalty - https://www.returnonloyalty.com.au/4) Whitepaper – Return on Loyalty https://www.ellipsisandco.com/perspectives/measuring-return-on-loyalty5) Whitepaper - Your Loyalty Strategy Depends on Your Program Age6) https://www.ellipsisandco.com/7) The Mismanagement of Customer Loyalty – Harvard Business Review articleLet me know when you have one hour done and I'll review those episodes

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. With over 15 million members, Rakuten Rewards is one the world’s largest cashback programs, and to date it has paid out over $2 billion to members across online and offline retail stores in the United States!In this episode of Let's Talk Loyalty, I interview Kristen Gall, President of Rakuten Rewards, to understand the power of affiliate marketing, their partnerships with American Express and Live Nation - as well as their global sponsorships with FC Barcelona, The National Basketball Association (NBA) and The Golden State Warriors.Listen also for some fascinating insights on exactly what retail trends are emerging amid Covid-19 and the categories consumers are slowly beginning to spend on again.Show Notes: 1) Kristen Gall - President, Rakuten Rewards2) www.Rakuten.com – leading Cash Back service in the US3) www.rakuten.us – Rakuten Americas corporate site4) global.rakuten.com/corp – Rakuten global site5) Rakuten Optimism Conference6) Marketplace 3.0 - by Hiroshi Mikitani (Author)

This episode is sponsored by Points, a Plusgrade company. Read more about their Exchange solution as a growth channel for loyalty programs here. Loyalty Managers around the world often look to the UK for inspiration and exciting new ideas and trends. YouGov is the UK’s “most quoted research agency” on consumer opinion, and earlier this year, together with Mando Connect, they again turned their attention to understanding what British consumers really want from loyalty programmes.Listen to this week’s episode of “Let’s Talk Loyalty” to hear us discuss the 2020 UK loyalty whitepaper, including some exciting new innovative UK loyalty programmes – and also some concerns on how much more we need to do before our loyalty programmes appeal to younger consumers.Show Notes:1) YouGov.com2) Mando Connect 3) Charlie Hills4) Joe Flagg5) UK Loyalty Whitepaper - What the Brits Want from Loyalty6) Are Loyalty Programmes Even More Important in These Challenging COVID-19 Times? Article on The Wise Marketer