Each week, our team of editors curate a list of the latest customer loyalty, technology, and other relevant marketing news. Our goal is to make it simple for busy professionals to quickly digest important industry news and trending topics. Show your support by joining our mailing list to gain access to exclusive content, events, promotions, and more. Or simply enjoy today's newswire!
- Dunkin' Donuts prepares for major overhaul of its DD Perks loyalty program
- Maritz Motivation collaborates with Bumped to bring stock rewards to the masses
- Walmart adds Paramount streaming service to Walmart+ membership at no extra cost
- Bilt Rewards joins Engage People's loyalty network to give its members the option to Pay with Points at various online marketplaces
- Inc.'s annual 5000 list ranks ConnectedView as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S.
- Constellation Research recognizes SugarCRM as a top provider of B2B marketing automation software for the second consecutive year
- Nigerian B2B e-commerce platform Omnibiz secures $15 million in funding to begin regional expansion and boost customer retention
- The In-Store Marketplace platform launches as first-of-its-kind solution to simplify management of in-store retail media
- Gap opens new 850,000-sq.-ft. distribution center to support rapidly growing digital sales
LOYALTY
The Dunkin' Reward Program Is About To Go Through A Major Change
Highlight: According to a post on Reddit, new changes are happening with Dunkin's rewards program. First things first, the name "DD Perks" is a bit outdated, considering Dunkin' no longer goes by Dunkin' Donuts (via Today). As a result, the program will soon be called "Dunkin' Rewards." The author of the thread then went into details on what customers can expect with the new rollout, providing a bulleted list of the changes... Based on the Reddit feedback, users aren't thrilled with how much they'll have to spend to take advantage of the rewards. While there are more reward categories, meaning customers can cash in for more options, some users think some of the items feel too out of reach.
Maritz Motivation and Bumped Collaborate To Offer Stock Rewards
Highlight: There is as much innovation in reward offers today as in any other area of customer loyalty. And in mid-July Maritz Motivation announced a new offering with fintech startup Bumped that has the potential to lead the loyalty industry “beyond rewards.” Together, Maritz Motivation and Bumped will enable Fortune 500 brands to offer their customers fractional shares of stock as part of their loyalty and rewards programs. In the company press release, Cindy Willis, Senior Rewards Product Manager of Maritz Motivation said “we believe that stock rewards are the next frontier in loyalty and have the power to not only do good for the businesses that adopt them but for customers and their financial wellness, too. It’s super-charging loyalty behaviors.”
Walmart Adds Streaming to Walmart+ Membership With Paramount+ Partnership
Highlight: Walmart is further enhancing the value of a Walmart+ membership with the addition of a Paramount+ Essential subscription at no extra cost. The plan will give Walmart+ members access to Paramount’s streaming service, which includes shows, movies and live sports. The price of Walmart+ will remain $98 annually or $12.95 per month. “We know Walmart+ is providing members real value in their every day – from grocery shopping to filling up their tank and more,” said Chris Cracchiolo, SVP and General Manager of Walmart+ in a statement. “With the addition of Paramount+, we are demonstrating our unique ability to help members save even more and live better by delivering entertainment for less, too.
Engage People and Bilt Rewards Partner to Provide Pay With Points Capabilities to Bilt Mastercard Holders
Highlight: Through this partnership, Bilt Rewards members holding a Bilt Mastercard will gain access to PwP capabilities, allowing them to increase the ubiquity of their points by using them for everyday purchases online. Engage People's Access Network platform will serve as the engine powering the program. "We're proud to serve as Bilt's PwP provider, and we're looking forward to delivering innovative ways for renters holding a Bilt Mastercard to shop online," said Jonathan Silver, CEO of Engage People. "As inflation rates continue to rise, these types of partnerships serve to bring relief to consumers at point of sale. What better way to be rewarded for paying your rent than to earn points that can be spent on household goods, technology, and everyday items that are available online." Bilt Rewards is the latest company to join Engage People's loyalty network, which also includes two of the top global online retailers and three of the top six Canadian banks with further expansion projected in 2022
B2B
Inc. 5000 Ranks ConnectedView, software developer of DonorView and AssociationSphere, as one of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America
Highlight: DonorView and AssociationSphere are award-winning software solutions that have helped non-profit organizations across all 50 states. Over $2.9 billion worth of gifts, events, auctions, peer-to-peer campaigns and memberships are managed on the systems. DonorView and AssociationSphere allow customers to cultivate a stronger relationship with their constituents, connecting over 150 countries and generating millions of dollars of transactions each month on the secured platforms. The annual Inc. 5000 list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment – independent businesses. The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages and the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
SugarCRM Named a Top Vendor in Constellation ShortList for B2B Marketing Automation for Small and Midsize Business
Highlight: According to the ShortList report, authored by Constellation Research Vice President and Principal Analyst Liz Miller, “Marketing automation solutions for disruptive and growth-driven SMBs are delivering sophisticated tools, workflows and strategies in right-sized and flexible packages to fit the realities of smaller teams and scaling budgets. These solutions often blur the lines between sales and marketing engagements for smaller, more integrated teams that must act quickly to stay ahead of the curve.” “It’s a great honor to be recognized as a top provider by Constellation Research for the second year running,” said Christian Wettre, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sugar Platform, SugarCRM. “We’re proud to offer a leading AI-driven marketing automation solution that lets the platform do the work to eliminate busy work and blind spots while helping generate more high-quality leads critical to fuel business growth.”
Nigerian B2B e-commerce platform Omnibiz raises millions to gain and retain retail customers
Highlight: Africa’s informal retailers supply most of the continent’s population with a broad range of consumer goods and generate over $1 trillion in sales annually. However, troubles with outward inefficiencies and inward challenges have led to the prominence of B2B e-commerce startups across the region, which provide various tech-enabled solutions to address access to products and capital. One of the players TechCrunch has featured in this space within the past year is Omnibiz, a Lagos-based B2B e-commerce and retail platform that connects fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) manufacturers to retailers by digitizing the supply chain stakeholders... With Omnibiz, these distributors can focus solely on warehousing and pass on the responsibility of transporting goods to third-party logistics providers, who distribute orders to the retailers within 24 hours.
RETAIL
In-Store Marketplace Launches to Simplify Digital Experience for Retail Media Owners
Highlight: While retail media began as an ecommerce-only platform leveraged by retailers to advertise and promote products online, it has become so much more. According to eMarketer, “2022 is the year of retail media networks.” US (retail media) spending has grown to over $41B and now represents 17.2% of the total US digital ad spend. It’s proof that retail media has a solid place in the current economic climate. And evolving definitions have become inclusive of other digital in-store media, including video displays — and audio advertising. “The In-Store Marketplace allows buyers to bundle display inventory and digital audio into a single PMP or cherry-pick your options — whatever approach fits your current needs,” said Chelsea Monaco, VP, eRetail & Commerce Media at Merkle. “Consolidating the big shopper media partners like Vibenomics, Mood Media, Sellr Technologies, FuelMedia TV, WaterStation Technology facilitates more frictionless engagement with partners and ubiquitous access to the inventory.
Gap opens high-tech e-commerce fulfillment center
Highlight: The specialty apparel retailer is opening its newest Customer Experience Center in Longview, Texas. The 850,000-sq.-ft. distribution center, initially announced in February 2021, is outfitted with robotics systems and automation technology. The new center will supplement Gap’s six existing distribution centers in North America, including those in Fresno, Calif.; Phoenix; Groveport, Ohio; Gallatin, Texas; Fishkill, N.Y; and Brampton, Ontario. With the addition of its new Longview campus, Gap’s fulfillment center network will have capacity to process an additional 1 million units per day, making for a total of more than 4 million units per day during peak season.
Miss the previous newswire? Stay informed: Loyalty Newswire – August 8th, 2022
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.
