Huge car recall will test customer loyalty
Millions of vehicles called in around the world over accelerator problem Read more ...

2010s to be “Decade of the Brand”
US loyalty consultancy Brand Keys has released a report that proclaims 2010 to be the ‘Decade of the Brand’ in its Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. Read more ...

Reward schemes position firms for the upturn
Survey shows database marketing key for businesses but poor integration of marketing activities could leave some behind
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Portugal malls embrace gift cards
Multi Mall Management Portugal which is a part of the Multi Corporation and manages the shopping centres promoted by Multi Development claims to be the first organisation in the Portuguese market to develop and provide a Gift Card / a prepaid card that can be purchased in nine shopping centres managed by the company. Read more ...

CredEcard rebrands after completing £2m financing round
New Group CEO to oversee international prepaid expansion Read more ...

Esso chooses prepaid provider
paysafecard group, has teamed up with convenience wholesaler Lekkerland to supply Esso with their latest white label solution. Read more ...

Employee perks become bargaining currency as BA fights for survival
Airing dirty washing in public is never to be recommended, but BA seems to have no choice as its efforts to keep the airline flying has turned into a row with cabin crew over pay, conditions, and now perks. Read more ...

Experts call for more customer trust within travel industry
The majority of travel companies will have to add more value and inspire brand loyalty to compete in 2010 according to a recent round table discussion. Read more ...

Canada student card expands to US
6.5 million first-year membership planned Read more ...

Facebook achieves ‘technological lock-in’ of its users
Facebook has reportedly become such a dominant force in the world of social networking sites, that many users stay loyal to it despite strong competition from popular websites such as MySpace and Twitter. Read more ...

No longer a nation of queue lovers
Given that excellence in customer service has been touted as the key big differentiator in pulling out of the recession, it’s unsettling that the UK still suffers from a relatively poor reputation in this regard, says Ian Turner, General Manager Northern Europe at Nuance Communications. One manifestation of this customer service failing is the public’s aversion to ringing call centres. Read more ...

French banks become more “fidelité” focussed
Requirement to allow competition brings wave of new initiatives
Loyalty came late to France as a payment card marketing tool. It wasn’t until October 2007 that even co-branded cards were allowed. This ban by the French banks enabled them to keep tight control of their payments business – until EU rules forced a change. Now everything is different.
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What loyalty means to customers and why businesses should pay attention
Most consumers are aware of the major loyalty schemes - but does this translate into increased sales? Article by Anamaria Chiuzan, Customer Insight and Loyalty - Senior Marketing Manager at The Logic Group Read more ...

Using Customer Feedback to Encourage Customer Loyalty
Big online businesses such as eBay and Amazon have recognised the importance of creating a dialogue with their customers and replicating a word of mouth experience. Bill Cawley, founder of Feefo, explains why customer feedback isn’t just a marketing gimmick and how it can encourage brand loyalty. Read more ...

Encryption is the equivalent of a seat belt for data
The first thing most of us do when we get into a car is put on a seatbelt, whether we’re driving or just along for the ride – it’s so important that it’s the law in the UK. We don’t plan to have an accident but, just in case we do, we’re protected. So why don’t we give our data the same courtesy, asks Andy Cordial, Managing Director at Origin Storage. Read more ...

Rule Number One - Know your customer
Article by Matt Boot, chief analyst KDB
Knowing your customers is one of the first rules any good marketer learns.  But during a recession, it is all the more important for companies to know which consumers or business buyers best match the profiles of their most loyal and profitable customers – or simply of those that are willing to spend, given the current economic climate. Read more ...

The Customer is not always right - but is always the 'Queen Bee'
Article by Frea O'Brien, Customer First UK
Recently I checked into a hotel a good eighteen months after a previous visit, to be greeted with “Welcome back!” After a long journey, it made me feel like a Queen Bee, returning to the golden hive reassured that the loyal worker bees would certainly serve me adoringly! Read more ...

Recession a boost for Airmiles
Andrea Burchett, director of relationship marketing for Airmiles was definitely not advocating a recession as the way to grow a business, but there is no getting away from the effect it has had on one of the oldest and most established loyalty brands in T&E rewards. Read more ...

Cloud Computing – understanding the risks and questions to ask your service provider
Adam Bosnian, VP of Products, Strategy and Sales at Cyber-Ark gives a run-down on the risk and control aspects that cloud computing poses - and what important questions companies need to ask their cloud service provider. Read more ...

Bridging the Gap between CRM and CEM
Despite more than a decade of efforts implementing customer relationship management (CRM) systems, Executives are realising the sober reality: CRM in its present guise has not enabled major leaps forward in customer focus, says Martin Green VP, EMEA, Satmetrix, the Net Promoter Company. Read more ...

Are you a social networker or one of those who “don’t get it”?
There is no going back after technology has a breakthrough, so whether you love it or hate it, Web 2.0, social networking, Twitter, Facebook - and all that - are here to stay. Read more ...

Customer Experience is the next competitive battleground
Gary Schwartz, senior vice-president of marketing at Confirmit, highlights the benefit of using customer feedback management software to drive the level of loyalty. He argues that you can best enhance customer experience, loyalty and advocacy by measuring it and then showing customers that their opinions count. Read more ...

Unlocking the Value of Human Behaviour Requires a Key

To be truly effective in the deployment of customer insight, you must ensure that you do three specific things well.

Paul Alexander, CEO of Beyond Analysis, explains what they are.

Businesses missing out on customer engagement through social media
Businesses are failing to capitalise on the benefits of advocacy and user-generated content, says E-Business strategist Deborah Collier who believes many more firms could be leveraging social media platforms and user-generated content for maximum customer engagement. Read more ...

Beyond CRM: Creating the Master Record for Mobile Operators
In an era of commoditisation, competition and churn, it is becoming increasingly difficult for telecommunications providers to find meaningful market differentiators. Superior customer service offers a solution, but, to be truly effective, it requires superior customer information, explains James Wilkinson, EMEA Services Director, Initiate Systems. Read more ...

Traditional direct marketing still the best
Two out of three consumers agree

More than twice as many UK consumers say traditional direct marketing is more likely than digital marketing to encourage them to go to a website and seriously consider a purchase from a company for the first time, a new poll from messaging specialist Pitney Bowes reveals.
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Upside for green retailers in the crunch
M&S applauded for £200m ethical spend


The Real Green Retail Group says it applauds M&S for its £200m ethical plan and also for chiding rivals for retreating from commitment to green and ethical issues during the current economic recession.
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Holiday travel round-up         The really, really big FF mileage giveaway
What is the greater reward - hotel or airline upgrade? Answer: The difference between heaven and hell is on an aeroplane
Frequent flyers rely on loyalty points for holidays
Airports want slice of the frequent flyer cake Read more ...

Transforming product catalogues to a digital customer service tool
How CDMS produced searchable digital catalogues for online and home shopping retailer Shop Direct Group (SDG). Read more ...

'Diversity of prepaid' delivers resilience through economic slump
Most sectors in the prepaid card market will continue to see positive growth, despite the economic slump. Read more ...