GiftCard Partners Blog

GiftCard Partners' Deb Merkin attended the CashStar Digital Gifting roundtable and said it was jammed packed with great market research and the roundtable discussion was invaluable. CashStar’s Retailer Roundtable brings together leading analysts, technologists, thought leaders and a myriad of retailers to discuss the future of digital gifting.
CVS/pharmacy and
Brinker, 2 of our clients will be present and taking part in this roundtable! Digital gifting has altered the way the B2B gift card market progresses, with efficiencies for the retailer, buyer and the end consumer, while directly tying in with mobile and
social media initiatives… We look forward to seeing the results of this meeting in the coming weeks. PORTLAND, Maine, Jul 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- CashStar, the digital gifting and incentives company, today announced that it has brought together the industry's top influencers and retailers for the world's first event exclusively focused on the e-gifting industry. Taking place today in CashStar's headquarter city of Portland, Maine, the CashStar Retailer Roundtable has brought thought leaders together to brainstorm the future of digital gifting with a focus on mobile and social channels.
Click to read more about this landmark digital gifting event.

In a recent consumer study comparing pharmacy loyalty programs, the CVS/Pharmacy Extra Bucks program exceeded the competition at Walgreens and Rite Aid.  Because Extra Bucks can be accrued on some prescription purchases, and on 2% of purchases which is an impressive amount, that is noticed by consumers, and their wallets.  This study proves how CVS/Pharmacy builds their programs around their customers and their needs.
For more information and to view the entire pharmacy loyalty program comparison, click here.

It’s hard to go anywhere online without seeing social media icons, “likes” or stories about how Facebook is being used to enhance retailer loyalty…”social loyalty”. Building social media pages, vying for your “likes” and offering targeted promotions…but then what? What does it really mean to retailers for consumers to “like” something in this way? And what does it mean for prepaid and gift cards? So, I go to one of my favorite sources for marketing research, and information, Mashable and I am instantly tied in with my friends who share the same favorite source. Let’s put this scenario
into a retail ecommerce setting … I’m researching new mobile phones and selected the phone I’m interested in; I could see who my friends are that have “liked” the Droid on Facebook. This is likely to influence my opinion of the product. The bigger picture shows a snapshot of ecommerce transactions excelling exponentially. Last week Adweek published: “Data Shows Real-World Results for Facebook 'Likes', One new fan for a retailer produces 20 website visits”. This is great news for retailers (our clients), but it’s great news for the prepaid industry and its gift card component as well. GCP’s end customers (B2B or bulk buys of gift cards) benefit as well, as the recipients of the gift cards have new ways of engaging with the card brands they are holding.  

Subway Chief Marketing Officer, Tony Pace, recently sat down with QSR Magazine to discuss the importance of healthy eating and healthy living to Subway's message and marketing strategy.  A healthy product is the basis for how Subway conducts its business, and how it enters the homes and lives of millions of Americans, and through a partnership with the American Heart Association Subway is proving to America that you do not need to sacrifice flavor to eat right.  Pace discusses their strategy from using fresh regional ingredients, to selling healthy food without scaring off consumers.  Subway is unique in its healthy sandwich message, and it truly cares about the health of its consumers.  Do you think America may have less of an obesity crisis if more restaurants promoted quick, healthy, delicious food like Subway?  
To read the entire QSR Magazine Interview with Tom Pace click here.

You are likely either a marketer or involved with the prepaid & gift card industry OR BOTH (like me). We love this video and we love how the Prepaid Expo is looking beyond traditional information sources and prepaid to bring us their take on the next generation of prepaid.