GiftCard Partners Blog

We don't tend to cover topics outside of the gift card industry in our blog, but this story came to us and we found it so compelling, we decided we have to share. Through the NBA lockout the entire NBA community was on edge wondering if there would be a 2011-2012 NBA season, and for teams they were wondering if there would be any opportunity to take in ticket revenue this year. But not Boston Celtics’ Interactive Media Director, Peter Stringer. He was busy maximizing the Celtics' 3-Point-Play Facebook App. This App turned 5.6 million Facebook followers into revenue generating ticket holders. He used the popularity of a Facebook App to raise awareness and strength for his brand, and parlayed that into thousands of dollars in revenue for his organization. This is one instance that proves the power of social media. How will you use that power for your organization?
This social media success earned Stringer the Pymnts.com Innovator of the Week Award this week. For more information check out the article.

Loyalty Programs are an important facet of the incentive industry for B2B gift cards or buying gift cards in bulk. Gift cards have been touted as one of the most coveted gifts in universe (well, pretty much). Are you offering gift cards for reward points as a way to keep your loyalty program alive with customers? In a recent article “5 Ways to Keep Loyalty Points from Expiring”, it’s noted that the massive quantities of rewards points that consumers hold “has created a headache for the companies that offer them”.  BUT – aren’t these “loads of points” also an opportunity for loyalty programs to try to engage customers 1 last time? Will offering highly coveted gift cards for points get these folks back in the game? Surely the engaged customer is more valuable than the dormant one. This article highlights great ways for consumers to keep their points in play, but these tactics should also be looked at as strategies, by the programs themselves, to promote the ongoing use of their program. Consumer or program provider…
take a look at these loyalty program strategies for the new year. Source:
The Toronto Star:
5 Ways to Keep Loyalty Points from Expiring

In the spirit of the new year, and burning off those holiday calories, it is time to make sure that employers are keeping their employees healthy going into 2012. In a country where 65% of adults don't exercise regularly, 50% have high cholesterol, 25% have high blood pressure, and 30% are obese it is critical that employers, who monopolize adults waking hours promote healthy living. Incorporating a wellness program, where employees are rewarded with small bonuses such as small denomination gift cards for participation in an exercise regiment, or for participating in a diet program pays off. Government and industry statistics show that for every $1 invested in wellness programs employers save between $3 and $5 in health care costs for their employees.   Keep your employees healthy this new year, and it will save your company money.
To learn more check out the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader article.

The Ventura, CA community is taking innovative steps to minimize drunk driving this holiday season. A group of Ventura County bars and restaurants is taking part in a safety rewards program funded by a local government grant. The participating businesses are giving away small spot rewards, such as gas cards to dedicated designated drivers throughout the holiday season. Larger items are also raffled off during special drawing nights. The program rewards good drivers, but has also garnered the support of the community by making the roads safer and putting citizens at ease during the holidays, knowing that drivers are being incented to stay safe. Does your community use these types of rewards for good behavior? Should we need to use spot safety rewards to keep citizens within the rules of the law? Let us know what you think, and leave a comment!  
To read more about the Ventura County DUI Safety Rewards Program click here.

Gift cards continue to be the gift of choice for companies giving gifts to customers, employees, partners, and volunteers. For 5-years running, gift cards remain on the most wanted list, this year at a rate of 57.7%, says the National Retail Association (NRF). GiftCard Partners is proud to see that
Retail Gift Card Association (RGCA), the national organization for closed loop gift card retailers, who are