Loyalty programs, and various innovative mobile customer engagement tools, have become so useful to marketing professionals that even the hallowed grounds of academia are staring to embrace their CX capabilities. The University of Iowa, one of the most respected educational institutions in the United States, has just announced a mobile-based loyalty program initiative.
The University of Iowa has commissioned the platform to work in conjunction with its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, which supports 24 men and women’s athletic programs. Named after the University’s varsity moniker, the loyalty program is called Hawkeye Rewards, and it promises to benefit both participating businesses and Hawkeye sports fans alike.
Designed by Muv-U Corp, a proprietary software developer, Hawkeye Rewards will be available as a free mobile app. By accessing the app via smartphone or mobile device, the loyalty program will offer mechanize discounts, unique promotions, and entrance into special events. After downloading the app from the iTunes or Android app store, members need only to scan the electronic membership card while completing a transaction.
The program hopes to further increase customer engagement by introducing an additional layer of flexibility. Once points are earned, Hawkeye Rewards members can then use points at any participating retailer, no matter where the points were originally acquired.
"There are many points-based loyalty and customer rewards programs on the market today, but none with the power and versatility of Hawkeye Rewards,” said Rick Klatt, UI Associate Director of External Relations. “We are excited to be deploying such innovative technology in an easy to use mobile app that will further enhance engagement by fans of the Hawkeyes and consumers of all kinds while connecting small and medium sized businesses across the state of Iowa."
In addition to allowing members to redeem points anywhere they are offered, Hawkeye Rewards will further connect local businesses by also letting members easily locate directions to and information on all nearby participating retailers.
The new loyalty program will also benefit retailers by giving them access to a host of social and mobile marketing tools that will facilitate the design of customized promotions and exclusive offers.
Hawkeye Rewards will be available to download starting on August 15th, just before the start of the fall semester.