Alpha Bank’s Bonus Loyalty Programme won Best Loyalty Programme of the Year - Financial Services at the inaugural Loyalty Awards, held in the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Mayfair on Tuesday 12th June.
The top names in the loyalty business from right across Europe and the Middle East met in London to celebrate excellence, achievement and innovation.
The Alpha Bank Bonus scheme has been designed for the Greek market by British company Loyalty Consulting UK. Bonus allows customers to collect points anywhere in the world for every Euro they spend and then redeem those points instantly and on demand for products, services or discounts from well-known retailers and service providers around Greece.
Loyalty Consulting UK Managing Director Mark Bergdahl said, “Alpha Bank won this award through sheer hard work, determination but above all else, because they had a vision that focussed on simplicity for the consumer and shared benefits with the participating merchants that participate in the Bonus scheme.”
Alpha Bank has joined with leading brands in Greece such as BP, Aegean Airlines (a Star Alliance partner airline), Hertz, Vodafone and Alpha Beta Vassilopoulos (the second largest Greek supermarket, part of the Del Haize Group). Shoppers can redeem their reward points for food, petrol, flights and many other exciting opportunities – giving something for everyone. This innovative scheme operates in real-time at the point of sale, avoiding the usual barriers associated with earning and redeeming in similar multi-partner schemes.
Leo Kassoumis, Manager of Alpha Bank’s Consumer Finance Division says, “This is a fantastic achievement for the Bank, whilst we continue to address the challenges facing the Greek economy, this is a very welcome departure from all the bad news the country faces. My team have exceeded all expectations, earlier this year we celebrated the fact that we have rewarded customers with over €10million of rewards since launching the scheme in 2006. We are very proud of the international recognition that this award bestows on Alpha Bank. I know of no other payment card reward schemes locally or internationally that are achieving the level of success that we enjoy in what is arguably the most challenging market in Europe today. “
The Loyalty Awards, organised by Loyalty Magazine, have set the benchmark for best practice and provided a long awaited and much valued networking opportunity for the industry.
David Johnston, president and CEO of prime sponsor Aimia, applauded the launching of The Loyalty Awards: “At last loyalty programmes and loyalty marketers are being recognised for the contribution that they make to improving customer relationships and building long term profitability. For too long, the marketing industry has over emphasised advertising as the symbol of what the marketing department does.”
Host for the evening was comedian Stephen Mangan of BBC TV’s Golden Globe winning Episodes, and the charity, for which over £7,000 was raised, was The Prince’s Trust.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
For further information contact: Karen Wilson, Loyalty Consulting UK Tel: +44 (0)1223 370199 Mob: +44 (0)7875 407628 or Mark Bergdahl, Managing Director, Loyalty Consulting UK Tel: Mob: +44 (0)7739 643880
www.loyaltyconsulting.co.uk
The Loyalty Awards 2012 Website: www.theloyaltyawards.com
The Loyalty Awards are run by Loyalty Magazine. www.loyaltymagazine.com
For further information contact: Sally Janssen Tel: 07851 129787 email:[email protected]