Leaders in Customer Loyalty, Powered by Loyalty360

Send us a textIn this Executive Spotlight, Loyalty360 CEO Mark Johnson speaks with Tim Glomb, Head of Operational AI at Wunderkind. Glomb’s unconventional journey—from touring the world with platinum-selling rock bands to producing for MTV and now leading AI operations at a marketing technology powerhouse—offers a fresh, candid view on the future of customer loyalty. With decades of experience on both the brand and tech sides of the fence, Glomb shares his no-nonsense take on brand integration, data activation, AI education, and why mentorship and community matter more than ever. 

Send us a textIn a category often rooted in tradition, the Virginia Lottery is proving that innovation in customer loyalty can thrive even in a highly regulated and complex environment. Under the leadership of Prudence Milligan, Senior Customer Strategy Manager, the Virginia Lottery has launched a forward-thinking, points-based loyalty program that not only sets a precedent within the lottery industry but also reflects a larger commitment to community impact and customer engagement. “Our mission at the Virginia Lottery is to generate revenue for K-12 public education,” Milligan explained. “Last year we generated more than $934 million for public schools and, since 1999, we’ve contributed more than $13 billion to schools in the Commonwealth.” But while the mission remains paramount, the Virginia Lottery is equally focused on reshaping how players engage with its brand, particularly in an increasingly competitive marketplace. 

Send us a textBrands are inundated with tools, touchpoints, and evolving consumer behaviors amid increasing economic uncertainty.  In the current context the challenge isn't merely building loyalty, it’s operationalizing it at scale and speed. For Kyle Pretsch, President of Bambu, the solution starts with a fundamental shift in perspective: meet customers where they are, move fast, and deliver value with intent. In this edition of Loyalty360’s Industry Voices, Pretsch  shares how Bambu is redefining what it means to be “mobile-first,” why customer loyalty needs to go back to fundamentals, and how brands can build loyalty programs that are both responsive and resilient in today’s attention economy. 

Send us a textIn today's highly competitive restaurant landscape, standing out requires more than just great food. It demands seamless digital experiences, deep emotional connections, and a loyalty strategy that touches every part of the brand. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is meeting that challenge head-on, leveraging loyalty principles to create what it calls “everyday getaways” for its guests. At the heart of this effort is Melissa Cummings, Vice President of Digital Marketing. With over three years leading the Tropic Rewards® loyalty program and broader digital initiatives, Cummings has been instrumental in driving nearly 50% year-over-year loyalty growth — an achievement all the more remarkable given today’s fragmented foodservice market. 

Send us a textBrands are continually seeking innovative ways to enhance member engagement and provide additional value through their customer loyalty strategies. Integrating travel experiences into rewards portfolios has emerged as a compelling strategy to achieve these goals.In this edition of Leaders in Customer Loyalty: Industry Voices, Loyalty360’s Ethan Perry speaks with Nowell Outlaw, CEO of Switchfly, a travel experience platform that assists companies in creating memorable moments for their customers and employees. Outlaw discusses Switchfly's role in enhancing loyalty and rewards programs, its expansion into employee recognition solutions, and the impact of personalization and AI on the future of customer loyalty. 

Send us a textIn this Executive Spotlight, Loyalty360 CEO Mark Johnson speaks with Ryan Draude, Head of Loyalty Offer Management and Shopper Marketing at Giant Food. Draude shares his forward-thinking perspectives on building loyalty in a highly competitive and increasingly value-driven grocery market. With experience spanning financial services, hospitality, and retail, Draude brings a rich, cross-vertical understanding to loyalty program leadership. He discusses how Giant Food is differentiating through service excellence, deep customer engagement, proactive fraud prevention, and a sharp focus on creating meaningful connections beyond transactions. Draude also offers personal reflections on leadership, mentorship, and paying it forward, highlighting the human side of loyalty strategy in today's dynamic environment. Read the excerpt below and listen to the entire interview on the Leaders in Customer Loyalty podcast. 

Send us a textFor nearly a century, Publix has been a cornerstone of the Southeast’s grocery landscape, earning a level of customer devotion that transcends traditional shopping habits. Founded in 1930 by George Jenkins, the company has grown from a single store in Winter Haven, Florida, to nearly 1,400 stores across eight states, all while remaining true to its founding ethos: take care of your people, and they will take care of your customers. In a recent episode of Leaders in Customer Loyalty: Brand Stories, Maria Brous, Director of Communications at Publix, offered an inside look at how the grocer cultivates loyalty by investing in associates, elevating the customer experience, and serving communities with integrity and purpose. 

Send us a textIn an era where brands are increasingly scrutinizing the financial impact of their loyalty strategies, Jonathan Silver, CEO of Engage People, has a clear message: loyalty programs must drive measurable, positive ROI or risk becoming expendable.  Speaking with Loyalty360 as part of the "Leaders in Customer Loyalty: Industry Voices" series, Silver shared his perspective on where loyalty is headed, the technologies reshaping customer engagement, and the strategies brands must embrace to ensure their programs succeed. 

Send us a textIn an era where retail continues to evolve at breakneck speed, Office Depot and OfficeMax are setting a new standard for how customer loyalty is earned, nurtured, and scaled. With hybrid work as the new norm and customer expectations growing more complex, Office Depot is meeting the moment with a bold blend of personalized service, smart data use, and culture-driven execution. At the heart of this transformation is Kevin Moffitt, President of Office Depot's integrated business unit. Moffitt joined Office Depot over 13 years ago, initially focusing on e-commerce and digital strategy. His career spanned financial services, nonprofit, and consulting sectors before settling into retail, where he's spent the last two decades. Today, he oversees both Office Depot’s digital platform and its physical retail operations. Moffitt recently joined Mark Johnson, CEO of Loyalty360, on the Leaders in Customer Loyalty podcast to discuss how the brand is redefining customer engagement, what it means to create emotional loyalty in modern retail, and the strategic priorities driving the future of Office Depot's loyalty programs. 

Send us a textHow Loyalty Principles Drive Impact in the Nonprofit Sector Loyalty professionals spend much of their time optimizing engagement, designing value exchanges, and driving long-term brand affinity. While these strategies are typically associated with commercial brands, they’re just as relevant, and arguably more critical, in the nonprofit sector, where emotional commitment and sustained participation directly impact lives. Feeding America, the largest hunger relief organization in the United States, offers a compelling example of how loyalty principles like hyper-local relevance, omnichannel engagement, emotional connection, and strategic partnerships can be leveraged to build movements, not just memberships.  In a conversation with Loyalty360, Casey Marsh, Chief Development Officer at Feeding America, provided insight into how the organization’s work is deeply informed by many of the same mechanics used to grow customer loyalty applied through the lens of social mission.