Leaders in Customer Loyalty, Powered by Loyalty360

Send us a textLoyalty programs are undergoing a transformation, driven by shifting consumer expectations, technological advancements, and an increased focus on delivering real value. As brands navigate this evolving landscape, they’re making bold moves to refine, reinvent, and, in some cases, completely overhaul their loyalty strategies. In this installment of Leaders in Customer Loyalty: Industry Voices, we sit down with Mladen Vladic, Head of Products and Services for Loyalty at FIS, to discuss what’s driving this industry-wide shift. From the growing emphasis on non-transactional rewards to the role of AI in shaping personalized customer experiences, Vlad shares key insights on where loyalty is headed in 2025. 

Send us a textWelcome to another Leaders in Customer Loyalty: Executive Spotlight, where we bring you insights from top executives driving innovation and excellence in customer engagement. Today, we’re thrilled to feature Aly Blawat, Senior Director of Customer Strategy at Blain’s Farm and Fleet. She is a seasoned leader in customer loyalty and the driving force behind Blain’s rewards programs, credit card offerings, and customer insights strategy. With over 15 years of experience in the loyalty space, Aly has a deep understanding of what it takes to foster customer advocacy, streamline in-store training, and create meaningful engagement strategies. In this conversation, she shares her approach to aligning loyalty initiatives with business goals, leveraging first-party data to enhance customer experiences, and overcoming the challenge of driving program adoption across diverse customer segments. Beyond her professional expertise, Aly also opens up about leadership lessons learned from her early career in retail management, the challenges of balancing a high-impact career with family life, and her passion for outdoor recreation. Join Loyalty360 CEO Mark Johnson as he explores how Aly is shaping the future of customer loyalty at Blain’s Supply and gain valuable insights into the strategies that are making an impact in today’s evolving retail landscape. 

Send us a textCruises.com has unveiled Cruises.com Rewards, the cruise industry’s first points-based loyalty program, offering travelers the flexibility to earn and redeem points on any cruise booked through their platform. This loyalty program is unique as it enables cruisers to immediately redeem their points for onboard credit, cash back, merchandise, and more, enhancing the overall cruise experience.  Loyalty360 CEO, Mark Johnson, recently sat down with Rosemarie Reed, Senior Vice President of Marketing for cruises.com, who has played a pivotal role in the launch of Cruises.com Rewards. This episode of Brand Stories highlights various key factors in how to create a successful loyalty program and best practices to keeping customers engaged through the program. 

Send us a textAs part of the Leaders in Customer Loyalty: Industry Voices series, we had the opportunity to speak with Alexa Pak, Customer Success Lead of EMEA at Talon.One. Pak brings extensive expertise in helping brands enhance their loyalty programs through strategic innovation and personalization.In this discussion, she shares her insights on key trends that will shape customer loyalty in 2025 and beyond.

Send us a textIn our first Executive Spotlight of the year Loyalty360 CEO Mark Johnson dives into an energizing conversation with Amy Barnett, the Vice President of Digital Experience and Loyalty at Cracker Barrel, as part of the Leaders in Customer Loyalty Series. From spearheading a loyalty program that now drives 30% of Cracker Barrel’s sales to shaping an iconic brand’s transformation in today’s rapidly evolving dining landscape, Amy reveals her playbook for success.This interview is packed with fresh insights on harnessing the "power couple" of first- and third-party data, leveraging generative AI for personalization, and shaking up outdated technology strategies. Plus, Amy shares her career secrets, her passion for mentorship, and the advice she’d give to the next generation of loyalty professionals. Don’t miss this dynamic conversation with one of the industry's most dynamic leaders, she’ll leave you inspired and ready to level up your customer loyalty strategy!

Send us a textCustomer loyalty in the grocery industry is no longer just about discounts and rewards points. It is about creating meaningful connections and offering tangible value in ways that truly resonate. United Supermarkets has embraced this shift by blending gamification, digital engagement, and health-focused initiatives to drive deeper customer loyalty. To explore this strategy, we spoke with Brenda Garcia, Health & Wellness Manager and Registered Dietitian, and Robin Cash, Director of Digital and Loyalty Marketing at United Supermarkets. Their insights reveal how customer expectations are evolving—and how United is staying ahead of the curve. 

Send us a textLoyalty programs have evolved far beyond simple points and rewards. In an era where consumers expect hyper-personalized experiences and seamless omnichannel interactions, brands must rethink how they engage and retain customers. From leveraging AI to recalibrating business models, staying ahead requires both innovation and strategic execution. In this episode of Industry Voices, Mark Johnson of Loyalty360 sits down with Don Smith, Chief Consulting Officer at Capillary, to unpack the latest trends in customer loyalty. They discuss what predictions for 2024 held true, where the industry fell short, and what key strategies will define success in 2025. With insights on AI, partnerships, financial engineering, and program design, this conversation is a must-read for any loyalty professional looking to refine their approach. 

Send us a textIn a beverage industry dominated by coffee culture, iced tea is making a bold statement, thanks to HTeaO. The rapidly growing franchise has transformed a traditionally home-brewed beverage into a sought-after, in-store experience that fosters both emotional and transactional loyalty.  We recently sat down with Heath Nielsen, President of HTeaO, to discuss the company’s journey, its approach to customer engagement, and the future of iced tea in the quick-service industry. 

Send us a textChuck E. Cheese has been a household name in family entertainment for nearly five decades. With 560 locations across 17 countries, the brand has entertained families with children ages 2 to 12 through its unique blend of games, pizza, and birthday celebrations. However, as consumer preferences and economic challenges have shifted, Chuck E. Cheese has adapted with significant investments in modernizing its facilities and reimagining its loyalty programs to better meet the needs of today’s families. In our latest installment of Leaders in Customer Loyalty, we had the chance to learn more about the details of these fresh initiatives from Mark Kupferman, the Executive Vice President and Chief Insights and Marketing Officer. Read the full article on Loyalty360 here: https://loyalty360.org/content-gallery/in-depth-exclusives/pizza-play-and-a-fun-pass-how-chuck-e-cheese-is-winning-hearts-and-walletsWatch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6F9lpzXIKM

Send us a textLoyalty is no longer just about points and perks. It is about creating authentic connections and experiences that resonate. In this edition of Loyalty Live, we spoke with Katie Berndt, Vice President of Strategy, Research, and Insights at Phaedon, to uncover the biggest trends in customer loyalty and how brands can rise to meet them. Katie shared grounded, data-driven insights that reveal how loyalty programs are evolving—and how businesses can stay relevant by striking the perfect balance between innovation and consistency. Read the full interview on Loyalty3360 here: https://loyalty360.org/content-gallery/daily-news/loyalty-live-key-customer-loyalty-trends-with-phaedon-s-katie-berndt