How Entertainment Rewards Evolved into a Digital Powerhouse for Card-Linked Loyalty
Background/Challenge
Entertainment Book, a well-established brand connecting local businesses with extensive customer networks, was undergoing a digital transformation from print publication to app. However, the transition faced significant hurdles due to cost overruns and the unexpected onset of COVID-19. After nearly 30 years as a household name in Australia, Entertainment needed a solution to stay competitive in the evolving merchant-funded offer market while maintaining its value proposition for both merchants and customers.
Solution
Linked Loyalty leveraged its Kynect platform to introduce Seamless Rewards—a streamlined, card-linked offer (CLO) solution designed to simplify merchant onboarding and offer management. The platform eliminated the need for complex point-of-sale integrations or additional hardware, allowing merchants to create and manage their own offers with ease. It also provided real-time redemption reporting, enhancing transparency and engagement for merchants. By shifting from a traditional "show and save" model to a more dynamic, self-service digital platform, Entertainment strengthened its relevance and value in the competitive loyalty space.
Results
The implementation of Seamless Rewards delivered multiple benefits:
• Merchant Offer Marketplace: A network of CLO-ready businesses, connecting with large customer bases.
• CLO-Agnostic Integration: Compatibility with major CLO platforms via APIs or batch processes, enabling participation across multiple loyalty programs.
• Merchant Offer Management: Customisable offer selection for loyalty programs.
• Automated Transaction Management: Real-time or scheduled transaction validation for seamless operations.
• Analytical Insights: Self-service analytics and insights to drive strategic program outcomes.
As a result, Entertainment successfully positioned itself as a supplier for the Mastercard Personalised Card Linked Rewards Program, further solidifying its market presence.
