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CATEGORIES

The South African  Loyalty Awards are open to all companies in South Africa that have loyalty at the core of its business.
 

All companies irrespective of size or profile are welcome to enter the awards. Entries are welcome from all brands, agencies and loyalty technology providers.
 

A total of 31categories are available to enter. There is no limit on the number of categories which a company can enter.

CATEGORY 1

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

RETAIL

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the retail industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2023.

CATEGORY 2

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

FINANCIAL SERVICES

This award will be awarded to the brand, which demonstrates that it has
the best loyalty programme in the financial services industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2023.

 

CATEGORY 3

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

RESTAURANTS / QSR

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the restaurant/QSR industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2023.

CATEGORY 4

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

TRAVEL / HOSPITALITY

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the travel/leisure industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2023.

CATEGORY 5

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

B2B

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in your industry, in a B2B programme, over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2023.

CATEGORY 6

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

SME 

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in your industry, as SME, over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2023.

CATEGORY 7

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

HAIR , BEAUTY & SPA

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the hair, beauty and spa industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2023.

CATEGORY 8

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

ONLINE / ECOMMERCE

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme online over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2023.

CATEGORY 9

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

 

FUEL
 

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the fuel industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. 

CATEGORY 10

BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

 

TELCO
 

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the telco industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. 

CATEGORY 11

 BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:

 

ENTERTAINMENT/ LEISURE
 

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the entertainment/leisure industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. 

CATEGORY 12

BEST CRM/LOYALTY PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

 

AUTOMOBILE

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best CRM or loyalty programme in the automobile industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. 

CATEGORY 13

BEST PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

 

PARTNERSHIP

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it added value to its members via loyalty partnerships in its loyalty programme. This needs to demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering, showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation and enhanced partnership customer experience for members. 

CATEGORY 14

BEST  PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR: 

 

NEWCOMER

This award will be awarded to the new loyalty brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best newcomer programme launched in 2023 and can demonstrate overall commercial benefit to the organisation (Launch date: 17 Feb 2023 – present day must have been in market for a minimum of 3 months).

CATEGORY 15

BEST RE-LAUNCHED PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR

RE-LAUNCHED

This award will be awarded to the new loyalty brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best re-launched programme launched in 2023 and can demonstrate overall commercial benefit to the organisation (must have been in market for a minimum of 3 months). The programme must have been re-launched since 17 Feb 2023. The re-launch must be a significant change and programme re-launch rather than incremental ad hoc programme improvements.

CATEGORY 16

BEST LONG-TERM PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:

LONG-TERM

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in its industry over a long period (> 5 years) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefit. to the organisation. The programme must have been in the market before June 2019. The brand must demonstrate longevity and performance in the marketplace.

CATEGORY 17

BEST LOYALTY 
AGENCY MARKETING / REWARDS  OF THE YEAR

This award will be awarded to the best loyalty (marketing & rewards) agency in South Africa. Agencies are encouraged to submit their achievements in loyalty and CRM and for brands they have worked with in this environment. A demonstration of skills in loyalty marketing, CRM and rewards fulfilment to drive programme performance will be assessed. 

CATEGORY 18

BEST LOYALTY RULES ENGINE TECHNOLOGY VENDOR OF THE YEAR 

This award will be awarded to the best loyalty rules engine technology vendor servicing SA based clients. Vendors are encouraged to submit their achievements and successes for their platforms delivering loyalty & rewards technology. Judges will assess this category based on the technology vendor’s capability, NOT its clients’ programme results, i.e. please showcase your capability with client examples to highlight success

CATEGORY 19

BEST LOYALTY ENABLEMENT TECHNOLOGY VENDOR OF THE YEAR (NOT CORE LOYALTY RULES ENGINE)

This award will be awarded to the best loyalty technology enablement vendor servicing an SA based client. Vendors are encouraged to submit their achievements and successes for their platforms delivering loyalty & rewards technology. Judges will assess this category based on the technology vendor’s capability, NOT its clients’ programme results, i.e. please showcase your capability with client examples to highlight success.
This category is NOT the same as category 18. Category 18 is for core loyalty rules engine vendors. Category 19 is for additional enablement functionality (i.e. gamification, marketing automation and engagements, etc.)

CATEGORY 20

BEST LOYALTY DATA 
AGENCY / VENDOR OF THE YEAR 

This award will be awarded to the best loyalty data company in South Africa. Data agencies are encouraged to submit their achievements in data analytics for the brands they have worked with. They need to show skills in statistical analysis, market research, analytics, and programme performance measurements.
 

CATEGORY 21

BEST SHORT-TERM LOYALTY 
MARKETING CAMPAIGN 
OF THE YEAR 

This award will go to the organisation or brand that can demonstrate how it has implemented the best marketing campaign linked to its loyalty programme or loyalty initiative.  Brands must demonstrate how they have developed a winning campaign to address a challenge in the marketplace, utilise outstanding creative elements (which engages new or existing customers) and the use of relevant personalised communications.

CATEGORY 22

BEST STRATEGIC USE OF DATA ANALYTICS / CRM APPLICATIONS

This award will be awarded to the brand that demonstrates positive results, clearly derived from the insightful use of customer data and the application in CRM.  In addition, demonstration of effective targeting and modelling, profitable customer segmentation and deep analytical grasp of consumer attitudes and behaviours will be assessed

CATEGORY 23

BEST USE OF AI TO IMPROVE LOYALTY EXPERIENCE /  PERFORMANCE

This award will be awarded to the brand which delivers a loyalty initiative where AI has played a pivotal role in enhancing its overall loyalty offering for their customers.  

CATEGORY 24

MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR LOYALTY

This award will be awarded to the brand which delivers a loyalty initiative where technology has played a pivotal role in enhancing its overall loyalty offering for their customers.  Innovation in technology for loyalty will be assessed.

CATEGORY 25

BEST USE OF MULTI-CHANNEL LOYALTY COMMUNICATION / ENGAGEMENT 

This award will be awarded to recognise engagement/communication innovation across multiple channels. The brand must show insight-led use of email, mobile & social within a loyalty initiative which delivers loyalty & CRM communications to the brand’s membership base.

CATEGORY 26

BEST USE OF GAMIFICATION OF THE YEAR 

This award will be awarded to the best use of gamification in loyalty. Brands need to showcase how this has benefited the programme’s performance, how the customer experience is enhanced and how members benefit from the gamification.

CATEGORY 27

BEST LOYALTY CSI OR ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE / CAMPAIGN

This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and/ or community via its loyalty initiatives.  Entries will be judged according to the role the programme has played in caring for the environment and communities.  Any community economic and social benefits should be highlighted. The loyalty programme or campaign must show its commitment and impact to community & sustainability initiatives, as well as social, environmental, ethical practices and working with charities.

CATEGORY 28

BEST USE OF INFORMATIVE CONTENT TO DRIVE LOYALTY 

This award will be awarded to the best use of informative content to drive loyalty. Brands need to showcase how content has changed their members’ loyalty experience.

CATEGORY 29

INDUSTRY TALENT
OF THE YEAR:

NOMINATION 

We would like to recognise individuals who are making a significant contribution to the loyalty industry in South Africa. There are no set criteria for this award/recognition, but we must see strong loyalty talent demonstrated through their current or previous roles.

CATEGORY 30

INDUSTRY PERSONALITY
OF THE YEAR:

NOMINATION 

We would like to recognise one individual who has made the most significant contribution to the loyalty industry in South Africa. There are no set criteria for this award/recognition but we must see service to the loyalty industry above and beyond normal job functions.

CATEGORY 31

INDUSTRY TEAM
OF THE YEAR

NOMINATION 

We would like to recognise teams who are making a significant contribution to the loyalty industry. There are no set criteria for this award/recognition, but we must see service to the loyalty industry above and beyond normal job functions.

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