Aimia and Points Celebrate China Rewards Launch
China’s First Multi-Merchant Coalition Loyalty Program Launches Today
TORONTO, Oct. 18, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – Building on last November’s
announcement of a minority co-investment in China Rewards, Aimia Inc.
(TSX: AIM) and Points (TSX: PTS; NASDAQ: PCOM), global leader in
loyalty currency management, are pleased to announce the launch of
China Rewards, the first coalition loyalty program in China that
enables members to earn and redeem a common currency across all
participating merchants.
“When we chose to invest in China Rewards, it was not only because we
recognized the incredible opportunity to build the loyalty market in
China, but also because we knew that in China Rewards and China Union
Pay Merchant Services, we had found the right partners,” commented
Rupert Duchesne, Aimia’s Group Chief Executive, ” We share a common
belief in the potential of the Chinese loyalty market and by leveraging
the best of what each partner brings to the table today we are
launching a program that will redefine the relationship that brands can
have with their customers in China. ”
Points’ CEO Rob MacLean added “Today’s announcement is a celebration of
the vision and commitment that China Rewards, and all partners, have
shown in launching a program that will fundamentally transform loyalty
in China.”
Mr. MacLean continued, “Unlike other programs in China, China Rewards
will provide its members with access to all of the worldwide loyalty
programs with whom we partner. By the end of this month, China Rewards’
points will join the growing list of major international loyalty
currencies participating in our consumer Loyalty Wallet at www.points.com. Members will be able to both track and exchange their points with
participating international hotel, airline and retail loyalty programs,
giving them unparalleled transaction opportunities.”
With an unrivalled network of partners across the China consisting of
leading retail brands in multiple sectors, China Rewards features many
unique attributes:
-
Convenience – no need for a membership card, as a member’s China Union
Pay issued bankcard (credit card or debit card) is their membership
card. China Union Pay’s sales terminals can recognize and process
members’ relevant information automatically. Moreover, members can
register using China Union Pay terminals at participating merchants. -
High earn rate – significantly higher than banks’ points reward
programs. -
Online and in-store – points can be earned and burned both online and
in-store. -
International Exposure – China Rewards enables members to earn and
redeem points around the world. Working with Points, China Rewards’
points can also be exchanged with participating loyalty currencies
around the world including major airlines, hotel chains, and retailers
at www.points.com.
“With global industry leading partners and a network of unrivalled
retailers and brands in China, China Rewards is uniquely positioned to
offer Chinese consumers a truly personal loyalty program that enables
them to earn and redeem where and how they choose,” said China Rewards
CEO, Cindy Wu – a seasoned executive with more than 20 years experience
in the Chinese retail and loyalty industry. “Today we are celebrating
not only all that we have accomplished over the past year, but moreover
the opportunity that we see to create a truly exceptional loyalty
experience for our clients and our members,” added Ms. Wu.
About Aimia Inc.
Aimia Inc. (“Aimia”) is a global leader in loyalty management. Employing
more than 4,000 people in over 20 countries worldwide, Aimia offers
clients, partners and members proven expertise in launching and
managing coalition loyalty programs, delivering proprietary loyalty
services, creating value through loyalty analytics and driving
innovation in the emerging digital, mobile and social communications
spaces.
Aimia owns and operates Aeroplan, Canada’s premier coalition loyalty
program, Nectar, the United Kingdom’s largest coalition loyalty program
and Nectar Italia. In addition, Aimia owns stakes in Air Miles Middle
East, Mexico’s leading coalition loyalty program Club Premier, Brazil’s
Prismah Fidelidade, and i2c, a joint venture with Sainsbury’s offering
insight and data analytics services in the UK to retailers and
suppliers. Aimia also holds a minority position in Cardlytics, a
US-based private company operating in transaction-driven marketing for
electronic banking. Aimia is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:
AIM). For more information, visit us at www.aimia.com.
About Points
Points, publicly traded as Points International Ltd. (TSX:PTS) (Nasdaq:PCOM),
is the global leader in loyalty currency management. Via a
state-of-the-art loyalty commerce platform, Points provides loyalty
eCommerce and technology solutions to the world’s top brands to enhance
their consumer offerings and streamline their back-end operations.
Points’ solutions enhance the management and monetization of loyalty
currencies ranging from frequent flyer miles and hotel points to
retailer and credit card rewards, for more than 45 partners
worldwide. Points also manages Points.com, where almost 4 million
consumers use the only industry sanctioned loyalty wallet to not only
track all of their loyalty programs but also trade, exchange and redeem
their miles and points. In addition to these services, Points’ unique
SaaS products allow eCommerce merchants to add loyalty solutions
directly to their online stores, rewarding customers for purchases at
the point-of-sale.
Points has been widely recognized among the loyalty and technology
communities alike. The Company was named the 4th largest Canadian
software company and the 40th largest Canadian technology company by
the 2013 Branham300 list. Points also ranked 40th among PROFIT
Magazine’s top 200 Canadian companies by five-year revenue growth. For
more information on Points, please visit www.Points.com, follow us @PointsBiz on Twitter or read the Points Loyalty News blog.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of United States securities legislation, and forward-looking
information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation
(collectively “forward-looking statements”), including, without
limitation, the expected launch of China Rewards. These statements are
not historical facts but instead represent expectations, estimates and
projections regarding future events. Although Points and Aimia believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements
are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to important risks and uncertainties that
are difficult to predict. Certain material assumptions are applied in
making forward-looking statements and actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Known
and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as
at the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change
after such date. Except as required by law, Points and Aimia do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements made or incorporated in this press release, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE AIMIA
Contact:
For more information from Aimia, please contact:
Krista Pawley, Vice President, Global Communications
Krista.Pawley@aimia.com
+1 416 352 3794
For more information from Points International, please contact:
Points Media relations:
Danielle Mason
ThinkInk PR
T. 305.749.5342 x 235 or 416.628.9684
E. dmason@thinkinkpr.com
Points Investor relations:
Laura Bainbridge/Kimberly Esterkin, Addo Communications
T. 310.829.5400
E. laurab@addocommunications.com; kimberlye@addocommunications.com