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 PARTNERSHIP 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 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 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 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.