Incentive - February 2008 - (Page 58)

GIFT CARDS >> from elegant armoires to fragrant candles at more than 1,100 Pier 1 Imports locations. Technophiles can get their hands on the latest electronics with gift cards for the Sharper Image, Best Buy, and Circuit City. >> How do you use gift cards/certificates in your incentive programs? ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT Music, movies, meals, and more can be part of the mix when planning a fun night out. The Ticketmaster Gift Card provides access to some of the biggest music and sporting events throughout the United States and Canada. Available for purchase and redemption online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone through Ticketmaster’s Charge-by-Phone network, and at most retail ticket centers, the Ticketmaster Gift Card features a range of denominations from $25 to $250 and has no expiration date. Fans of film can view the latest blockbusters—and fill up on concessions—at their local theater when they redeem the AMC Entertainment Card, available in any dollar amount, or the Regal Entertainment Group Movie Card, which comes with a personalized greeting card and is available in denominations of $10, $25, and $50. Dozens of dining gift cards are also on the menu from a wide variety of restaurants including Applebee’s, Legal Seafoods, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, and more. Companies can also treat their employees to a nice evening at home with dinner provided by gift cards from Omaha Steaks and entertainment from the wide selection of books and movies available for purchase with the Amazon.com gift card. •RECOGNIZE PERFORMANCE: 73.8% •SALES INCENTIVES: 46.8% •NON-SALES RECOGNITION AWARDS: 35.7% •BUSINESS GIFTS: 34.5% •SERVICE AWARDS: 32.5% •SPOT REWARDS: 32.1% •START/MAINTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP: 17.9% •CONSUMER PROMOTIONS: 16.7% •SAFETY AWARDS: 9.9% •WELLNESS PROGRAMS: 8.3% •DEALER INCENTIVES: 6.8% •OTHER: 1.6% Source: 2007 Incentive Gift Card Facts Survey EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES A relatively new addition to the incentive industry, experiential gift cards let recipients choose their own adventure. Great American Days in Atlanta is one company that encourages individuals to fulfill their fantasies, with the Great American Days Gift Card good for an array of activities, from swimming with the sharks to hot air balloon rides and private chocolate workshops. “The experience market is growing in popularity. There has been a shift: Where in the past, people wanted to own things, now they want to do things,” says Robert Prusa, account manager for Great American Days. The Great American Days Gift Card is available in denominations of $25, $50, and $100, while gift certificates go from $25 and up. Another option is the Signature Days Gift Card—available in four different categories in preloaded denominations of $20, $50, and $100, as well as loadable cards—which can be used to redeem over 3,500 original experiences across the United States. “Instead of sweaters, pot, or pans, we are providing an experience, whether it is a personal chef cooking dinner in your home, a midnight yoga experience, riding shot gun in a stock car, or the chance to be a fighter pilot for a day,” says Chris Widdess, president of the Chicago-based Signature Days. For a recent T-Mobile promotion, the Signature Days Gift Card proved quite the motivator in helping to spur sales of BlackBerry products. The promotion, developed by IncentOne, attracted a high level of participation from the company’s sales associates. With each sale, they received points good towards Signature Days Gift Cards, which could be later used for the experience of their choice. “Experiences are aspirational and inspirational at the same time, and can be extremely motivating,” Widdess says. No matter the inspirations or interests of incentive winners, chances are there is a gift card out there just for them. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 58 | February 2008 http://www.Amazon.com http://www.signaturedays.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - February 2008

Incentive Magazine - February 2008 Editor’s Note: Archie and the Boys In The News Cover Story: On The Ball Incentives Incentive Primer: How to Use Sporting Events Incentive Interview: Jim Avery on Doing the Right Thing Employee Empowerment Motivates and Pays Dividends Hospitals, Nurses Win With Flexible Scheduling Legal Ease: Safety Programs and Unions Case Study: The Weitz Company Retains Its Boomers Potentials: Here and Now Star Power in the Kitchen Awards: Gift Card Trends for the New Year Travel News The Manhattanization of Las Vegas Classics Renewed: Monaco and France Advertiser Index Off The Cuff: Tumi’s Mike Landry

Incentive - February 2008

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