RocketBux to add mobile element to Thanks Again reward program

By Gabrielle Kalika

July 28, 2008

Merchant of wellness

Merchant-funded reward network Thanks Again has partnered with mobile advertising firm RocketBux to allow Thanks Again subscribers and participating merchants to interact via mobile messaging.

With RocketBux, Thanks Again can allow consumers to enroll in the Thanks Again Rewarding Merchant Program via mobile phone to receive scannable, bar-coded coupons based on card transaction data.

“The Thanks Again program allows a customer to join a network where they receive bonus points in their chosen loyalty program for purchases they make at specific merchant partners,” said Walt Granville, vice president of sales at RocketBux, Bend, OR. 

Once consumers enroll in the Thanks Again program, all they have to do to earn points is use any credit or debit card they register in the Thanks Again enrollment. 

“The mobile strategy is centered around communication with the consumer and, more importantly, driving consumers to the specific merchant partners," Mr. Granville said. 

"Merchants will be able to reach out to the enrollment base and will coupon offers and Thanks Again will trigger offers to participants based off the individual’s credit card transaction data,” he said.

Also, merchant and rewards consumers will be able to directly interact with Thanks Again subscribers via opt-in mobile messaging.

RocketBux offers its consumers location-based messaging via bar code delivery. The company also has offices in Palo Alto, CA; Richmond, VA; Eugene, OR; and Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Thanks Again is a merchant-funded reward network that allows national reward programs to drive rewards earning for their customers. 

This past year, Thanks Again added several thousand merchant locations and increased the number of national reward program partnerships. Merchants are said to be granted direct access to millions of consumers via these national partnerships.

This partnership with RocketBux will come to fruition Sept. 1, after the initial phase of the mobile application is distributed for an enrollment promotion through Continental Airlines' OnePass program.

Consumers will be able to enroll by texting a keyword to the RocketBux short code or through the Web site at http://www.thanksagain.com.

The mobile service uses standard text messaging and WAP protocols. It does not require any application download. Branded, bar-coded messages can be transmitted to handset type and through any wireless carrier.

“One of the biggest challenges of these programs is keeping consumers aware and engaged of the Thanks Again merchant partners,” Mr. Granville said. 

“The ability to communicate with program members in real-time with relevant, location-based mobile offers to merchant partners will increase participation from members and drive sales at those merchants,” he said.