Zave Networks is a digital incentive firm and ScanBuy a mobile barcode business. We scooped Zavers launch of mobile coupons here and it seems that ScanBuy has taken the initiative to partner with the company.
How?
1. You take a picture on the phone
2. The browser is launched and consumers are directed to the Zavers mobile site
3. The coupon is displayed.
4. The coupon can then be saved in the Zavers account and it can be redeemed by swiping a loyalty card at the retailer.
From the press release:
“We are enabling the next generation of ‘discounts and coupons.’ There is enormous growth in the digital incentive market because consumers continue to look for easy and convenient ways to save money, and advertisers look for better measurement of promotional spending. Zavers is uniquely positioned to drive the industry forward,” said Jonathan Bulkeley, Chief Executive Officer of Scanbuy. “We are impressed by how easy Zavers has made it for consumers to save using a variety of access methods, and the ScanLife application should add another simple way to access coupons from physical media.”
What we think?
Loyalty incentives with mobile are vital. This is a great very early stage initiative from Scanbuy and Zavers but if the loyalty card itself could be removed and be replaced by the phone – then the service would rock.
For example, after attending Hit Barcelona last week, I have opened my eyes to amazing Green Tech issues. Plastic loyalty cards are a waste and some innovation now at the mobile coupon enterprise level could create a killer eco-friendly loyalty solution to consumers.
Without a doubt mobile barcodes and services in mobile loyalty and coupons are going to be a huge success –but more than this early stage is vital (because the competition is fierce).
Look what happened to the Moufon that was in essence this service two years ago… it went bust… and this didn’t work. And the competition from Cellfire/Verizon is hot.. as it is from YadaHome and MobiQpon.
I think the barcode market might be early for loyalty but this is a good step forward. We were more impressed with Scanbuy’s move to Twitter codes and feel that social media influence of mobile codes could be the best foot forward for all mobile barcode solution providers in the economic downturn.
