New app rewards Shark supporters

Sharksfrenzy members benefit from a select, handpicked range of restaurants, accommodation, travel packages, electronics and vehicle hire and members are entitled to a guaranteed reward at every one of the participating rewards partners.

"As acknowledged brand-leaders, The Sharks are once-again at the forefront of digital innovation," said Sharks marketing manager Michael Ablett of this new technological delivery. "It is not simply about the game but the whole experience associated with the team and we are proud to be the first to launch this innovative product that rewards our fans."

In order to redeem any rewards offered, the app user must be an activated Sharksfrenzy member, at a cost of R100 per year. Inactive members are able to check-in, create social comments and share their activity with their friends through other existing social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, but cannot redeem any rewards.

Reward partners

The app identifies the user's location and then indicates which reward partners are within a certain radius around them. Rewards are not redeemable if a member attempts to check-in at a reward partner outside of this radius. In order to redeem the reward, it must be validated and there is a unique 'word of the day' for each reward partner, valid for 24 hours. Activated members will have to ask the staff member at the establishment what the word of the day is. This validates and unlocks the rewards.

All rewards offered are instant, not based on point's accumulation or by how much users have participated. Members are automatically entitled to either an instant discount or a random reward at reward partner's establishments.

The random rewards have been designed as an interactive and fun way to get the most out of the check-in. Establishments who have activated their random rewards have four offerings such as exclusive discounts, specials or instant rewards. This could be a unique menu item at a low price, a free beer or glass of wine at check-in or R20 worth of biltong.

Although the app knows users' location and which reward partners to display, the company has added a special touch by providing all its reward partners with a window sticker indicating their participation in the program. The QR code on the sticker will make it easier to download and activate the app.

Game day draws

The greater the use of the app, the more entries into the game day draws. The game day draws are all lifestyle orientated and include a trip for a family of four to destinations in Southern Africa, weekend getaways, gas braais and prizes for junior Sharks Fans.

"The more you use the app outside the stadium walls, the more entries activated members are able to earn for game day draws," says Justin Raleigh, new media director of LoyalT. "Once you check in on game day, validating that you are in fact at the game, your pooled entries become active and give you a higher chance of winning.

"The app is constantly evolving and adapting to what it learns from our active members and their activity. There are updates planned in the next few weeks that will cross the boundaries of sport and spend in ways only imagined before."

The app has the built-in ability to gift it to friends, family and clients and colleagues. Members may pre-activate as many memberships as they need. Each additional membership purchased has a unique discount code that is entered when a member creates an account. As a corporate gift, the app has the ability to swap the launch screen for any message or company logo required.

For more information, go to www.sharksfrenzy.co.za.