Thorntons Honored in Paytronix Loyaltees Awards

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thorntons Inc. won a 2014 Paytronix Loyaltees Award in the Best Social Innovation category. The awards recognized five innovative loyalty programs for their use of Paytronix Systems Inc.'s Rewards platform in order to provide a quality customer experience.

The Thorntons "Matching Gift Campaign" leveraged the retailer's Paytronix-powered Refreshing Rewards program to simplify donations and reporting for its first localized charity campaign with the University of Louisville, according to the announcement.

"Paytronix is the funnel, the vehicle through which Thorntons Refreshing Rewards can connect to a local community and encourage members to participate in localized promotions," said Thorntons Loyalty Manager Chrissy Marzano.

Thorntons integrated a donate-at-the-pump element that contributed to meeting its $6-million goal, with $3 million coming from customers and $3 million coming from Thorntons' matching contribution.

"Selecting three winners from the overwhelming number of fantastic entries was so difficult that we added two new categories. These five winners best demonstrate how our customers are changing the customer-engagement game with new ways of interacting with and motivating their guests," said Paytronix President Andrew Robbins. "The Loyaltees give Paytronix an extra opportunity to showcase the true loyalty innovators, our clients. We look forward to seeing more of their ingenious ideas in the years to come."

Other winners included Yogurtland's "Flavor Quest" for Loyalty Innovation; The Green Turtle's "Green Turtle Rewards Gamification" for Best Mobile Loyalty Innovation; Duffy's Sports Grill's "Big Game Giveaway" for Most Relevant Messaging; and Beggars Pizza's "Big Cheese Club" for Best Loyalty Launch Winner.

Louisville-based Thorntons Inc. operates 180 convenience stores and gas stations in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida.