Eight retailers and manufacturers are hailed for outstanding achievement in loyalty, engagement, analytics and digital solutions.
Kum & Go and United Supermarkets received marketing awards at the fourth annual LEAD Marketing Conference held Oct. 1-3.
Kum & Go operates more than 400 c-stores in 11 states, while United Supermarkets, is a 51-store grocery chain in Texas.
The awards acknowledged outstanding achievement in loyalty, engagement, analytics and digital solutions. Also receiving awards were Coca-Cola, Unilever, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Chiquita Brands, GameStop and Lowe’s.
Kum & Go, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, received a 2012 IBM LEADER Award for Excellence in Analytics for deploying an advanced analytics solution to gain better intelligence and a deep understanding of customer behaviors, preferences and desires.
United Supermarkets, based in Lubbock, Texas, received the 2012 IBM LEADER Award for Excellence in Digital Marketing. Its several achievements in the last year include launching a customized Website for each of its three major banners, launching an iPhone app for shoppers in all three banners, and enhancing the year-old Smart Rewards loyalty program in its Market Street banner.
“All of these companies have distinguished themselves by successfully leveraging technology to connect with their customers and enhance the shopping experience,” said John Karolefski, executive director of the Shopper Technology Institute (STI). He administers the awards program for IBM, the sponsor.
The annual LEAD Marketing Conference is produced by STI, a national trade organization focused on technologies and solutions that engage and motivate shoppers and analyze their behavior. Its members are solution providers in the areas of loyalty, engagement, analytics and digital solutions, as well as providers of research and insights. Associate members are retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and academics.
