OUTdrive

Connecting with People Through Loyalty

Mark Ross Smith · November 22, 2022

Entrepreneur · Leadershipin

Interview with Mark Ross Smith

Podcast: OUTdrive

November 22, 2022 · 34 min

Listen

Connecting with People Through Loyalty

0:00 / --:--

OUTdrive

GO TO APPLE PODCASTS →

Key topicsDelivering Increased Revenue through Loyalty ProgramsA study by the Hotel Loyalty Report found that hotels with loyalty programs had an average occupancy rate of 75%, while those without programs had an average occupancy rate of 68%. This suggests that loyalty programs can help hotels fill more rooms and generate more revenue. How Artificial Intelligence and Big Data are Disrupting Airline and Hotel Loyalty ProgrammesAI and big data are transforming the way loyalty programs are managed and operated. For example, the use of AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants is allowing companies to automate routine tasks, such as account management and rewards redemption, freeing up resources for more strategic initiatives. Additionally, the use of big data is allowing companies to track and analyze customer behavior in real-time, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their loyalty programs. (Source: Forbes, "How AI and Big Data are Revolutionizing Loyalty Programs") Disruptive Trends in Loyalty: Innovating to Drive Customer EngagementThe airline loyalty status is held by the most valuable global travelers, who represent 30-40% of airline revenue. Mark Ross-Smith and his company, Loyalty Data Co, have demonstrated their expertise in this area by delivering thousands of high-value travelers to Canada in 2021/2022 through their platform, Status Match.com, in conjunction with Destination Canada and Air Canada. View all topics →

About Mark Ross Smith

Award Winning Loyalty Data Thought Leader

25+ Major travel brands worked with100,000s Travellers helped by Loyalty Status Co2022 Loyalty Royalty 30 Under 40800,000+ members Australian social network co-founded & sold

Mark Ross-Smith is a global leader in the airline loyalty industry, with a passion for delivering value to both travellers and airlines. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Loyalty Data Co, Mark is shaking up the industry with his cutting-edge loyalty platform, StatusMatch.com. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Mark has a proven track record of success, having led the Malaysia Airlines Enrich Loyalty Program to consecutive years of financial growth. He was also the CEO of a leading high-tech start-up, where he harnessed the power of big data to drive incremental revenue for Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone.

Mark is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, known for his unique approach to loyalty innovation. He's been featured in major media outlets such as CNN, BBC, The Economist, and Financial Times, and has published numerous papers and articles on airline loyalty on his website, www.traveldatadaily.com. In 2022, Mark was also awarded Loyalty Magazine's prestigious "Loyalty Royalty" 30 Under 40 Award.

Mark's entrepreneurial journey has been nothing short of impressive. He co-founded and sold the largest Australian-owned social network, which had over 800,000 members and major global brands as customers. He's now focused on airline and loyalty data and has published over 50 thought-leadership articles on airline loyalty and big data monetization.

Featured onApple Featured onSpotify Featured onYouTube

View profile →

About this episode

Every loyalty program should be designed to do one primary function: connect people; connect people to the things they want, to the rewards they can earn, or the status they want to attain. For example, we see commercials all the time for companies emphasizing their points, miles, and perks for frequent flyers. In this episode, airline loyalty thought leader Mark Ross-Smith joins OUTdrive from across the world in Malaysia for an introspective on building a successful loyalty program.

Mark is the CEO and co-founder at StatusMatch, a global status management firm that works with some of the world's largest airline brands. His company enables individuals to maintain their status level when they switch to a new airline or hotel chain. Mark has 20 years of experience leading loyalty programs in travel and telecommunications, most recently at Malaysian Airlines. Mark is also the founder and editor of the industry blog, TravelDataDaily.com. He is a globally recognized, award-winning thought leader and known as one of the "brightest minds in loyalty."

Tune in for a dynamic conversation with Mark on the marketing behind loyalty campaigns, the impact of big tech on airlines, and an international perspective on rural America.

What you'll learn:

Mark's background and how his career journey through telco and startups eventually led to a niche in the airline loyalty industry Details behind Mark's industry blog, TravelDataDaily.com Marketing and industry insights from Mark's time running the Malaysia Airlines loyalty program Details behind Mark's company, StatusMatch.com, which helps consumers maintain loyalty status when they switch their business to a new airline or hotel The audience that StatusMatch is trying to reach and how audience behavior impacts the strategy used to reach them What it's like living in Malaysia and the positive perceptions of rural America from around the world

Guest: Mark Ross Smith