Buffalo Wild Wings's Blazin' rewards program enables video game connoisseurs to accrue points prior to the release of Call of Duty: WWII, through dining in-restaurant.
Through the partnership, Wild Wings diners can gain points through ordering various menu items. Points are tracked through a companion app, eventually resulting in rewards of downloadable codes, which, when redeemed, can be applied to the Call of Duty game.
This interesting partnership demonstrates Wild Wings, a brand typically associated with sports, extending its marketing to appeal to a different demographic. By tapping into the gaming industry, Wild Wings can engage with a more digitally connected group of people, who are more accustomed to using mobile apps and codes. This partnership also serves as a means of connecting and building a community and physical meeting spot, as appose to meeting online.
What's Driving This Trend
- Gaming-focused Loyalty Programs
- Companies could implement similar loyalty programs targeting gamers as a way to engage with a digitally connected audience.
- Cross-industry Partnerships
- Partnerships between seemingly unrelated industries, such as sports bars and gaming, can provide unique opportunities for brand expansion and customer engagement.
- Mobile App Integration
- Integrating mobile apps into loyalty programs can make them more accessible and appealing to a younger, digitally-savvy generation.
Who This Affects Most
- Sports Bars
- Sports bars could extend their marketing and appeal to a different demographic by partnering with the gaming industry and implementing gaming-focused loyalty programs.
- Gaming Industry
- The gaming industry can form partnerships with non-gaming industries, such as sports bars, to provide unique opportunities for building community and customer engagement.
- Mobile App Development
- Companies that specialize in mobile app development could collaborate with businesses, such as those in the food and beverage industry, to create unique loyalty programs that integrate seamlessly with user-friendly apps.
