The era when blockchain in marketing was seen merely as an expensive toy for PR departments has finally come to an end. Today, instead of expiring points and closed ecosystems, businesses are increasingly choosing the transparency and liquidity enabled by decentralized ledgers.
As we look ahead, one of the air-travel trends worth watching has to do with airport lounges - and, more specifically, who can and can't access them. Later this year, American Express is updating its policies to make it a little harder for some travelers to access its Centurion Lounges. That's in keeping with broader trends in the industry, which makes it all the more interesting to see an airline going in the opposite direction.
That is one of several conclusions you're likely to draw after reading an article by Sheila Yasmin Marikar recently published in Air Mail. Marikar takes the reader into the world of small boutique hotels, the sort of establishment that attracts travelers looking for properties with an independent streak and a unique approach to doing business. The challenge here, though, is figuring out where that line exists, as some iconoclastic companies have acquired massive corporate parents over the years.
In November, the hospitality space witnessed an especially high-profile implosion - Marriott's partnership with Sonder ended abruptly, leaving travelers who thought their lodging was secure in a much more precarious place. While this particular business arrangement did not pan out as expected, it's worth considering what it reflected: a moment for the hospitality industry where hotels and residential options - think Airbnb and Vrbo - began to converge.
There are many made-up celebrations these days, but at least National Pizza Week delivers something tasty. Coming in hot on the heels of so-called quitter's day, when many people abandon their New Year's resolutions, pizza shops around the U.S. will be tossing around some deals that could save customers some dough. Of course, many people don't need an excuse to eat pizza-on any given day, about 11% of Americans do so, according to a study released in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Andrew Lissimore has been running the audio apparel site Headphones.com for nearly a decade now. While audiophiles have a high affinity towards their gear and want to try out new gadgets, Lissimore wasn't satisfied with continuously spending money on platforms like Meta and Google to acquire new customers; he wanted to find a way to better retain the customers he already had.
Have we, as a society, reached peak customer satisfaction survey? It's not unexpected to be asked to submit feedback, either on an internal system or on a public-facing website like Tripadvisor, for everything from a hotel stay to a technology helpline. It isn't hard to understand why companies ask for this, or even why they would incentivize filling them out. But there's also a big question: at what point do efforts to get feedback go too far?
In a move that perfectly captures the evolving landscape of the food and beverage industry, JetBlue Airways has partnered with NYC's fastest-growing cookie brand, Chip City Cookies, to launch an exclusive collaboration that rewards loyalty with indulgent treats. This partnership, running through December 31, 2025, demonstrates how innovative cross-industry collaborations are reshaping customer engagement in the hospitality sector. The collaboration centers around JetBlue's TrueBlue loyalty program, allowing members to earn points on every Chip City purchase across 50 locations.
As New York's legal cannabis market continues to expand, dispensaries in Utica are finding ways to connect with their customers through creative discount programs. These promotions are designed to reward loyalty, support veterans, and provide opportunities for savings, even in a market where operating costs are steep. With high taxes, expensive leases, and slim margins, most dispensaries offer modest discounts in the 5-10% range, but those savings can add up for regular customers.
The Bronx has quickly become one of the most exciting places in New York to shop for legal weed, and dispensaries across the borough are stepping up to attract and retain loyal customers. With high state taxes, steep lease costs, and thin margins, most licensed shops can't slash prices dramatically, but they are finding creative ways to reward their regulars. Customers can expect a variety of deals-typically ranging from 5% to 10% off-designed to make every visit more rewarding.
Wanda Gierhart Fearing, Cinemark's chief marketing and content officer, has a unique lens through which to view the film industry - as a longtime retail executive. Fearing, who previously wore the hat of CMO at Neiman Marcus and Limited Brands, joined Cinemark in 2018 and navigated the company's marketing through several years of difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought filmmaking to a standstill and challenged theater chains.
According to a recent Juniper Research report, global spending via QR code payments is projected to exceed $8 trillion by 2029 - a huge leap that shows how this simple tool is becoming a vital part of everyday life.
fleets of subscriptions are everywhere, and some may even say itâs a form of modern-day luxuryâone thatâs proving unsustainable for consumers juggling numerous memberships.
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