TDS Quarterly e-Newsletter Q3 2023
Welcome to the TDS Gift Cards quarterly gift card industry and client update, where you can discover the latest gift card industry insights!
New Client Expansions
We’re thrilled to announce that following their USA program launch, the Meta Quest gift card has expanded internationally. You can now purchase Meta Quest gift cards in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the UK.
We are proud to announce that the TDS team has expanded Airbnb’s gift card program, which is now available in Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
New Client Announcements
We are excited to share that we have partnered with eBay, the world’s online marketplace. TDS will be eBay’s program management and processing partner.
TDS is proud to announce our partnership with ViX, the first global large-scale streaming service created specifically for the Spanish-speaking world.
A Fall Full of Industry Events
IMA Europe London Summit – September 27 – 28, London, UK
Earlier this week, we were sponsors of the IMA Europe London Summit, which is the leading event in the European incentives market. If you would like to learn more about the EMEA market, reach out to TDS Gift Cards Director of EMEA, Jay Atkinson, to get connected at [email protected]
RGCA Forum – Oct 8 – 10, Dallas, TX
The TDS Gift Cards team is proud to sponsor the RGCA Forum 2023, continuing our streak of supporting the premier event for the gift card industry.
Join TDS CTO & VP – Product, Bill Ralston, as he leads a discussion on Trends & Innovations in the gift card industry on October 9th and TDS Co-Founder & COO, Tim Pechmann, as he speaks on the Evolution of Gift Cards panel on October 10th.
Visit us at the TDS Gift Cards table in the Innovation Lab to learn about all of our exciting developments from 2023. If you are interested in booking a meeting with our team, please reach out to [email protected]
The BIG Handshake – Loyalty – October 16 – 17, Amsterdam, NL
The TDS Gift Cards team is excited to attend The BIG Handshake Loyalty event this year in Amsterdam. We look forward to connecting with some of the brightest minds in the loyalty industry. Will you be attending? Reach out to TDS Gift Cards Director of EMEA, Jay Atkinson, to get connected at [email protected]
Money20/20 USA – October 22 – 25, Las Vegas, NV
TDS is looking forward to attending Money20/20, the largest event in fintech this year, in Las Vegas. If you will be in town, let us know by reaching out to [email protected]
3 Fundamental Gift Card Program Requirements
Gift cards have cemented their position as a convenient and versatile gifting option, remaining the most requested holiday gift for 15+ years. Gift cards are an increasingly required payment, loyalty, and customer acquisition vehicle. However, building a successful program requires much more than just printing and distributing cards. To maximize the potential of its global gift card program, brands need solutions for three essential requirements: processing, distribution, and a team to lead ongoing program growth.
The experts at TDS Gift Cards have over 100 years of combined experience providing industry-leading solutions for those three requirements. Read our blog from TDS Co-founder and COO Tim Pechmann here.
TDS 101: A Guide to Gift Card Creative
Gift card creative is an entirely different avenue of branding than most brands are used to, with your gift card essentially acting as a tiny billboard that needs to scream your brand’s name. Getting the creative on your gift card right can make a big difference at retail and beyond.
Learn about the key elements you need to include for your gift card creative by reading our blog from TDS Gift Cards Director of Operations Kelly Solko here.
California Plastic Gift Card Ban Update
On September 20, 2023, the California legislature pushed through an amendment to the Public Resources Code through its passage of California Senate Bill 728 (CA SB 728), banning the sale and distribution of plastic gift cards by retailers in the State. CA SB 728 is awaiting signature by Governor Newsom.
According to CA SB 728, “On and after January 1, 2027, a retailer shall not sell, offer for sale, or distribute a gift card made of plastic in this state.” The bill allows retailers to continue to sell, offer for sale, or distribute existing stock of plastic cards that were acquired before January 1, 2027, through January 1, 2028.
The first violation of this provision is punishable by a civil penalty of twenty-five dollars per retailer for the day the violation occurs. Any subsequent violation is punishable by a civil penalty of one hundred dollars per retailer for each day the violation occurs. The Attorney General, district attorney, county counsel, or city attorney have the ability to enforce this section, and the enforcement and fine are assessed against the retailer not the individual brand or issuer of the gift card.
The ban does not apply to gift cards usable with multiple sellers of goods or services, provided the expiration date, if any, is printed on the card; nor a plastic card used to pay public transit fares.
TDS Gift Cards offers a unique approach to global gift card processing and program management. The TDS platform is one of the largest networks globally, with over 4M distribution points in over 40 countries. Clients leveraging our global suite of services include Netflix, Uber, DoorDash, Nike, Meta, Airbnb, Instacart, and more!
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