Asheville entrepreneur launches new loyalty program, LoLo

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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lolo_2013Here’s the press release. Asheville entrepreneur Clark Harris is the developer of LoLo, which sounds like an ambitious program that can be used in any community. More on that in a follow-up post.

Local businesses are on board with LoLo: Locals Supporting Locals, the digital local loyalty program. More than 20 locally-born businesses have committed to the program. Membership is free for consumers who earn 5% in rewards for every dollar they spend. Anyone who joins by Nov. 25 will be entered to win $100 in rewards to spend locally without having to spend a dime.

An Asheville-based technology and marketing company, LoLo rewards members when they support participating local businesses with LoDough – redeemed like cash. Membership is free and there are no loyalty cards to carry and nothing to remember at check out. LoLo essentially turns any account-connected credit or debit card into a rewards card, by tracking spending when those cards are used with participating businesses.  LoDough is redeemed through a smart device, like a cell phone or tablet.

“We’re supporters of the local movement ,” says Clark Harris, founder of LoLo and Asheville resident. “We’re proud to leverage our technical background to bring a new tool to this movement – one that will help strengthen the local economy by influencing people to spend their money where it has the highest local impact – with locally owned businesses.”

Good for Local Businesses. LoLo provides a collaborative, low-risk opportunity for businesses to build loyalty and support, as well as measurable marketing data. It’s a pay for performance program – like paying for an advertisement only if it works.

Free: Join for free and redeem rewards easily through smart devices. Members support local businesses, LoLo does the rest.  

Rewarding: Earn 5% back for every dollar spent with local businesses using existing credit and debit cards.

Effortless: Rewards can be used at any participating business, no matter where they’re earned. No rewards cards to remember. No coupons to clip.

*LoLo is designed to work with smart devices, smart phones and tablets. It does not track cash spending.

Good for Community. LoLo gives back through partnerships with locally-born non-profits and provides a tool to measure impact on the local economy.

About LoLo: Locals Supporting Locals www.JoinLoLo.com

LoLo on Facebook.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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6 Comments

  1. Susanne Hackett November 7, 2013

    Hi there, we had a great group of pre-testers that have been using the system for the last month! Thanks for the suggestion.

    Reply
  2. JP November 4, 2013

    This is a good idea, but it would be great to get feedback from local testers pre-joining.

    Reply
  3. Susanne Hackett November 4, 2013

    This is how the program works. LoLo uses SSL encryption to secure each page in the site. LoLo only stores partial information that you submit for the purpose of matching the money you spend at LoLocations with your account. You credit card is verified through a bank grade secure portal to ensure that it’s a valid account. More questions? http://join.loloeffect.com/faq/

    Reply
  4. travis November 4, 2013

    I love the idea… but not the fact that they require your credit card information on their site to join. Seems like there would be an easier, more secure way….

    Reply
    1. Smytty November 5, 2013

      As I understand it, the intention is to be supremely easy. Rather than having to carry a card or scan a code, you just go about your normal business and gain credit for your purchases.

      I will be very interested to see how this goes. It sounds like an interesting concept.

      Reply

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