It’s about time we introduce you to the brains behind Airtime Rewards, our Co-Founders, Josh and Adam!
First up in the hot seat is Josh, our Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer...
What are your backgrounds and how did you meet?
We worked together in Manchester for a mobile technology business where we built solutions with mobile network operators and global brands. Our speciality was customer loyalty and retention.
One of our most notable projects was the UK’s most successful mobile loyalty and rewards programmes, Orange Wednesdays! We also worked with brands like The Guardian, ESPN, Chelsea FC and Heineken on developing their mobile strategies.
You could say that we were building apps before apps were a thing!
What inspired you to launch Airtime Rewards?
We found that typical rewards programmes were boring and the technology was clunky, and both customers and retailers were looking for a better experience. It was time to shake the rewards and incentive space up.
This, together with the increased prevalence of smartphones in our daily lives, led us to think the incentive of money off your mobile bill was a powerful one.
What was the biggest challenge of launching a start-up?
Airtime Rewards is a B2B2C business and our model requires acquiring both members and retail partners.
In the early stages both were needed to drive one another (ie. without members it’s difficult to gain traction with retailers and vice versa). For this reason, we had to be strategic with how we went to the market. Luckily, we were able to build traction and credibility through our partnership with O2.
What makes Airtime Rewards stand out from the competition?
Our unique rewards currency. No one else can issue rewards back against a customer's mobile account. It’s hugely powerful and proven to influence spend.
What achievement are you most proud of so far?
There are a few things but I would say the feedback from our members. Our members truly love using our service and that shows in our Net Promoter Score (80) and app store ratings (4.7/5) and Trustpilot (4.7/5).
What can we expect to see from Airtime Rewards in the next year? Anything exciting?
There are a lot of exciting new app features in the pipeline to help our members earn even more rewards. Plus, we’re working on something pretty huge for our retail partners but I can’t say much more than that!
Watch this space...
And finally, why should everyone be using Airtime Rewards?
Customers should be rewarded for showing loyalty to their favourite brands. Most rewards programmes are either difficult to operate or the incentive on offer isn’t strong enough - we call them pointless points!
At Airtime, we solve both of these problems for our members: slick technology partnered with a unique relevant currency.
Simple, Powerful Rewards.
Quick-fire Questions 🔥
1. Favourite Airtime feature?
Challenges
2. Other than Airtime, what is your favourite app?
Spotify
3. Spender or Saver?
Saver
4. First Job?
Suit shop
5. Best thing about working at Airtime?
Working with a great team
6. Which retailer have you spent most with?
Greggs!
7. Favourite food?
Indian
8. Dogs or Cats?
Dogs
9. What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I've been inside Buckingham Palace, Westminster and 10 Downing Street!
We hope you enjoyed getting to know our co-founder and CMO, Josh!
Keep an eye out for future Meet the Team blogs and opportunities to join the Airteam on our LinkedIn page.
