News

Jul
24
2015

Travel Tags at the IMA Executive Summit 2015

The IMA Executive Summit is right around the corner, and we're hoping to see you in Nashville! To spark conversation, we'd like to introduce our latest software addition that makes customizing and ordering small volume cards easier for you! 

Interested in learning more? Contact a Travel Tags' representative to grab a drink at the IMA Executive Summit and discuss how we can make your day-to-day a little less stressful.

MEDIA CONTACT:
DAVIDA EDMUNDSON | PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGER
651 334 5875
DAedmundson@traveltags.com 

TAGS:   card manufacturing, card services, IMA, IMA Executive Summit 2015

Jul
10
2015

Webinar Archive: Gift Card Fulfillment Trends & How to Deliver a Positive Experience Every Time

Travel Tags’ 2015 Gift Card Fulfillment Study observed the online gift card presence and fulfillment of 100+ merchants across 14 industries. An archive of the webinar is now available for you to view. We hope you find it valuable information as you develop and review your own gift card fulfillment. As mentioned during the webinar, we encourage you to schedule a FREE consultation session to review your current fulfillment program and develop ideas on how to increase Giftability and decrease lost-in-mail rate. 

To truly garner the most from this study, we encourage you to conduct a self-audit with the help of Travel Tags’ Design Team. Contact your Travel Tag Sales Representative to discuss opportunities on delivering the best every single time.

For a high-level infographic, CLICK HERE.

For a comprehensive look at the research method and results, REQUEST THE WHITE PAPER.

 

 

Key Highlights:

  • Card design
  • Holiday promotions
  • Digital and mobile gift cards
  • Carriers and giftability
  • Shipping costs and timing
  • Ordering process
  • YOY comparisons
  • Fulfillment packaging

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
KATY LASEE | MARKETING DEPT.
651 554 8533
KRLasee@traveltags.com

TAGS:   card fulfillment, card manufacturing, card services, holidays, trends, Webinar

Jul
01
2015

The Gift Card Network Presents: Debunking the Myths - Using Paper or Wood Gift Cards instead of PVC

Each year, as an industry, we manufacture over 35 billion gift cards globally. Most of these cards are made with a common plastic; polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is a plastic that contains pollutants which are harmful to the environment and are slow to decompose. And, as there is no true recycle stream for these cards, they typically end up in landfills or get incinerated. As an alternative, there are many durable paper and wood substrates available in the marketplace which use less energy to manufacture, come from sustainable resources and are recyclable, compostable, and bio-degrade in a fraction of the amount of time when compared to plastic.

Over the past few years, paper and wood substrate manufacturers have spent large amounts of time and resources developing products specifically engineered for the gift card industry. The Gift Card Network Forest Materials Committee, made up of a diverse group of industry experts who are passionate about sustainability, has identified the top five reasons merchants say prevent them from making the switch from plastic to paper or wood and has set out to debunk these myths through an awareness campaign. This head on approach is meant to educate the gift card industry in an effort to move away from PVC to a greener solution.

 

Did you know that Travel Tags offers several unique and earth-friendly substrates? Click here to learn more!

 

5 Myths of Forest Materials Gift Cards

Myth #1: Paper and Wood are not durable enough for gift cards.
On the contrary, there are billions of paper cards in the market today, with no known consumer complaints or product failure.

Myth #2: Paper and Wood are more expensive to procure/print.
When comparing forest materials to traditional PVC, the price per sheet is comparable. Price can fluctuate based on many factors: Printer and processor’s pricing structure. Experience and production methods of the printer. Card run size.

Myth #3: No Merchants are using these products for gift cards.
That is not the case at all. In 2014, the Gift Card Network recorded over 20 major brands had a paper card in the market.

Myth #4: My Company doesn’t care about the environment.
In 2014, 53% of the S&P 500 and 57% of the Fortune 500 Companies reported on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts. For the first time, the non-reporters are in the minority.

Myth #5: Consumers don’t care what substrate their cards are printed on.
Not true. Just look around your grocery store, office space and gym. Reusable shopping bags and water bottles are now becoming the norm. The US market share for recycled content, reusable and degradable packaging is $34 billion.

To view the campaign and The Gift Card Network's full responses to these myths, click here.

The Gift Card Network would like to thank the members of the Forest Materials Committee for their contributions, passion for educating the industry, and deep product insight. The Gift Card Network would also like to thank it’s media partner, Powerhouse Brands, for developing the copy, design, and finished product.

The Gift Card Network Forest Materials Committee is made up of the following Industry Professionals:
Chairs:
John Fidalgo - ArjoWiggins
Jim Moriarty - PBM Graphics, an RR Donnelley Company
Jim O’Rourke - Monadnock Paper Mills

Contributors:
Elizabeth Corbett - Neenah Paper
Peo Akesson - Sustainable Cards
Lisa Berghaus - Monadnock Paper Mills
Matt Davies - Powerhouse Brands
Martha Weaver - The Gift Card Network

About the Gift Card Network
The Gift Card Network is the first gift card-specific marketing and collaboration platform. The network focuses on the identification of vital issues in the gift card industry and empowering its members to address these issues using connection, collaboration, and creativity. Members include companies that focus on the gift card industry. Find Everything Gift Card at thegiftcardnetwork.com.

Source: PRWEB.com; The Gift Card Network

MEDIA CONTACT:
KATY LASEE | MARKETING DEPT.
651 554 8533
KRLasee@traveltags.com

TAGS:   card fulfillment, card manufacturing, card services, Education, FSC Certification, Gift Card Network, Green Initiatives, trends