Initially unveiled in Leicester and Nottingham, with plans to roll out across the network of 74 websites, Local World Plus gives its newspaper subscribers exclusive access to the very best offers, free products, exclusive events and amazing competitions.
In the first five days 920 people registered on the two sites and there have been 8,238 user interactions, says Local World.
Offers worth up to £455 have been sourced including free bus travel, free coffee and muffin from Muffin Break, Tesco vouchers, free restaurant meals, free smoothies from Froyum, ice creams from Whipee Gelato, hotel stays, an Apple Watch, £10 holidays and discounts to more than 30 local attractions.
After research into technically-advanced digital portals designed for both mobile and online, Local World invited digital agency, Clock, to build the platform.
Each Plus site also enables data capture from general offers to replace traditional sales promotions. This provides Local World with a greater understanding of the demands of their subscribers, allowing Local World to tailor the offers dependent on demand and need.
Underpinning the loyalty sites are a range flexible subscription packages, available online for the public to sign up to and gain membership to Plus.
David Allen, Local World Promotions Director said: "Demand for local content is stronger than ever, but our subscription systems were supply based, reliant on outbound canvassing, and our promotions strategy only provided for short term spikes in single copy sale. This platform provides real incentive for readers to subscribe by offering them the products they want through better understanding of their habits. We can reward our most valuable consumers, give them the flexibility to choose how to pay and monetise our vast consumer footprint."
Paul Serby, CTO at Clock commented: "Plus will encourage loyalty for Local World's paid-for subscriber, whilst still encouraging data sharing for free users. It is a brave move away from its strong heritage of added-value sales promotions where value is accessible to all readers irrespective of commitment or loyalty. This loyalty programme will reduce one-off sale hits to infrequent customers and give Local World true consumer value through data capture and subscription commitment."
