Citibank Sweeps Aims to Draw New Customers
Citibank is trying to get more customers with a “Thanks-A-Million” sweepstakes, offering members in its ThankYou Network rewards program a chance to win 1 million rewards points.
New customers signing up for the ThankYou Network program through Nov. 30 will automatically be entered for a shot at the million-point reward. Citibank will award two grand prizes of 1 million points apiece, four second prizes of 500,000 points each and 10 third prizes of 100,000 point each.
New checking customers who sign up for the loyalty program will receive 10,000 bonus points when they perform qualifying activities, such as using their debit cards.
“We’re really focused on attracting new customers to Citibank, particularly new checking customers,” said Peter Mullen, Citibank’s senior vice president of marketing services. “Specifically, we’re encouraging our customers’ debit card usage.”
Both existing customers and non-customers can enter the Citibank sweepstakes online or at a Citibank location.
Asked whether Citibank is making an effort to brighten its image in the midst of the current credit crisis, Mullen said, “We would run this type of promotion regardless of economic environment. Consumers have a relationship with the bank, they need a checking account and the ThankYou Network is how we differentiate ourselves.”
The ThankYou Network awards points to Citibank customers for us of their checking accounts, bank cards and credit cards. They can redeem those points for travel reservations, a broad range of brand-name merchandise, gift cards or charitable donations online.
Citibank is building awareness for the sweepstakes with signage in branches and on automatic teller machines, print and radio ads, online ads on its own Web sites and other sites, and through street team ambassadors.
