Nexy and Skoose take on Nexus

By Cheranka Mendis

With the steady growth in both customer and merchandiser segments, Nexus on Wednesday launched a special promotional programme introducing two Muppets as brand representatives for the loyalty card.

Named as Nexy and Skoose, the Muppets will act as ambassadors in attracting more customers, creating awareness and giving new edge to the brand’s future plans. The Muppets are considered as ‘living, breathing employees’ of Nexus Networks and holds the job titles of Customer Devotion Manager and Super Duper Offers Manager respectively.

Speaking to the Daily FT Executive Vice President Sector Head for retail Roshanie Jayasundara stated that in celebrating ten years of pioneering the loyalty card system in Sri Lanka, the company has decided to “do things a bit differently and add more excitement which would help distinguish the brand amidst clutter.” She stated that Nexus will use Nexy and Skoose to endorse merchant products and services and that the Muppets will be the ‘face of Nexus’ in all its external and internal communications. “All initiatives and campaigns launched by Nexus will be livened by the presence of the two characters.”

Jayasundara stated that the loyalty card has marked a significant growth since 2010 taking up the customer base from 60,000 to 80,000 at which it stands today. The majority of the growth took place within the past three years, she said. “We have had a 10-15% Year on Year (YoY) on membership throughout. However, in 2010 we recorded a 25% growth which was a noteworthy occasion to the company.”

“Our main purpose is to reward customers as they live their lives in all aspects be it food, schooling, entertainment, etc.,” Jayasundara said. Expressing that the company has many plans and events in the drawing board and the two Muppets will be used to convey the messages in an innovative way.

“Mundane communication methods such as leaflets, letters, posters and even the new social media wave – Facebook, etc., tend to get boring with time. We wanted to add a fun element to this and get attention. Irrespective of age or gender, Muppets are loved by all. We feel that the new faces of Nexus will add great value to our future plans.”

Emphasising on the value addition to the cardholder base, Jayasundara announced that Keells Super is now running a promotion with Nexus offering 20% discount on 100 everyday products to all Nexus Blue cardholders. The offers are valid toll end October.

With over 70 merchants now part of the Nexus network, Jayasundara stated the company believe that with the new additions, the number will grow rapidly within the year. “Seven to eight years back we only had 25 merchants. This has grown to 70 today. We are confident that the numbers will keep rising and more merchants will tie up with our network within the next few years.”