March 10, 2003

ERNEX IMPLEMENTS SPECTRA
GROUP GIFT CARD PROGRAM WITH PERSONALIZED
REAL-TIME MARKETING OFFERS

VANCOUVER, March 10, 2003 -- Ernex , a provider of real-time marketing solutions, announced that Western Canada-based restaurant and foodservice provider Spectra Group has successfully implemented its electronic gift card program entitled "S-Card" using Ernex's Gift technology. By enhancing the S-Card program with Ernex's real-time Promotional Tool Kit, Spectra has evolved the now ubiquitous gift card program with personalized marketing initiatives aimed at enhancing the customer experience and driving incremental sales. The S-Card program will replace traditional, paper-based gift certificates that were previously issued at the twenty-five Spectra Group restaurant locations. By selecting Ernex's Gift card solution, Spectra Group can now offer their customers additional incentives, special offers and promotions at the point-of-sale, simply by using their S-Card for payment.

An example of one such promotion is a "kick-back" offer for every new S-card that is activated or reloaded. Depending on the value that is activated or reloaded, Spectra is offering customers free sandwiches or specialty coffees on a return visit. Ernex's Custom Messaging promotion recognizes all activation and reload transactions during the campaign period and prints the unique reward message directly on the customer's receipt - in real-time, at the point-of-sale. Other Ernex promotions that can be used in conjunction with a standard gift card program include Custom Coupons that can be tracked and validated upon redemption, and Swipe 'N Win sweepstakes to add customer excitement to the program.

The S-Card is also helping Spectra to build a customer database. S-Card customers can choose to register their contact information when purchasing their card, which not only ensures that their gift card will be replaced if lost or stolen, but also allows Spectra Group to perform more sophisticated real-time marketing programs, provided the customer has "opted-in" and agreed to be notified of special promotional offers and events.

"Ernex's Gift solution has been a great sales generator for Spectra Group and consumer acceptance has been terrific," said Gordon Munroe, Strategic Consultant, Spectra Group. "We are now planning specific tactical real-time promotions using Ernex's technology to cross-market the three Spectra Group restaurant concepts and we anticipate even higher customer frequency and spending on the S-Card."

"What sets Ernex Gift Card apart from other gift card solutions is our real-time technology that encourages customer frequency and spending through promotional campaigns," said James Christensen, president and CEO of Ernex "We are excited to see Spectra Group already leveraging our real-time functionality to engage customers with promotional campaigns that encourage additional purchases or reloads using their gift card at the point-of-sale."

ABOUT SPECTRA GROUP

Spectra Group is a popular Western Canada-based restaurant and foodservice provider whose restaurants include: Bread Garden (Bakery & Cafe) with eighteen locations, The Boathouse Restaurant with five locations, and Romano's Macaroni Grill with two locations.

ABOUT ERNEX

Ernex is a provider of innovative real-time marketing solutions for merchants, bank card issuers and large membership organizations. Ernex delivers real-time electronic marketing solutions to a variety of industries, including loyalty database hosting solutions, coalition marketing capabilities, real-time points/loyalty programs, Swipe 'N Win sweepstakes programs, custom coupons/messaging capabilities and stored-value gift card programs. For more information, contact Ernex at 877-GO-Ernex or visit www.ernex.com.

###

INTERVIEW CONTACTS:

• Ernex executives are available for interviews on this announcement and/or to provide comment on other electronic marketing solutions.
• Analyst references are available on request.
• Partners and Customers are available to speak with the media.

Please Contact:
Marketing & Public Relations Manager
Ernex
604-415-1500
pr@ernex.com

Printable Version

Request More Information