Coffeehouse chain Starbucks introduced the beta launch of Starbucks Odyssey, a blockchain-powered loyalty program that can open entry to new advantages and immersive espresso experiences for patrons.
An extension of the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program, the beta expertise launched to a small group of waitlist members, together with prospects and Starbucks workers. The chosen members will have the ability to immerse themselves in interactive actions referred to as ‘Journeys’ through the Starbucks rewards web site. The preliminary actions will vary from taking a digital tour of Starbucks espresso farm in Costa Rica, to trivia about Starbucks heritage.
As soon as a Journey is full, members earn Polygon-based NFTs referred to as ‘Journey Stamps’, in addition to Odyssey loyalty factors to realize entry to advantages and immersive experiences. As well as, the beta members will collaborate with Starbucks to form the Odyssey expertise’s future.
“Starbucks Rewards members are a few of our most loyal and engaged prospects, and Starbucks Odyssey is our subsequent large innovation in loyalty to acknowledge, shock and delight them,” mentioned Brady Brewer, Starbucks EVP and chief advertising and marketing officer. “We’re leveraging Web3 expertise to reward and join with our members in new methods, reminiscent of providing collectible, ownable digital stamps, a brand new digital group, and opening entry to new advantages and immersive espresso experiences – each bodily and digitally.”
This system goals to make NFTs accessible to a wider buyer base, as Odyssey members should purchase Stamps immediately with a bank card by Starbucks Odyssey market, with no requirement for a crypto pockets or cryptocurrency. Early subsequent yr, members will have the ability to buy distinctive, one-of-a-kind ‘Restricted-Version Stamps’ (NFTs) by the market.
Nifty Gateway is the NFT accomplice and the expertise was developed in affiliation with Forum3, a startup that introduced a $10 million funding spherical at this time. Forum3 co-CEO Adam Brotman was beforehand the Chief Digital Workplace of Starbucks.
Out there solely within the US presently, month-to-month invites will proceed to be supplied to a wider group of members on the waitlist beginning in January.
There’s a rising variety of manufacturers in varied sectors launching blockchain-enabled loyalty packages and NFT utilities. Nike-owned RTKFT lately launched a ‘phygital’ sneaker assortment, following on from its digital-only assortment of customizable NFT sneakers. Warner Music plans to promote songs as NFTs with LGND. Vogue designers are additionally dropping NFT collections for charity. With the rise in web3 and NFT-based choices from manufacturers, the competitors for “best-in-class” will solely improve, and so will buyer expectations.
