USA Network Launches Online Loyalty Program Dubbed CHARACTER REWARDS
If you talk to any social media guru, they will tell you that social media programs can't live on their own. They need offline counterparts to drive awareness and engagement.
When it comes to television, it's just the opposite. To get fans engaged in online TV programming, stations are taking their programs and engagement activities online to create a better all-around experience for the viewer.
Case in point is the news today from USA Network which launched CHARACTER REWARDS, a program that will target the network's five million online fans and followers who will have the opportunity to earn points for simply watching videos, chatting, playing games and re-posting content to Twitter and Facebook.
CHARACTER REWARDS will be redeemable for tangible and virtual goods, like show-branded merchandise and goods such as gift cards for major retailers.
The first initiative will launch in conjunction with USA’s longest running series, PSYCH. Club PSYCH, as the program is named, goes live this week with the premiere of the show’s fifth season. The announcement was made today by Alexandra Shapiro, senior vice president of brand strategy and digital, USA Network.
“USA is gratified by our fans’ engagement,” said Shapiro. “We developed CHARACTER REWARDS as a way to give back to our loyal fans for their efforts in being brand ambassadors, while preserving the viral integrity of our online community.”
Fans will be required to register for the loyalty program through the USA Network site or by using their Facebook Connect access. By playing games, re-posting content to other online channels and watching videos, fans will earn points exchangeable for merchandise, including t-shirts, mugs, bobble heads and more.
Last week, USA posted a sneak peek for Club PSYCH and said via a press release that they have received over 1,500 thumbs up/“Like’s” from show fans.
Fans will be able to track progress and see how they compare with other Club PSYCH members through a leader-board housed on the main hub of psych.usanetwork.com. Fans will also be able to see who has accumulated the most points, build customized avatars and gain other prizes, all for sharing their passion for the hit series with others.
What do you think of the CHARACTER REWARDS program?
Photo: Bobble head toy from the USA Network show Psych
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