Nectar Card Owner Leads $33m Investment in Cardlytics

In the US, Nectar loyalty card owner Groupe Aeroplan has led a $33m investment in Cardlytics - a firm which offers technology to track consumers' actual purchases in order to reward them according to their individual purchasing behaviour.

Cardlytics' ad platform enables banks to deliver relevant rewards to their customers based on individual purchasing history. It can also be used to find and target consumers who are already spending with competitors; send existing customers new offers; target consumers based on zip code, store name or purchase frequency; and track both online and in-store purchases to measure results and optimize offers.

The firm raised $18m in new equity last August to support its expansion plans, and says this latest funding will enable it to 'capitalize on its US dominance', while accelerating growth internationally.

Through the investment, Cardlytics has signed a global strategic alliance with Groupe Aeroplan, which owns Aeroplan, Canada's loyalty program; Carlson Marketing, an international loyalty marketing services provider; and UK loyalty program Nectar.

Additionally, Groupe Aeroplan operates international insight and data analytics business LMG Insight & Communication; holds majority equity positions in Air Miles Middle East and Nectar Italia; and a minority position in Club Premier, Mexico's loyalty program.

Group Aeroplan President and CEO Rupert Duchesne comments: 'Banks and their customers are benefitting from Cardlytics' great rewards programs but the biggest impact is on the merchants, who are able to leverage market insights, targeting and measurement that is ground-breaking. We are very excited to take this global.'

Lynne Laube, President and COO of Cardlytics, describes Groupe Aeroplan as an 'ideal partner' to help her firm find business opportunities abroad.

Web sites: www.groupeaeroplan.com and www.cardlytics.com .