SSP scoops three top prizes in airport social media awards

Understanding the customer has always been key to success when it comes to building a brand. SSP’s Caffè Ritazza team proved that it knows a thing or two about how to go about this in the online age when it scooped three of the top prizes in ‘The Moodies’ – the world’s first airport-specific digital, mobile and social media awards.

The trophies it took home were for the food and beverage operator with the best Facebook page, best Twitter feed, and for the best use of social media overall. The company was also highly commended in the best marketing campaign category. The competition, which was run by leading travel retail trade publication The Moodie Report, attracted over 160 entries.

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Travellers on the Paris Metro have an innovative new way to buy their morning coffee at Bonne Journée – and earn loyalty rewards while they’re doing it.

The new scheme allows them to choose between three different ways to earn and spend points. They can use their smart phone, a stand-alone Bonne Journée card, or have the programme linked to their Navigo transport pass, which means they don’t have to carry a separate card.

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One of the secrets of social media success is to give the on-line audience a reason to talk about a brand.

And Caffè Ritazza’s ‘name our latte’ competition certainly prompted plenty of chat among its followers on Facebook, Twitter and the other major social media platforms.

Caffè Ritazza’s international brands marketing manager, Edina Dani, explains. ‘The competition introduced Facebook fans and other followers to our great new Autumn drink – an espresso based latte coffee infused with orange. We invited customers to watch a video in which one of our top baristas introduced it, and come up with a name that sounded as good as the drink tastes.

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SSP launches major new social media initiative

Caffè Ritazza has launched a pioneering multi-channel social media programme which is now using Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and other media to allow customers to share their passion for coffee.

Games, including a picture slider, are prompting customers to come back time and time again. There are also competitions to keep excitement levels high. These include a contest in which customers are invited to send in pictures of their favourite take-away coffee in the most exotic or quirky destination for the chance to win one of 30 state of the art cameras.

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Food Travel Update asks SSP’s Andy Bull about the business-boosting benefits of up-selling

The much-mocked ‘would you like fries with that?’ delivered with an indifferent tone and surly stare is a question to depress even the most cheerful of passengers. Yet SSP’s research has found that ‘up-selling’, when done properly, isn’t an irritation – it’s positively welcomed as good service.

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There’s something of a ‘technology’ theme to this edition of the FTU – and undoubtedly advances in the way our customers communicate and use technology in their everyday lives is something we must consider if we are to provide them with the best possible experience. More …

In a fast-moving market, it’s vital to stay one step ahead of consumer demand, says SSP’s Stuart Coombes

Coffee is big business. At SSP, coffee is now our best-selling item. Whether it’s an espresso at the elegant Train Bleu restaurant at Gare de Lyon or a take-away from Upper Crust consumed ‘on the go’ at a busy station, coffee is something that we as leaders in food travel retail must get right. More …

Caffè Ritazza’s Art of Great Coffee initiative sets new standards

Authentic artisan coffees are what Caffè Ritazza is all about.  Caffè Ritazza’s Art of Great Coffee is a major initiative to underscore the brand’s commitment to the very best in coffee as well as a celebration of the skill of the barista.  Edina Dani, SSP’s International Brand Manager explains:  ‘The Art of Great Coffee is so much more than a marketing campaign.  It’s a new drive combining promotional ideas, new product introductions and extensive training to support our ambitions as the first choice for travellers looking for well made coffee in an environment that lets them take a break from the stresses of travel.’ More …

Rail Gourmet wins prestigious award – and royal approval

Rail Gourmet’s Norwegian operation Rail Gourmet Togservice has been named ‘Innovative Caterer of the Year’ by the International Rail Catering Group for its new onboard concept ‘taste of Norway’. More …

The promotion everyone’s talking about kicks off at Shanghai

SSP’s ground-breaking consumer value programme TravelWise was launched at Pudong International Airport in March. The campaign, which is now running in more than 50 airports and 50 rail stations in over 20 countries, has boosted sales at SSP businesses across the globe since it was launched last Summer. More …