Bitcoin, iBeacons, Digital Gift Cards...Experts Talk Change!

On Payments Podcast Interview Series – Recap and Round-Up

By Marc Dresner, Senior Editor, IIR

I don’t need to tell you that the world of payments is changing dramatically.

But with APEX—the All Payments Expo—kicking off next week in Las Vegas, it seems prudent to revisit what’s been kicking around in the heads of industry experts lately.

Over the past couple of months, On Payments—a special podcast interview series produced by APEX—has featured a variety of thought leaders at the forefront of the payments and stored value industries and retail.

To prime the pump for those stimulating conversations you’re sure to have at APEX next week, here’s a quick round up of the guests we've featured and the topics they covered.

I urge you to introduce yourselves to these fascinating folks in person and continue the conversation next week.

Safe travels and enjoy the show!

David Berger

EPISODE ONE

Bitcoin may be closer to a mainstream tipping point than you realize. David Berger, CEO of the Digital Currency Council, shares the latest on the growth of virtual tender and talks about his organization’s mission to equip lawyers, accountants and financial professionals for the emerging digital currency economy.

Check out the interview here

Chris Adamo

EPISODE TWO

Digital gift cards will overtake plastic in the next 1-2 years, says Chris Adamo, Manager of Partnerships & Gift Cards at 1-800-FLOWERS. In this episode, Adamo talks about the digital florist’s experience with e-cards thus far and why the impending consumer migration from plastic to digital is good news for retailers.

Check out the interview here

Ryan Craver

EPISODE THREE

Retailers are experimenting with iBeacons as both a marketing and a payments tool. Ryan Craver, former SVP of Corporate Strategy for Lord & Taylor/Hudson’s Bay, discusses how the retailer tested the technology and what he sees ahead.

Check out the interview here

Rik Willard

EPISODE FOUR

Cryptocurrencies are rapidly approaching an inflection point in emerging markets with dramatic implications for the rest of the world. Rik Willard, CEO of MintCombine, discusses how development of cryptocurrencies in emerging markets will disrupt the status quo and rewrite the rules, and what the future may look like.

Check out the interview here

Ryan Lazanis

EPISODE FIVE

Businesses are struggling with Bitcoin tax questions. Ryan Lazanis, CPA, CA and principal of Xen Accounting discusses the potential tax implications around using cryptocurrencies and offers tips for individuals and companies interested in expanding into digital currency payments.

Check out the interview here

Editor’s note: The folks interviewed in On Payments are but a few of the industry experts and thought leaders who will be a featured at APEX 2015—The All Payments Expo—taking place February 23-25 in Las Vegas.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN THEM!

Click here for an agenda or to here register for APEX. 

Or visit www.allpaymentsexpo.com.

SAVE $100 off registration TODAY with promo code: XU2848BLOG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / INTERVIEWER 
Marc Dresner is IIR USA’s sr. editor and special communication project lead. He is the former executive editor of Research Business Report, a confidential newsletter for the market and consumer research industry. He may be reached at mdresner@iirusa.com. Follow him @mdrezz.

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Digital Gift Cards to Overtake Plastic 1-2 Years

1-800-Flowers E-Card Expert Says Digital Wallets Herald End to Another Holiday Tradition

By Marc Dresner, Senior Editor, IIR

Like almost every other person I know who is not the parent of a young child, the 2014 holidays concluded with a stack of gift cards in place of a mountain of crumpled wrapping paper.

I’m not complaining, but if you’re the sentimental type like me, you probably get a little wistful looking at a Christmas tree that doesn’t have any presents under it.

My father-in-law still insists on hiding gift cards inside large, ornately wrapped boxes—sometimes it’s a series of boxes like those Russian nesting dolls—but the gag has gone a little stale and it annoys his wife to no end.

Friends of mine keep a pile of phony presents under their tree to achieve that nostalgic effect, which I find a little creepy and depressing.

At my home, we’ve taken to interspersing the cards in colored envelopes among the ornaments. We take turns hunting-and-plucking them from the tree on Christmas Day. 

It's less dramatic than a big box, but at least you get to scavenge for something with your name on it.

Now it looks like I may have to kiss that tradition good-bye, too.

Yes, friends, 2015 may be the beginning of the end for plastic gift cards.

Chris Adamo

According to Chris Adamo, Manager of Partnerships & Gift Cards, B2B, at 1-800-FLOWERS, e-cards will overtake plastic as the gift of choice within the next year, maybe two years.

“We’ve seen digital gift card sales triple in the past year.”

“For our brand as a whole we’ve seen digital gift card sales triple in the past year,” said Adamo, who has been developing e-cards in B2B for the online florist for several years.

Adamo says he expects digital wallet adoption to catalyze the migration to e-cards in the consumer space.

That’s good news for retailers, according to Adamo, who reports that digital gift cards have increased redemptions and purchases at 1-800-FLOWERS.

Digital cards are also perfectly suited to double as loyalty cards, says Adamo, which means a new level of access to customer information.

In this podcast for On Payments—the All Payments Expo (APEX) interview series—Adamo shares his experience and explains why it’s time for retailers to ramp up their e-card initiatives.

Access the podcast and a transcript here!

Editor’s note: Chris Adamo will be a featured speaker at APEX 2015—The All Payments Expo—taking place February 23-25 in Las Vegas.

For information, a brochure or to register for APEX, please visit www.allpaymentsexpo.com.

Ps. SAVE $100 of registration with promo code: XU2848BLOG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/INTERVIEWER
Marc Dresner is IIR USA’s sr. editor and special communication project lead. He is the former executive editor of Research Business Report, a confidential newsletter for the market and consumer research industry. He may be reached at mdresner@iirusa.com. Follow him @mdrezz.

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