Feedbacks from MTN’s ‘Prestige’ Customers

Two months after MTN rolled out the drum to celebrate its loyal customers through what it tagged MTN Prestige: Circle of Distinction, some beneficiaries of the scheme were said to have started reaping the benefits of the exclusive club. The scheme, which was designed to reward customers’ loyalty, enlisted them into an elite group of subscribers. According to the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge, the reward programme was introduced to appreciate customers for their support for the brand by enlisting them into an elite group of subscribers. “It is a reward programme designed to welcome deserving customers into a circle of distinction, in appreciation of those that have stayed loyal to the brand since it started operation 16 years ago”, he said. This new reward programme, he said, takes customer reward to a new level of appreciation, by introducing some measures of luxury and style to conventional practice. That explains why this class of customer reward is classified MTN Prestige, he added. This is celebration of many customers, who have stayed with the brand for more than 10 years. “MTN prestige is our loyalty programme that is designed to recognise and reward group of customers, who have shown great loyalty to the MTN network over time”, the multinational company said. The reward is based on cumulative spend on MTN network over time. The reward scheme has three categories, which include Gold, Silver and Bronze. Under Gold, customers consistently enjoy MTN products and services to quality for the third tier level where a range of benefits will make the customer being proud of the distinct circle. The silver category steps up the customers on MTN voice and data, qualifying the customer in to second tier level of benefits while the customers under Bronze category must have stayed with the brand for a minimum of 10 years. Irrespective of the first tier of membership. Some of the benefits include making available exotic cars for customer’s driving pleasure. “As MTN prestige customer, we also take the liberty of negotiating specific of negotiating specific concessions, just in case the customer is inclined to make a purchase” Also membership of the MTN Prestige scheme entitles customers to relax at airport waiting lounge. “MTN Prestige also redefines customer service. We provide you with a dedicated relationship manager, who is experienced in ensuring utmost customer satisfaction” Speaking at the unveiling of the scheme in Lagos, which witnessed the presence of other top business stakeholders, the Chairman of the company, Pascal Dozie, said the plan was designed because MTN appreciates its customers. “We at MTN appreciate our customers’ loyalty and that is why we are giving them more value”. He said that customers are central to MTN success story. Chief Executive Office MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman, also explained that the scheme was a loyalty programme to appreciate customers, who have shown loyalty to MTN brand. Meanwhile, Iweanoge had earlier explained that the programme was designed to welcome some deserving customers into Circle Distinction. “What it means is that we are recongnising and rewarding customers who are loyal to MTN. In the past we have done things in bits to recongnise them but we thought that it is important to have a platform where once a customer qualifies, the customer qualifies, the customer would begin to get those benefits. Those who have been with MTN for 10 years deserve to be rewarded to that loyalty. Also, if a customer’s spends a certain amount on our network on the monthly basis, the customer would also be recognised. The benefits involved airtime, free handset, data and others.