A “Win-Win” for Games and The People Who Play Them
For the rewarded gaming platform Influence Mobile, games are just the beginning.
Kate spends several hundred dollars a month playing games on her phone. So, why not let Kate earn points for playing, the same way other companies, such as credit card issuers and airlines, incentivize their loyal customers? That’s the logic behind Influence Mobile, a rewarded gaming platform that entices and nurtures mobile gamers. “Since the majority of people play games and also participate in some kind of rewards program, we take two things that are very popular and combine them in a unique way,” explains Daniel Todd, Influence Mobile’s founder and CEO.
Customers use the Rewarded Play app, available in the Google Play Store in the U.S. and Canada. There, they can access their favorite games and discover new ones. The more money a customer spends, the more points they earn for prizes like Amazon and Walmart gift cards.
While there are other rewarded gaming platforms, Influence Mobile differs by primarily rewarding in-app purchases instead of time spent playing. Todd says the average user earns 10 to 20 percent back in rewards.
A GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY
More than 100 of the world’s largest game and app developers pay Influence Mobile to find and keep people using their app. They quickly recoup their investment as players purchase tokens, extra lives, and the like. Globally, gamers spend more than $100 billion in app stores—that is nearly double what is spent on live sports, concerts, and movies combined, Todd explains.
The apps rewards concept isn’t limited to gaming. Rewarded Play already features the streaming service Paramount+ and is exploring other offerings. To identify opportunities, Influence Mobile conducts frequent surveys and customer interviews. To create a more engaging and scalable experience, developers have been rebuilding the app from the ground up. Todd says a strong app architecture will enable the company to expand into Europe and Australia.
A COHESIVE UNIT
Since its founding, the Influence Mobile team has navigated significant challenges and changes. The company was initially a desktop-focused celebrity rewards program. It also acquired its largest marketing partner last year. “We stayed very transparent about what we planned to do and tried to make them a part of it. We aligned employees with our long-term vision,” Todd says.
Additionally, the company emphasizes career growth and works with every team member to understand personal goals. Since 2018, no employee has voluntarily left Influence Mobile. Todd believes he has the people, technology, and vision in place to deliver more value for app developers and support the next phase of astronomical growth.