| “It’s always great when a company embarks on a program and it works immediately! Then it works again… and… again. I thank you, Don Lintzen and the Ciara Group, for your attention to our needs.” |
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Maurice Barger, Jr., EVP & Chief Marketing Officer(retired)
North American Company for Life & Health Insurance, Chicago, IL
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Thank you for your help. Your vacations gave us the opportunity to have a very successful loan promotion. Our total production exceeded our expectations. This was our second year with Ciara, and the service has been outstanding. All of our members that took advantage of the package was very satisfied with the accommodations. Any company looking for a means to expand their business should contact you. I have recommended to other Credit Unions, that they take advantage of these packages.
We are looking forward to our next promotion, and look forward to doing business with you.
On behalf of the agents and staff of Alliance Mutual Insurance Company, I want to say “thank you” for the outstanding service and product support you have provided us over the last several years. We truly appreciate you as a valued business partner. We know there are other suppliers of vacations in the marketplace but quite frankly, we believer we have found the best. Your personal service and the professionalism exhibited by the entire staff makes our search end with you! The value for our money coupled with the “no-hassle” service you provide, makes Ciara Group our choice. Thanks again for all you do!
Thank you for providing the perfect giveaway for our 'new and used auto loan promotion.' It was a difficult time to compete with the auto dealers' offers of 0.9% financing, rebates and other gimmicks, but the vacation certificates managed to help us retain a good share of our borrowers. We surpassed our goals for used auto loans, and though we fell a bit short of attaining our new vehicle loan projected figures, we had the best total loan month for the year!
The following is an endorsement from BESTBUY head office regarding Ciara Group Inc. Unlike the company we did a similar program with (Crown Marketing), we have found the following differences:
Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to use the Ciara Group for our vacation package needs. We use these packages for our customers in various ways. Raffles, incentives, rewards, contests, and awards are just some of the ways that these generate increased sales of Coca-Cola products. Your customer service has been most helpful in making the trips very enjoyable for our winners. We look forward to continuing the relationship with your company to satisfy our needs in helping our customers have an experience they can be proud of and tell all their friends about.
The results were phenomenal! It was a win-win program for everyone but the competition. The follow through services of Ciara Group are in a class of their own and provided us with total customer satisfaction.
Year 2000 marks the 13th year Bryan Chevrolet has utilized your Vacation Incentive Program. The Sale Department personnel have enjoyed many of your Dream Vacations and often boast of their having been "Top Producer" for a particular sales promotion and as a result, received one of the travel awards. Their comments alone add much to the overall fun and excitement of each new promotion featuring the Vacation Incentive Program. As for our customers, we have found they get excited over the fantastic resort locations we provide and quite often come back solely for the purpose of telling us about their personal experiences and the great times they have had. In today's busy world, it is easy to take things for granted. For that reason, I feel compelled to commend and thank you for your commitment to an excellent product and unsurpassed service. I welcome the opportunity to recommend Ciara Group's Vacation Incentive Program for it truly does generate the excitement needed in Sales Promotions and it absolutely delivers results. We benefit greatly, as do our customers who share "treasured memories" upon returning home from a great trip in their Bryan Chevrolet-Mitsubishi automobiles.
We have used the packages some 8 to 10 times over the past 7 years. Each promotion has brought us an increase in our floor traffic, our total sales, and a better gross on each deal. We can offer these packages with a straight face, because we know that customers are going to receive exactly what the certificates state.
On behalf of our sales and marketing department, I want to thank you, and the entire staff at Ciara Group for making our vacation promotion a big success. Through our dealers, we offered one vacation per family with each unit sold over a ninety day period. The final results far exceeded our original projections and needless to say our dealers and their sales people were very happy. Our original order of 300 trips was not enough as we had to order an additional 110 vacations to meet the final sales total.
Using Ciara Group’s vacation certificates for loans of $10,000 or more, we generated $4,971,237 from 301 loans. These figures gave us an average loan of $16,515 which is quite high. The credit union usually makes 50-60 auto loans a month which means we exceeded our monthly production by over 200%. City Employees Credit Union was very pleased with the product and service which your company provided. We could not have been more pleased with the results of the promotion and look forward to working with you again.
The results of our most recent promotion using your vacation packages were on target. Since this was the second year we incorporated them into our marketing plan, we added a new twist to the promotion. The packages were offered to members who make a particular loan of $10,000+ or made a two-year investment in a certificate of deposit of $30,000+. Our promotion ran May and June. The addition of the investment side of the promotion was just a last minute test to see if we could raise some new deposits. By testing the required amount and terms as we did, we knew we could still make a healthy return on our investment. There were 226 loans made for a total of $3,997,193.00. We also opened a surprising 26 certificates of deposit for a total of $1,491,428.
This year will be the tenth consecutive year that we have exclusively partnered with The Ciara Group. As you know, we receive several proposals from your competition each year, and they usually offer “reduced” prices in an attempt to secure our business. Over the years we have learned that price alone is not the primary consideration regarding vacation packages…quality of product and service is paramount. We utilize your product as incentives for our customers, and in doing so, place our customer relations in your hands.
I have used The Ciara Group, Inc. for vacation packages since their company started doing business. I have found this Company and Don Lintzen, CEO to be very professional and deeply concerned about my needs for my customers. I would recommend that you give Don a call and try his Ciara Group out. You will find out for yourself as I have, that the Ciara Group offers the best incentive package on the market.
As you know, we are a sales driven company with goals in mind. To help us obtain these goals, we develop standards which must be met in order to achieve quotas. Nothing helps us do this better than to offer one or more of your packages. Our winning salesmen come back from these destinations relaxed, fresh and rejuvenated, ready to meet challenges for the next period. We have also been inclined to use your packages as dealer loaders to obtain incremental displays, barrels, and marketing agreements that help drive volume. Another means by which we use them is to offer a package to a store chain to use as manager incentive as a reward for selling the most Coca-Cola Classic for a determined period. Everyone I have talked to has been very satisfied with the accommodations, as well as the amenities offered.
As you know, the Daytona Pennysaver is a shopper with circulation in excess of 75,000 in the greater Daytona Beach area. Five years ago we began utilizing vacation packages as prizes in various promotions within our product. The results from doing so have been tremendous! Readership response has been extremely positive, as has the feed back from the users of the vacation packages. We have found that the vacation packages generate such strong interest, that we have plans to continue offering them as promotional prizes on a long- term basis. Additionally, I would like to thank you for the exceptional customer service provided through out the years. Thank you again and I look forward to our continued association.
As a long time client, I can speak expertly on the subject of personal service and follow-through. In a highly competitive business, it is a must that our customers recognize us as valued suppliers and builders of growth, both from volume and profit. Your programs/destinations have allowed us to be just that. Your portfolio of properties and attention to detail exceed our and our customer's expectations. We have had many satisfied customers over the years, and thanks to your programs, have built long lasting relationships. We sincerely appreciate the high level of customer service and know that we have made the right choice for incentive travel products.
Let me take this opportunity to extend my thanks to you and Ciara Group for a very successful partnership. Speaking for myself, and the Dr Pepper bottlers in my Region, we made use of the flexibility of your trip packages in order to secure incremental promotional activity in a variety of ways. I also want to thank you for your willingness to "go the extra mile" in meeting with the bottlers and customizing trip packages for them. I believe that we will continue to increase both the number of packages being used and their effectiveness.
Our sales team at Brown Bottling has been utilizing the weekend travel certificates since 1989 as dealer loader premiums to drive incremental sales volume. Our association with the Ciara Group has been outstanding in the sense of customer service and satisfaction. We have confidence in the Ciara Group and their product line and have continued to utilize their customer-oriented services. The Ciara Group offers program customizing, flexibility and a win-win for our company and our customers.
Words are never enough, or, at best, shallow when is comes to expressing just how successful our “Vacation Give-A-Way" auto loan promotion was. You are aware that initially, I was the original "skeptic" regarding this program. But, finally, after a little coaxing, a commitment was made...the rest is history! We had only hoped to increase our loan volume by 30 additional auto loans over the months of March, April and May. As it turned out, we added 66 new and used auto loans that when added to our normal 45 per quarter, brought our total to 111. We added $1,844,100 to our auto loan portfolio during the promotion. The additional loan interest is estimated to be $177,000, or, stated another way; a 1,140% return on our investment. Your expert advice in helping us get started and the service support during the promotion were key factors to our success. Now, I see why you have such a loyal following.
As a reminder, our promotion ran for the months of April and May. Members with a new or used auto loan of $12,000 or more automatically received a free vacation. Our loan volume has been down for quite some time (only $136,748 in new/used loan volume for the first quarter of 1999). In April/May 1998, we disbursed $491,050 in new/used auto loans. I have been very happy with the service that I have received when calling Clara Group. Members receiving that same friendly service, was one of the main motivators for choosing Ciara Group.
I am writing on behalf of First Educators Credit Union in regards to our recent Drive In The Right Direction Fall Car Sale held from September 15 through October 30. The car sale was the first in credit union history to offer members who financed a minimum of $15,000 (new money) a free travel incentive packet. Although skeptical at first of the travel incentive market, and after many months of reviewing materials from various companies, I opted to give your company, Ciara Group, a try in our new promotional effort to increase automobile sales. Up until that point, we had seen a steady decrease in numbers over our last few car sales. I can only tell you that First Educators is extremely pleased with the recent outcome of our promotion. We set modest, but reachable, goals of 4.5 million in total sales (new and used) with a minimum of 300 loans booked, for an average loan of $15,000. With the help of your travel incentive program, we booked 367 loans for a total of $6,352,385 (an average of $17,309). Not only did loan volume increase, but averages increased as well, up from $14,000 during previous promotions.
I wanted to take the time to write you and thank you for all the support you and your organization provided me. During my tenure as Division Sales Manager at the Dr Pepper Company, your programs generated incremental sales that led towards attaining full year volume and profit goals over a 5-year period. Your programs built customer loyalty with both Dr Pepper retailers and Dr Pepper consumers. I have always appreciated the professionalism with which your company's representatives handle themselves. The truth of the matter is that my customers worked hard to earn the opportunity to win the incentive trip and Ciara Group delivers on its promise of complete customer satisfaction .... every time. Now that I have made a career path change into the manufactured housing industry, your program is also a great fit here. Vacation incentives do generate incremental sales and profits. Quite frankly, your program is appropriate with application to virtually any industry. I just dropped you this line to let you know that my future marketing plans definitely include Ciara Group.
It is always great when a company embarks on a program and it works immediately. We grew our second quarter sales by 17% during this promotion. We were looking for a 9% increase to make this a success. We almost doubled that. Your portfolio of properties exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend your services to clients who are interested in providing value to their employees and customers. I look forward to working with you in the future.
We have come to depend on the professionalism and attention to detail that Ciara Group has exhibited in dealing with our account. As you know, we have had many choices of companies to provide incentive travel packages to our customers. Our primary concern has been turning over our best customers to a third party that might not have the same interest in them that we hold. I am glad to say that we have never had an issue or problem! As a result of your service and the results we have received the Ciara incentive travel packages have become a permanent part of our promotional and marketing efforts at General Parts, Inc. Please thank your entire staff for their efforts.
Thank You! The words do not seem adequate, but they are heartfelt. As with any business, our customers are one of our most valuable assets. We are very selective about what promotions we present to them and how they perceive them. Their perception of the promotion and results they get will determine their longtime relationship with us. It is a pleasure to know our company's reputation is enhanced by our association with the Ciara Group. What do certificate users think of our company? You guessed it, we’re #1 when we present the vacation promotion. Everyone wins...the newspaper, the advertiser and the consumer. I look forward to new opportunities and a continuing relationship with the Ciara Group.
The great customer service provided by th Ciara Group is the real key to the success of these promotions. As you know, we came to your company after having bad experiences with a couple of your competitors. The professionalism and dedication of your staff along with the quality and economy of your product has renewed our initial excitement relative to these vacation incentive packages as excellent promotional vehicles.
Just wanted to share with you the tremendous response we had with our promotion we had with Ciara Group. When my Ciara Group representative and I talked about the travel packages I was apprehensive in the beginning to spend that amount of money on something we have never tried in past promotions. I ordered 30 packages for our loan promotion and was entitled to reorder before the end of November if needed. We thought the 30 would be more than enough. Well, we were wrong to say the least after we had to order another 30. It spread like wildfire among our membership and we actually had members wanting the trips after we ran out of our packages. To say I would recommend this type promotion to others is an understatement. And to those who may be skeptical about spending money on a promotion, I say, buy what you think you will need and get ready to reorder! Again, my thanks and from what I have heard from my members, they had great vacations!
June marked our second year doing business with Ciara Group. Once again, you have Outdone yourself With First Class Hotels and Super Locations. Our Vacation Promotion this year netted us a total of $400,000.00 in new loans. This promotion goes over so well, we always have to re-order additional packages. I treasure the business relationship between Houston Municipal and Ciara Group. Be assured the Vacation Promotion is an automatic on my annual marketing calendar. Ciara Gropu has always lived up to their word and will go the extra mile to make sure my members are satisfied. I have given numerous recommendations about Ciara Group to other credit unions and will continue to do so. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!
We entered into an agreement with Ciara in an effort to stimulate our loan portfolio growth. We had just sold our student loans and we were looking to replace that $750,000. We did a good bit better than that! Our promotion ran from May 1 to October 30. Although we targeted vehicle loans, any loan over $10,000 was granted a trip. During the six months, we booked $2,063,000 in promotional loans and gave away 133 vacation packages. In addition, the promotion generated enough interest in our loan program that we probably picked up an additional $1,000,000 in smaller loans. That is about twice our normal loan volume. Our members were really excited with the program. We actually had two members to transfer their auto loans from manufacturer sponsored financing to us at a higher rate, just to get the vacation package. We are really pleased with the results of the campaign. You and the rest of staff have been a real help. We were so impressed that we recommended your company and plan to one of Board of Directors. He has used the program as a sales incentive for his company and is as satisfied as we are.
The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce has utilized trips purchased from the Ciara Group for two years and have found them to be useful tools year round.
We encourage our member credit unions to take a look at Ciara Group’s services and encourage them, when appropriate to develop or continue a business relationship with you.
Over the past six years our staff has looked forward to our Vacation Promotion! Customers and sales people all like
the vacation packages. The packages make it possible to put the “car over the curb” on some of the tougher customers. Many thanks to you and your entire staff for the excellent home office support I have received. We found this a problem-free promotion.
I am writing to thank you for all of your help this past April with our Customer Incentive Promotion. You made it so easy and the results have been terrific. Our new Pet Supply product lines received a tremendous amount of attention during our vacation promotion and the interest has continues. Our sales numbers prove it! I look forward to working with you again in the future on similar projects. Working with you was pleasure, our customers are happy, the presentation materials were of high quality, the hotels and resorts are top notch and most of all, the value of your product cannot be beat.
Just thought I’d drop a line to thank you for your persistence in getting us with your program. The analysis I have performed shows that our $10,000 investment generated an additional $616,372.46 of loans over a three-month period. When we compared the performance this past cycle over the first, we discovered that when we marketed the promotion properly we had a 40% increase in loan demand. These results will generate and additional $110,000 in interest received by our Credit Union. The other thing which we are noticing is that many of these members have returned for subsequent loans and our portfolio has increased by 12% over the past 12 months. I also want to thank you for the service you have provided.
Quality Foods Cooperative, Inc. would like to thank you for providing an excellent sales incentive for our company to use at our Annual Food Shows. We have had calls form our customers asking if we were using the same promotion at this year’s food show and the answer is “YES”. People love to “win” and a vacation incentive like the Ciara Group provides helps to boost our sales. In the long run everybody wins. On behalf of Quality Foods Cooperative, Inc. “THANK YOU” to the Ciara Group for helping to make our Annual Food Show a big success! We look forward to working with you again in the near future.
Thank you Ciara Group for a great promotion! WE have used you program for dealer incentives and had such a success we had to buy more! It is a great way to promote quickly and easily and customers always want a “getaway”. I have found the properties to be exceptional. Everything runs smoothly and the rooms are great. As you know, I had dealt with another company with like services. I can only say that it was truly a nightmare. Not only did I have trouble as the purchaser, but I also had angry customers that could not get results for their weekends. I even had customers that refused to utilize the weekend package because of the unprofessional treatment. I appreciate the personal attention that I receive through your office. I have never been disappointed with service at Ciara Group. Ciara Group and its employees have been helpful and timely. We hope to offer many more incentive programs like this and Ciara group will be our choice for sure!
I wanted to take time to express to you and the other folks at Ciara Group my thanks and the Schlumberger Employees Credit Union's thanks for your part in helping us have one of the most successful four months in the credit union's history. We made more of these loans in this four-month period than we have ever made before. We had a wonderful time. We also used the complimentary vacations in a contest inside the credit union. All of our employees were thrilled with it. We are also giving away a few at our annual meeting. I look forward to having the same success next year.
We had set our goal of $600,000 in loans. We were overwhelmed by the response and ended the program with 64 new loans totaling $926,000.
Just a short note to let you know that once again our Vacation Give-A-Way has started off with a Boom! In just the first 15 days, we have disbursed $242,964.62 in Vehicle Loans and have opened Share Certificates in the amount of $440,000.00. For your records, I would like to add that we started working with you and your Ciara group in 1997 and have been very pleased with every individual we have dealt with and would highly recommend your company and your vacation incentive program to everyone. Any time we have needed either new deposits or new loans, your program has worked for us. For example in 1997,1998 and 1999, loans were disbursed totaling $1,389,782.16, $1,368,437.47 and $2,263,644.84, respectively. Our members love the vacation packages and have not experience any problems connected to them In fact hey ask when we will repeat the promotion.
I just wanted to take the time to say thanks for the time and the effort the Ciara group put forth to make our experience with them a pleasurable one and I’m sure our customers feel the same way. We have relied on the Ciara group for the past two years to supply vacations for our Mini Vacation Get-Away sales plans. During our search to find a company to supply vacations and help with the promotions the Ciara Group was head and shoulders above their competition.
Enclosed are two tear sheets, I use for our vacation give-a-way promotion. The doubletruck centerspread, in color, runs each Thursday during our 6-week promotion. Advertisers are allowed to change copy each week. The quarter page ad runs every day during the promotion except on Thursday, the day of the doubletruck. This encourages readers to go to the stores every day and register to win, generating excitement all during the contest. Of course, the cost is built in to the promotion package as well as the cost of the vacations themselves.
I am writing to share with you our considerable satisfaction with the vacation packages and service provided by you and your company. Everyone form your company with whom we have worked has been extremely cordial and helpful. It is a wonderful program for our staff and very easy to offer to them because of the service provided by you and your company. The vacation packages have been met by our employees with considerable pride upon being recognized for their hard work and success in achieving the desired outcomes. We have used them to reward staff for a variety of achievements. Some staff have indicated that it was as much fun selecting the trip as going on it. One staff member shared that she and her husband went to Las Vegas and it was a second honeymoon for them! Clearly our staff loves the vacation packages. Administrators have asked that we continue these awards as they are impressed with the overwhelmingly positive response by the recipients. It is a wonderful award with very good value. Thank You
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