Costco launches social member referral program

Costco is trying to increase its membership base in Canada with an innovative social media campaign.

The warehouse club retailer has launched a customer referral program twinned with social media that uses technology from a firm called Buyapowa.

The campaign launched this week in partnership with Proctor & Gamble and will allow Costco members to win $20 of P&G Goods for every friend they refer to Costco to become a member. All successful referrers will be shown on a leaderboard, with additional P&G prizes awarded to those when the promotion ends.

According to Buyapowa, this kind of program is the next step in customer referrals: a gamified, social experience for users to encourage referrals as well as loyalty.

Here’s the steps Costco members will follow to sign up and win: 1. Click the Get Started button to register. 2. Enter your information. 3. Share with your friends! 4. Once shared, you will receive a confirmation email when someone you referred successfully signed up for a new Costco membership. 5. With each successful referral, you will receive your Gift Pack by mail within 6-8 weeks. 6. Check the Leaderboard for your ranking and chance to win more prizes!

The gift pack includes Tide Pods Free & Gentle (1 action pack), Febreeze clip (1 vent clip), Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (1 pad), Pantene Shampoo Sheer Volume (50 mL), Pantene Conditioner Sheer Volume (50 mL), Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo (50 mL), Olay Ultra Moisture Bodywash (50 mL), Secret Clinical (14 g), and Embrace Sensitive Razor (1).

Based in London and New York, Buyapowa is a 'Social Customer get Customer' sales platform used by the likes of Tesco, O2, NBC Universal, Costco, EE and Debenhams to transform fans and followers into shopper advocates.