Lorraine Simpson: Loop Insights tech will transform the travel industry and our economy

When will this all be over?

That’s the question everyone is asking as we continue to combat a global pandemic.

We have just officially entered the third wave, but with the bad comes the good, thanks to innovation and new technology.

While many of us, including businesses and organizations, feel like curling up in a ball and calling it quits, we all need to know that there are frontrunners in the game, working to make big things happen to help get our economy moving again.

Sure, leadership and decision-making efforts are being questioned at all levels of government, and the healthcare sector too for that matter, but this is not a time to point fingers. We are in a global crisis and we need solutions to get people working and spending their money. It has been 13 months since COVID-19 put our country, and world, at a standstill, and we just can’t continue to have everything in lockdown – it’s not good for our economy, nor our well-being.

At present, there are all sorts of businesses and innovators making a positive impact that will help in the “big reboot.”

We all know the vaccination rollout is happening and many of us wish it would move quicker, but rapid testing is being pushed hard, as are innovative security solutions, apps, robots, and more, to get us through this mess.

The more innovation we employ, the better off we will be now and in the long run. We just can’t keep things in lockdown – it’s ruining our economy and it’s taking a dramatic toll on us financially and emotionally.

When I talk about innovation, I can point to a large number of efforts being made, but in my column today I really want to highlight the technology that Loop Insights have launched. The Vancouver-based company has been working so hard to make a positive difference here at home and beyond. And their efforts are not going unnoticed. They are now helping scores of industries remain alive since the pandemic shook our world to its core just over a year ago.

You see, Loop Insights has developed and launched technology that will help reopen our world.

Here is the best way to describe what they are doing: like the internet connects websites, Loop connects physical locations, providing the data connectivity that will level the playing field between brick-and-mortar retailers and businesses and online giants.

The company just announced its strategic alliance with NeilsonIQ to transform the retail sector with enhanced customer engagement using real-time business intelligence. Their partnership with NielsonIQ will enable NielsonIQ’s retail clients to gain access to Loop’s real-time data intelligence, which will give  them a huge advantage in a very competitive retail market. The news is awesome as we are poised to enter a “new normal” in commerce, more specifically, retail, travel, tourism, and hospitality.

Now let’s have a closer look at this cool Fobi device: it physically or digitally, seamlessly plugs into a business’s point of sale and customer relationship management infrastructure to connect data – online, in-store, and across properties. Using Loop’s cloud-based artificial intelligence capabilities, Fobi makes sense of your data and makes it actionable and easy to use.

But what everyone also needs to know is how Loop’s Wallet pass technology ties into all this. Loop’s Wallet pass is now transforming a number of industries with its venue management and event bubble solutions in live environments, helping businesses, organizations, and governments alike to identify, assess, and keep people safe. Loop’s contact tracing platform is a safe and fully managed solution for events and large entities. Their Wallet pass technology also offers an integrated and verified COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Certification Pass, and which can be connected with its Fobi technology to enable venue access control, ticketing, etc., all based on your testing or vaccination status.

Loop’s Wallet pass can also be used as an engagement tool, as it was most recently at the MGM Championship PGA event in Las Vegas.  Golfers, caddies, staff and fans used Loop’s Wallet pass technology to check in and out of the event, however they were also able to find links to useful information on the back of the pass, such as the tournament schedule, etc.  And, MGM also pushed promotions for other MGM properties, shows and BetMGM to all the passes, driving engagement and increased revenue.  You can read more here.

Loop Insights and NeilsonIQ are thrilled with their new alliance, and like I said it’s going to help tourism, retail and so many businesses who want to stay better connected with their customers and is ideal on the health and safety fronts with venue management and contact tracing.

“At NielsenIQ, we continuously strive to collaborate with the most forward-thinking disruptors to deliver value to our clients,” says Richard Lee, VP, Strategic Alliances, NielsenIQ. “Loop has made significant progress establishing itself as an innovative leader in the retail data space. Together, with our foundational consumer and retail insights, we have tremendous opportunity to establish new product offerings, expand coverage and facilitate retail success with business intelligence and real-time capabilities.”

Retailers will benefit from an enhanced understanding of consumer behavior, thereby boosting personalization, targeting and activation initiatives through the joint power of NielsenIQ and Loop.

“The scope, gravity and validation of this agreement with NielsenIQ represent an incredible milestone for Loop and its shareholders,” says Rob Anson, CEO, Loop Insights. “NielsenIQ is the global leader when it comes to measurement and data analytics, as well as providing the most complete and trusted view of the market for leading CPG brands and retailers. In establishing this alliance, Loop is now on a path to achieve global enterprise scale and has firmly put a stake in the ground as an emerging disruptive player in the world of retail data aggregation and analytics.”

I will be writing more about Loop Insights, and in the meantime if you own a business or organization, contact me today so I can share the power of Loop’s technology and even introduce you to their team.