Some of Vodafone and Ziggo’s longest-standing customers received an unexpected visitor this week. VodafoneZiggo CEO Stephen van Rooyen personally visited customers who have been with Vodafone, Ziggo or their predecessor companies for decades to thank them for their loyalty.
The visits mark the introduction of the renewed Priority programme, under which the benefits customers receive increase according to how long they have been a customer.
“Telecom companies spend a lot of time trying to win new customers. Of course, that matters. But I also wanted to personally thank some of the people who have chosen to stay with us year after year – and in some cases for several decades,” says Van Rooyen. “They place their trust in us every day. We should never take that for granted. Loyalty should be worth more, not less, and that is the principle behind the new Priority.”
From Silver to Diamond
Under the renewed Priority, Vodafone and Ziggo customers are automatically recognised according to the length of their relationship with the company. The longer they stay, the higher their Priority status – from Silver through Gold and Platinum to Diamond – and the greater the benefits they receive. Depending on their status, benefits include two to five complimentary months of selected streaming services or sports packages and €20 to €50 of credit to spend in Vodafone and Ziggo stores. Customers do not need to collect points, opt in or spend more to progress. Their years as a customer determine their status.
Customer relationships spanning generations
Across the Netherlands, VodafoneZiggo identified customers whose relationships with Vodafone, Ziggo and their predecessor companies stretch back decades – including former local cable operators and brands such as Casema, Multikabel, @Home, UPC Nederland and Libertel.
Van Rooyen personally visited several of them. Among them were Mrs. Van Rossum from Den Bosch, who has been a customer for 21 years, and Mrs. Van Brakel from Woerden, whose relationship with Ziggo and its predecessor companies stretches back an extraordinary 54 years. Jeffrey van den Burg from Haarlem first became a UPC customer 34 years ago and remains a Ziggo customer today.
Almost half of Ziggo customers have been customers of Ziggo or its predecessors for more than 15 years. Around one third of Vodafone customers have been customers for more than 15 years.
Van Rooyen cannot knock on every customer’s door. So, thousands of Vodafone and Ziggo’s longest standing customers will also receive a personal thank-you and a digital flower gift card. “The flowers are symbolic,” says Van Rooyen. “The more important change is what sits behind them. We want recognising loyalty to become part of how we operate, not something we do for one day. Priority is a very tangible start.”
The customer visits and reactions can be seen from today on VodafoneZiggo’s social media channels.
More information about Priority and its benefits is available at Priority.nl, Vodafone and Ziggo.