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PPI Group taps mobile to push shopping deals to guests at ports of call

Author

Giselle Tsirulnik

PPI Group, which operates Port Shopping Programs for Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line, is using mobile to push real-time content to guests in their ports of call.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Cunard Line, Louis Cruises and P&O Cruises also have Port Shopping Programs operated by PPI. The company has tapped Cellflare Inc. to service its onboard Port Shopping Program worldwide.

“The Cellflare mobile app will provide cruise guests with ports-of-call shopping information and coupons delivered once their cruise ship arrives in their ports of call,” said Bill Panoff, president of PPI Group, Fort Lauderdale, FL. “Cruise Guests can download Cellflare once they arrive in port to find out the best shopping deals.”

PPI operates Port Shopping Programs for more than 65 cruise ships worldwide. Ports of call include Alaska, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and Hawaii.

PPI has longstanding relationships with more than 500 retailers and 50 international brands spanning over 150 worldwide ports of call.

With more than 25 years of experience, PPI has been operating the Port Shopping Program and evolving it over the years in order to maximize cruise guests’ shopping opportunities.
 
PPI cruises will use Cellflare’s Mobile Proximity Marketing feature to push real-time content to cruise guests in their ports of call.

The Cellflare location-based marketing feature will push opt-in content to users when they are within a predesignated distance of a location.

The content includes coupons, vouchers, menus or other options.

Here is a screen grab of one of the offers:

The notification will include real-time information from the port of call, which PPI hopes will result in a more rewarding experience for the cruise guest.

“As the program is just launching product categories will include jewelry, watches, souvenirs and etcetera,” Mr. Panoff said. “Some of the offers include free gifts, others are percentage discounts off merchandise.”