Welcome to The RetailWire Podcast, where we dive into the dynamic world of the retail industry! In this episode, our host Brian introduces his guest, David Slavick, co-founder of Ascendant Loyalty Marketing. They embark on a captivating conversation, tracing David's journey from his upbringing in Chicago to his foray into the advertising industry and eventual specialization in loyalty marketing.As the discussion unfolds, David shares memorable encounters with influential figures along his career path, including an ad man he encountered during his old drugstore job and Billy Payton, the visionary behind Neiman Marcus' renowned encircle program. The conversation explores the realm of personalized shopping services, rewards programs based on customer spending, and the added benefits of free shipping and easy returns policies.David delves into his wealth of experience in loyalty marketing, shedding light on his work with Briarly and the key principles that drive successful loyalty programs. He emphasizes the significance of personalization and relevancy, cautioning against relying solely on discounts. Effective analytics and strategic implementation of data insights are also highlighted as crucial factors in loyalty program success. David offers valuable insights on the careful considerations needed when implementing subscription programs, warning against blind adoption without thoughtful examination of customer implications and the ability to deliver on promises.Delivering value to customers through subscription models takes center stage as David stresses the importance of avoiding customer disappointment and churn. The conversation also explores the power of hindsight analysis, where retailers evaluate their performance and seek feedback to continuously improve. David's excitement for the potential of AI tools and coalition programs as loyalty strategies is palpable, with an emphasis on sustainability and establishing emotional connections with brands. Reflecting on his journey, David shares advice he would offer his younger self, including early investment in the stock market and remaining open to emerging opportunities.Listeners are treated to additional wisdom from David, the founder of Ascendant Loyalty. He encourages listeners to seek advice from trust lawyers for the benefit of their children, advocates for innovation and taking breaks to foster creativity, and emphasizes the importance of embracing failure as a catalyst for growth. David invites listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn or through his company's website, AscendantLoyalty.com. He expresses his gratitude for being part of the BRAINTRUST and RetailWire platforms, and encourages listeners to subscribe and leave comments for future episodes of The RetailWire Podcast.-----Connect with David Slavick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidaslavick/RetailWire is the retail industry's premier source for news, analysis, and discussion. With a focus on the latest trends, technology, and consumer behavior, RetailWire provides a platform for industry experts and thought leaders to share their insights and perspectives. Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or service provider, RetailWire is your go-to destination for staying informed and ahead of the curve.Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You might even hear your comment read on the next episode!To learn more, or to join our Daily Discussions, visit RetailWire.com.