Project Description
Zapper: Taking the lead
Background
Founded in 2014, Zapper is an independent mobile payments, insights, loyalty and rewards platform, using QR code technology.
Zapper enables people to make fast, easy and secure payments while they earn loyalty and discounts in a seamless, frictionless, integrated experience. Merchants can use data-driven insights to better engage customers, build superior relationships and grow. These include Dischem, Food Lovers Market, KFC, and Mugg and Bean.
Challenge
Semaphore represented Zapper from 2020 to 2022. At the time, the Covid-19 pandemic was just sweeping through the world and with the rise of contactless payments and QR, there was a great opportunity for Zapper to take the lead in QR payments in South Africa.
But, the growth opportunities would also come with challenges – from big/ new competitors, to smaller but very innovative adversaries, and of course, interoperability.
Approach
PR balanced a strong B2B, merchant-focused strategy with coverage in mainstream media and consumer technology press. The goal was to establish Zapper as a trusted business partner with foresight into the QR code landscape, while underlining the value of its integrated platform, Zapper’s key role in the CX chain, and credible insight into payments data.
This included media relations, speaker slots, strategic counsel with reputation management, and content for marketing collateral.
Some of the biggest coverage included: Bloomberg, Financial Mail RedZone, BusinessLive, Cape Talk, MyBroadband, News24, Memeburn, TechCentral, Htxt.Africa, Stuff, TechFinancials, Gadget,African Retail, RetailBriefAfrica
Results
From year one to two, PR doubled the coverage reach. Media also increasingly approached Zapper’s CEO for comment on QR-code and contactless payment related issues, while there was an increase in speaker invitations.
By the end of 2022, Zapper was well respected and highly regarded in the B2B space.
