I’m really impressed by brands like Nike and Starbucks, they’re masters at blending physical and digital experiences seamlessly. Nike connects app engagement with in-store events and loyalty rewards, creating a community-driven ecosystem rather than just pushing products.
Starbucks does a fantastic job using their app and loyalty programme to drive repeat behaviour with timely, personalised offers across email, push, and in-app. Plus they localise content brilliantly based on everything from weather to time of day.
I also think Duolingo is a great example of making engagement fun and habit-forming. Their use of gamification across push notifications, email, and in-app journeys feels playful but is highly effective at driving daily engagement.
These brands are creating experiences that feel so natural and valuable to the customer.
