Case Study: Elevating Private Membership Acquisition & Engagement

Kevin Ou
8 min readJun 28, 2024

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In the competitive world of luxury private membership clubs, understanding the intricate nuances of consumer psychology is crucial to crafting unforgettable experiences that captivate high-net-worth individuals.

The 25Hours experience, designed for Sky Premium International, exemplifies this approach by leveraging psychological insights to deepen member engagement and drive word-of-mouth referrals. This case study delves into the strategic design and execution of these exclusive experiences, highlighting how meticulous attention to psychological principles can elevate member satisfaction and attract new affluent members.

Industry

Private Members Club

Client

25Hours Pte Ltd / Sky Premium International Pte Ltd

Customer Profile

25Hours targets discerning individuals who strive for more in life. This audience includes:

Affluent Professionals:

  • Successful executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners who value networking and building meaningful connections within exclusive circles.
  • Typically aged between 35 to 55 years old, with significant disposable income and a penchant for luxury.

Global Citizens:

  • Well-traveled individuals who appreciate diverse cultures and seek global connections.
  • They value unique, curated experiences that offer a blend of local authenticity and global luxury standards.

Luxury Lifestyle Enthusiasts:

  • People who are passionate about high-end dining, exclusive events, and premium products.
  • They prioritize quality, exclusivity, and personalized services in their lifestyle choices.

Social Influencers:

  • Influential figures within their social circles who have the ability to affect the decisions of others due to their status and lifestyle.
  • They often seek unique experiences that can be shared with their networks, enhancing their personal brand and influence.

Psychographics and Preferences

  • Exclusive Access: They value experiences that offer privacy, exclusivity, and access to elite circles.
  • High Standards: They have high expectations for quality and service, preferring brands that consistently deliver exceptional experiences.
  • Personalization: They appreciate tailored experiences that cater to their individual tastes and preferences.
  • Networking Opportunities: They seek opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and expand their social and professional networks.
  • Sophisticated Aesthetics: They have a keen eye for design and aesthetics, favoring environments that reflect sophistication and elegance.

Objective / Goal

The primary goal of the member experiences and content, is to deepen engagement with existing members while strategically designing a word-of-mouth referral program that attracts new discerning members, both locally and internationally. This initiative is tailored to align with the club’s ideal customer profile, ensuring that every element of the program resonates with the unique needs and preferences of affluent individuals.

We sought out to create a compelling value proposition that not only retains current members but also serves as a magnet for prospective clients. This involves curating exclusive benefits, unique experiences, and personalized services that distinguish the invite-only club as a premier destination for discerning clients seeking unparalleled sophistication and connectivity.

Through targeted marketing strategies and bespoke engagement tactics, we seek to establish and nurture long-term relationships with these high-value clients, positioning the club as their preferred choice for luxury and exclusivity in a vibrant social setting.

EXPERIENCE DESIGN

As the head of events & experiences at 25Hours & Sky Premium International, we spearheaded an initiative that focused on training the in-house events team in the art of experience design. This training was essential to distinguish between mere events and truly holistic experiences. Under Kevin’s leadership, the company developed a strategic approach that led to the launch of an ongoing program featuring a sequence of unique, memorable microexperiences that seamlessly integrated into a comprehensive macroexperience.

Kevin leveraged psychological insights to understand the motivations behind why members chose to spend their time with us amidst numerous other options and invitations. The focus centered on cultivating community and strengthening relationships.

The members turned to us for meaningful interactions with their partners and clients, where each session not only captivated their attention but also provided a valuable opportunity to engage with their guests. A key innovation was our practice of co-creation, which empowered our members to actively participate in shaping their experiences with us. This personalized approach fostered a sense of belonging and community.

Our strategy included the creation of exclusive, themed experiences designed to enhance networking and stimulate conversation. Notable among these was the Rare Sake Experience, which involved specially flown-in selections from Japan, shared in Singapore’s highest corporate penthouse. We also hosted private dining events with the renowned Chef Nobu in the lead-up to his restaurant’s grand opening.

These carefully curated experiences not only encouraged deeper interaction among members but also naturally promoted word-of-mouth referrals, expanding our membership base through genuine endorsements.

INSIGHTS

By delving deeply into the preferences and profiles of our members, we meticulously tailored each experience to ensure that they were not only enjoyable but deeply meaningful and memorable. This deliberate focus on crafting shared, impactful moments played a pivotal role in cultivating a community of dedicated brand champions. Each initiative was strategically designed to achieve a significant return on investment, underscoring the value and effectiveness of our approach.

Through these carefully curated experiences, we achieved more than just member retention; we created a compelling attraction that resonated with a new clientele. This new group of members perfectly aligned with the club’s prestigious profile, enhancing the overall community with their presence.

Our success in this endeavor was not accidental but the result of a concerted effort to understand and meet the high standards and expectations of our audience, thereby fostering a strong, engaged, and loyal community.

PSYCHOLOGY DESIGN

The member experiences and engagement strategy for 25Hours / Sky Premium International were meticulously designed to deepen engagement with existing members and attract new high-net-worth (HNW) members through a word-of-mouth referral program.

This strategy leveraged several consumer psychology principles to create memorable experiences that resonated with the unique needs of affluent individuals.

Community and Belonging

  • Psychological Insight: Human beings have an innate need to belong and feel part of a community. For HNW individuals, this sense of belonging is often tied to exclusivity and shared experiences.
  • Implementation: By creating a series of exclusive, themed experiences, the strategy fostered a strong sense of community among members. The co-creation practice further empowered members, making them feel valued and integral to the club, thus enhancing their sense of belonging.

Peak-End Rule

  • Psychological Insight: People tend to judge experiences based on their peak (the most intense point) and their end, rather than the total sum of the experience.
  • Implementation: The Rare Sake Experience and private dining events with Chef Nobu were designed to be peak experiences, leaving members with strong, positive memories that overshadow any less exciting moments. These high points were strategically placed to ensure a lasting positive impression.

Exclusivity and Scarcity

  • Psychological Insight: Exclusivity and scarcity can increase perceived value and desirability. People tend to place higher value on things that are not easily accessible.
  • Implementation: The invite-only nature of the events, the rarity of the sake selections, and the high-profile dining experiences all created a sense of scarcity and exclusivity, making the membership and its benefits more desirable.

Social Proof and Influence

  • Psychological Insight: People are influenced by the behaviors and endorsements of others, especially those within their social circle or community.
  • Implementation: The word-of-mouth referral program capitalized on social proof. Members who experienced and enjoyed the events naturally endorsed the club to their peers, creating a powerful referral network that attracted new members.

Engagement Through Co-Creation

  • Psychological Insight: Allowing consumers to co-create their experiences enhances their engagement and satisfaction. This involvement fosters a sense of ownership and deeper connection to the brand.
  • Implementation: The co-creation approach enabled members to shape their experiences, which not only personalized the events but also made members feel more invested and loyal to the club.

Impactful Elements and ROI

  • Themed Experiences: The thematic approach (e.g., Rare Sake Experience) not only provided unique and memorable experiences but also facilitated natural conversation and networking, essential for building relationships among HNW individuals.
  • Personalized Engagement: Tailoring events to the specific preferences and profiles of members ensured that each experience was meaningful and enjoyable, leading to high levels of satisfaction and retention.
  • Strategic Referrals: The deliberate focus on creating impactful moments that members would want to share with others ensured that the referral program was effective in attracting new members who aligned with the club’s profile.

CONCLUSION

In a highly saturated market, private membership clubs must differentiate themselves to stand out, and exceptional customer experience becomes the key unique selling proposition (USP). Such clubs thrive by offering unparalleled, personalized service that caters specifically to the sophisticated needs and preferences of their members.

By prioritizing an intimate understanding of each member, these clubs can tailor experiences, events, and interactions to exceed expectations consistently. This focus on delivering a superior customer experience not only cultivates loyalty but also elevates the club’s status, setting it distinctly apart from competitors in a crowded industry.

ABOUT: The Lumenere Group

The Lumenere Group (TLG) specializes in crafting bespoke, high-impact experiences for affluent consumers, using cutting-edge psychological insights to elevate every interaction. Our unique approach blends expert knowledge of consumer behavior with innovative design to create experiences that not only captivate but also foster deep connections and brand loyalty.

From immersive luxury showrooms to exclusive VIP gatherings, The Lumenere Group transforms ordinary events into extraordinary moments that leave a lasting impression.

Note: This section highlights our expertise in experience design, demonstrating how we elevate each brand we work with.

Each case study reflects our strategic and experiential capabilities, offering insights into our processes and the impactful results we achieve. For privacy, some images are recreated with Generative AI technology, ensuring confidentiality while visually showcasing our work.

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Kevin Ou

Kevin partners with organizations to infuse psychological insights into customer experiences, elevating acquisition and engagement for affluent consumers.