New COO strengthens Welcome Real-time’s leadership team

Sept. 1, 2010 - PRLog -- Welcome Real-time, the global leader in innovative loyalty solutions, today announced the appointment of Ludovic Houri as Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Houri will be responsible for leading the company’s global sales, product marketing and development and delivery teams. Based in Welcome Real-time’s Paris office, Houri will head up teams in Aix-en-Provence and Singapore, as well as the company’s international sales offices. As COO he will report directly to Welcome Real-time’s CEO François Dutray.

Houri brings more than 20 years of payments industry experience, having worked in several senior management positions across France, Germany, the UK and Netherlands. Most recently Houri held the role of Vice-President of Multi-national merchants for First Data, one of the largest providers of merchant processing services. Prior to joining First Data 8 years ago, Houri spent 12 years at American Express, where his roles included Business Development Director for Global Network Services.

Commenting on his new role, Houri said: “Welcome Real-time brings an innovative approach to solutions that allow banks, retailers and other organizations to inspire and build customer loyalty and grow the business. The opportunities for growth in this area are vast, as it is crucial for businesses and financial institutions to ensure they are retaining customers as well as gaining new ones. I look forward to leading Welcome Real-time’s sales, product marketing and development and delivery teams to ensure we collaborate as efficiently and effectively as possible on developing innovative solutions that engender customer loyalty.”

CEO of Welcome Real-time, François Dutray added, “Houri’s extensive payments industry expertise, senior level management experience and proven track record in managing international teams across multiple geographies, made him the ideal choice for the COO role. Houri’s appointment is part of our wider strategy to further strengthen our global sales, product marketing and development and delivery, ensuring a strategic approach across all regions. We are delighted to have Houri onboard and have no doubt he will be a great asset to our company.”

About Welcome Real-time
Welcome Real-time (Welcome) is the global leader in innovative loyalty solutions to Fortune 500 banks, retailers and other organisations worldwide. Through its proven Welcome XLS software, Welcome helps organisations run real-time loyalty and marketing programmes that drive a change in the behaviour of their customers, ultimately driving long-term growth and profitability. Established in 1996, Welcome is implemented across 5 continents and in over 30 countries worldwide, proving its ability to meet any business need.  Further information about Welcome Real-time can be found at www.welcome-rt.com.

For more information, please contact:

For Asia:
Melinda Ilagan
EASTWEST Public Relations for Welcome Real-time
T: +65 6222 0306
E: melinda@eastwestpr.com

Mavis Liew
Welcome Real-time
T: +65 6870 8642
E: m.liew@welcome-rt.com

For Europe:
Melanie Hesketh /Rhiannon Davies
Metia
T: +44 20 3100 3584 /+44 20 3100 3508
E: melanie.hesketh@metia.com / rhiannon.davies@metia.com