Cardlytics’ Softball Team hits the playoffs with a Bang

May 24, 2011 - PRLog -- ATLANTA, May 24, 2011 – After a rocky season with only one win – gained through a default, Cardlytics’ softball team pulls together for one of the biggest wins of the season, defeating the number one team in its league with a 13-11 score. Cardlytics the pioneer and industry-leading provider of transaction-driven marketing is making waves in the 2011 Spring Softball – Mens Tuesday Brookhaven Boys and Girls Club league! Working hard and playing hard.

“We knew it would be a tough match, but we aimed to hit the play-offs with a bang,” said team manager, Kevin Daniels, Cardlytics. “Some may say we only made the playoffs  due to default, but we were saving our best until last and, after several incredible plays, we came out on top in the most important game of the year so far. The team’s commitment and perseverance to doing its best all the way to the end –  when the pressure was on  – is truly commendable. The commitment and perseverance we see from our colleagues every day at work extended onto the field of play: we wanted to make the company proud”

Cardlytics took an early lead in the first inning with a score of 2-1, but by the third inning, the team’s momentum began to deteriorate as the opposing team scored seven runs. With spirits low, Daniels  pulled the team together for a game-changing speech – one that Lincoln himself would have relished.

With spirits upbeat once again, Cardlytics brought in three runs by the fourth inning, closing the gap to 10-7 with the opposing team in the lead. By the bottom of the fifth – ‘supposed’ to be the final inning - the pressure was on and Cardlytics needed to step it up to stay in the game. Another run added but still down by two, Cardlytics’ player Big Casey A, left field, stepped up to bat. With two runners on base, two outs on the field, this hit was crucial – a home run wins the game, an ‘out’ and the season is over. Casey turned out a swing that brought in two runs, tying the game and bringing the crowd to their feet!    

Neck and neck through the sixth inning, Cardlytics opened up in the seventh inning pulling ahead to a 13-10 lead, but the opposing team gained on them during the bottom of the inning. Now at a 13-11 score, two players on base and two outs, the next play would determine the outcome of the game. As the crowd waited in nail-biting silence, the batter hits a pop-up foul. Cardlytics’ player Mark Brown, catcher, sacrifices himself in pursuit of the potential game-winning catch flying towards the fence, and with an almighty impact, the ball bounces out of his glove. The crowd couldn’t contain their excitement anymore and emotions overflowed. Brown acknowledged the passion, gesticulating appropriately as he took up position for the next ball.

The next ball comes. A huge swing saw the ball crushed. A hit that looked like it could have flown into the next field. Like a true professional player, Cardlytics’ player Kevin Daniels, team manager and second baseman, appeared from nowhere and reached for an improbable catch. In a split second, the ball stuck, bringing the game to a victorious – and famous – close.

Next game, Tuesday May 24th – bring it on!

The Cardlytics team line up included:
·   Pete ‘the pitcher’ (a cool hand under tremendous pressure)
·   Mark Brown, catcher (pursuer of game-winning catch; tamer of the crowd)
·   David Feehan, first base (took no prisoners running opposing player down in a pickle)
·   Kevin Daniels, second base and team manager (took game-winning catch)
·   Max-a-million, third base
·   Ricardo Harman, short stop (professionalism defined – despite the distraction of being newly-wedded)
·   Richie Kaiser, right field (scored run in extra inning, giving the team the lead)
·   Duke of Earl, center field
·   Casey Arundel, left field (scored game-tying double)

About Cardlytics
Through a highly relevant, "market-of-one" approach, Cardlytics unites banks and merchants to provide rich rewards to customers based on their individual purchase behavior. Its technology tracks consumers’ actual purchases, providing the first digital channel that can guarantee offline sales and help consumers realize savings of hundreds of dollars per year on the products they purchase every day. The rewards improve consumers’ banking behavior by increasing usage, reducing attrition and strengthening engagement with online banking. Cardlytics’ multi-channel approach includes online banking, SMS, e-mail, mobile, online-mall and social networks. For more information about Cardlytics, visit www.cardlytics.com.