Australia Post forms partnerships to boost Digital Mailbox use
Australia Post has signed two agreements taking on industry partners to bolster its MyPost Digital Mailbox service. The company has formed a partnership with one of Australia’s largest financial institutions, Westpac Banking Corporation, which will see financial statements and communications sent to customers via the digital mail service.
Under the partnership with Westpac, Australia Post will also make use of Westpac’s card payment services in post offices.
The other agreement has been signed with airline Virgin Australia, which will see its loyalty programme members able to receive communications through the Digital Mailbox, and also earn loyalty points with the airline programme for using the Digital Mailbox.
Australia Post launched its Digital Mailbox service to the public last year with the aim of sustaining its position in Australia’s transactional communications field as its physical letters business declines.
The Post says it has had a “strong uptake” since its launch, with businesses including Telstra, AMP, Sydney Water, Brisbane City Council and many others looking to support it.
Westpac
Sydney-based Westpac is one of Australia’s big four banks, with about 12.2m customers.
Westpac customers will be able to make use of Australia Post’s MyPost Digital Mailbox to receive their bank statements and bills from the second half of this year.
Ahmed Fahour, the Australia Post chief executive, said: “Through the digital mailbox, Westpac will be able to provide its customers with access to their mail including statements, bills and important correspondence on a convenient and secure digital platform.”
The other string of the partnership will see Westpac gaining an important customer for its card acquiring services.
Brian Hartzer, the bank’s chief executive for Australian financial services, said: “Australia Post is one of the country’s top three merchants and its decision to use our card acquiring services in post offices nationally is a huge coup for us and a great fit for our two companies. More importantly, their customers, many of whom bank with us, will benefit from new and improved services which we believe will make it easier for them to do business every time they walk into a post office.”
Virgin Australia
Meanwhile, Australia Post has teamed up with Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer programme so that Digital Mailbox users can earn frequent flyer points for carrying out online transactions like bill payments through the digital mail platform from later this month.
Later this year, Velocity members will also be able to receive their monthly statements through the digital mailbox.
Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer John Borghetti said: “While Australia Post is one of Australia’s oldest companies, it is now leading the way with innovative self-service tools and maintains a strong affinity with its loyal customer base. These are values that align closely with Virgin Australia as we continue to drive innovation through our loyalty programme.”
