Towers Watson recently announced the release of Talent|REWARD v7, the newest version of the company’s software solution that helps organizations deliver comprehensive talent management and reward programs. The new version of Talent|REWARD v7 provides a broad range of capabilities for organizations looking to improve business results through better management of HR processes and their employees. The software lets organizations optimize and automate talent and reward programs, focusing on three key themes:

• Usability. Personalized dashboards, one-click access to critical capabilities, and support for Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari and Firefox allow users to leverage the technology and processes they are most comfortable with more efficiently.
• Leverage. The latest release now includes support for both Towers Watson job-leveling methodologies -Career Map and Global Grading -enabling clients to leverage their investment in the company’s proprietary approach to global job leveling.
• Speed. All users will benefit from a three- to fivefold increase in application responsiveness. This will help all managers and employees, as well as HR, realize the true value of an integrated talent management and reward solution.

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Peppers & Rogers Group’s 1to1 Media division has announced its 2011 class of 1to1 Customer Champions. The 1to1 Customer Champions program recognizes executives who believe in treating customers in a way that builds loyalty and engagement while driving bottom-line results for their organizations. Now in its eighth year, the program honors 15 executives annually who use innovative approaches to instill customer-centric strategies throughout their organizations. The 2011 honorees include:

• Ven Bontha, Director of Customer Experience, CEMEX
• Rich Brecht, Senior Contact Center Manager, J&P Cycles
• Mike Colbourn, VP and Director of Marketing, Stowe Mountain Resort
• Roger Curtis, President, Michigan International Speedway
• Susan DeLaney, VP Customer Experience, UPS
• Tom Feeney, President and CEO, Safelite AutoGlass
• Dennis Fitzgerald, VP Customer Satisfaction, Yaskawa Electric America, Inc.
• Stephen Jackson, Chief Information Officer, Harry Rosen Inc.
• Donna Lendzyk, Manager, Customer Loyalty, SaskTel
• Ingrid Lindberg, Customer Experience Officer, Cigna
• David Payne, Assistant VP Contact Center, Stancorp Financial Group Inc.
• Chuck Sliker, Senior VP of Operations Service, Arby’s
• Jeffrey J. Smith, VP Operations and Loyalty Services, Omni Hotels & Resorts
• Tim Teran, Senior VP Consumer Insights and Strategy, Macy’s Inc.
• Jay Topper, Senior VP Customer Success, Rosetta Stone

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Maritz recently announced the launch of Maritz Journeys, a new division providing personalized, one-of-a-kind travel itineraries geared toward incentive/reward trips and vacation planning for individuals and small groups. By tailoring the experience to the traveler’s interests and specifications – such as length of travel, destination, activities and budget – programs are designed from the bottom up to create a truly rewarding and memorable experience. The travel solutions range from incentive trips and experiential travel to destination celebrations and multi-generational family travel. Info at www.maritzjourneys.com

LoyaltyShares LLC, a New York-based company, is launching what it calls a Loyalty Equity Acquisition Program, or LEAP, offering a way to include the sponsoring company’s publicly traded stock as an award redemption option without disrupting or changing the current loyalty program process and technology. In addition to providing a template for implementation and guidance in planning, LoyaltyShares LLC will have an ongoing program role as data intermediary, facilitating the flow of information to and from program members, the reward-points system, and the system for administering program shares. Info at www.loyaltyshares.com

Dittman Incentive Marketing, a national performance improvement and incentive marketing provider, has launched a new website highlighting leading corporate group travel incentives. “Our success over the years is deeply rooted in the belief that best-in-class incentive travel is the prime mover in the motivational universe,” says Jim Dittman, President of Dittman Incentive Marketing. “It moves minds and hearts into action that produces demonstrable ROI against ambitious goals.” Dittman Incentive Marketing partners with Fortune 500 corporations to design and deploy customized solutions that improve sales performance and employee engagement. By communicating corporate brand values and brand promise, corporate human resources, sales and marketing executives can leverage Dittman Incentive Marketing to enhance corporate culture for a more engaged workforce. Info at www.DittmanIncentiveTravel.com

As part of its recent rebranding, Groupe Aeroplan, parent of Carlson Marketing, announced that the company is changing its name to Aimia. The business-to-business brands LMG Insight & Communication and Carlson Marketing will now operate under the name Aimia. Also effective immediately, PollStream has changed its name to TemboSocial, reflecting the firm’s increased emphasis on its suite of solutions and the development of other software tools focused on connection, conversation, recognition and additional engagement products and services.