What if we've been thinking about gift cards completely wrong?

For years, gift cards were viewed as last-minute presents, forgotten balances, and awkward holiday exchanges. But what if they're actually becoming one of the most important pieces of modern commerce infrastructure?

In this episode of Stacked, Jennifer LaForge sits down with Nicole Stanaland, Director of Rewards & Payout Partnerships at Tillo, to explore the evolution of gift cards from simple gifting tools into what Nicole calls "branded currency."

Drawing on nearly two decades of experience across payments, fintech, rewards, and digital incentives, Nicole shares why consumers are increasingly buying gift cards for themselves, how mobile wallets are reshaping spending habits, and why brands that still view rewards as an add-on may already be falling behind. 

Jennifer and Nicole unpack:

•  Why self-purchased gift cards are exploding in popularity 
•  The rise of branded currency and embedded rewards 
•  How fintechs and loyalty platforms power seamless reward experiences behind the scenes 
•  Why choice, flexibility, and frictionless experiences drive engagement 
•  The role mobile wallets will play in the future of rewards 
•  How brands can use gift cards for acquisition, retention, employee recognition, and customer engagement 
•  Why the next generation of consumers thinks about money differently 
•  What businesses should do today to modernize their rewards strategy 

Whether you're a loyalty professional, fintech leader, marketer, retailer, or simply someone looking to stretch your money further, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the future of rewards and why gift cards may be one of the most underestimated tools in modern commerce.

The consumer shift has already happened. The question is whether brands are ready to catch up.