Creative agency The Works and content marketing agency Daresay have launched an initiative, Van Jams, to help small businesses hit by COVID-19 and bushfires.
Experts from The Works and Daresay, part of RXP Group, will spend the next three months travelling to locations around New South Wales in The Works’ VW Combi van including regions impacted by the summer bushfires.
The teams will offer free consultations and practical advice to businesses on digital marketing, social media and branding.
Both COVID-19 and the bushfires had a devastating effect on small business and the economy with nearly 50% of Australia’s workforce employed by these businesses.
Van Jams were started 18 years ago by The Works founders who would set up shop in front of a client’s building in the morning and then spend the day coming up with brand strategy and creative ideas after being given a brief.
“We started the agency almost two decades ago by driving our van to the doorsteps of businesses to solve their marketing problems," The Works founder and creative partner Damian Pincus says.
"After seeing the devastating effect COVID and the fires has had on many small businesses we wanted to do something to support their recovery and what better way to do it than get back in our van and bring our teams’ expertise direct to where they work.”
The Works and Daresay are also launching a quantitative and qualitative research project to further understand how both sentiments and decision making has changed for small business as a result of COVID-19 and the fires.
In addition to the initial face to face consultations, The Works and Daresay will provide follow up services to the businesses with a Sponsor an SMB program, connecting them with marketing specialists from the wider teams at both agencies who will act as mentors.
“We’re encouraging small businesses to book an appointment online in advance and come prepared to talk through their challenges in exchange for straight-forward marketing advice they can implement to help them get back on their feet," Daresay managing partner Ruth Haffenden says.
"Meanwhile we hope the experience on the road and the primary research underway will enable us to get an unparalleled understanding of the small business audience and how they can best be supported moving forwards.”
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