The SME100 will
provide 100 businesses with £10K TV advertising campaigns via AdSmart to
support them during the pandemic
As the coronavirus lockdown continues, SMEs across the UK are struggling to stay afloat and keep thier operations running smoothly. Now, Sky is lending a helping hand to local businesses who need it the most. Sky Media, the advertising sales arm of Sky, has announced a £1 million scheme to help support SMEs across the UK thrive despite the coronavirus lockdown. The new scheme called the SME 100 will provide 100a businesses with a £10K TV advertising campaign via AdSmart, so they can benefit from added exposure and help their business during this difficult time.
The SME100 is open to businesses who have up to 50 full-time employees and have been operating for at least one year in the UK. Businesses can nominate themselves or be put forward by their own customers. The scheme hopes to provide leverage to local businesses who would benefit tremendously from the power of TV advertising during a time when TV consumption has increased, as thousands remain at home during the coronavirus lockdown. Using geo-demographic targeting, AdSmart will enable brands to easily advertise on TV and deliver ads to people within their local areas, so they can reach audiences that truly matter to them. This revolutionary technology means a brand can reach households by postcode area, within a designated distance of their store, or by household make-up or lifestyle attributes that best suit their service. Businesses can now be assured that their advertising will be relevant, accessible and drive results.
Sky Media wants to reward all types of businesses, whether it be fitness centres providing online classes or flower delivery services, the SME100 will represent companies in various sectors and industries. Shutterstock will work closely with local creative agencies who will provide businesses with complimentary access to high-quality images, video and music so they can create engaging advertisements and tell their stories in a compelling way. The collaboration between SME100 and Shutterstock will enable local creative agencies to produce broadcast-ready, 30-second ads remotely and cost-effectively, bringing further investment into local and smaller creative industries.
“Businesses up and down the country are facing some of the hardest trading conditions in recent memory,” David Sanderson, Director of AdSmart Local & Development at Sky Media said. “We want to help our nation’s SMEs where possible by giving access to highly relevant audiences via AdSmart totally for free. SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy, making up 99.9% of all business in the UK. We know that although there are economic slowdowns, people are still spending money and we want to help brands connect to these audiences. This initiative is about giving businesses confidence in advertising and their ability to succeed no matter the situation.”
UK’s Small Business Minister, Paul Scully said: “This Government is fully committed to supporting SMEs through this challenging time, with £12.3 billion in grants and 100% government-guaranteed loans of up to £50,000 through our Bounce Back Loans scheme. However, we all have a role to play in the national response to COVID-19, so I welcome Sky’s announcement today, releasing a £1 million AdSmart fund to provide SMEs with free TV advertising campaigns.”
Businesses who apply for the scheme must also be new to TV or haven’t been on the air in 12 months. With this new initiative, local businesses will now have the chance to boost up their marketing and get the exposure they need during this troubling time.
