Trade Me has launched a one-million-dollar advertising fund to help small businesses affected by COVID-19.
The $1 million fund will allow businesses accepted for the fund to advertise on Trade Me's website. The offer comes days after the company announced it would be cutting wage costs by around 20 percent, as the way businesses used its services had changed due to the pandemic.
Trade Me head of audience, Ivan Fuyala said that over the last 21 years, Kiwi businesses were able to reach a huge audience through its online platform, allowing them to grow. The company had experienced a significant drop in ad revenue, but still had a lot of users on site.
“Like many Kiwi businesses, Trade Me has been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, however we’re in a position to help, we have available ad inventory and want to give back to other Kiwi businesses,” Fuyala said.
The opportunity to advertise free of charge is available to up to 40 small Kiwi businesses who have used the Trade Me website in the last 12 months, either by running a classified listing or for business advertising.
“Over 1.5 million Kiwis visit Trade Me each day from a range of devices and we know that small businesses could really benefit from our audience at this time.
“We hope this will help these businesses reach new and existing customers, and get back on their feet after what has been a very difficult time,” Fuyala added.
Small businesses with up to 20 employees can apply for the advertising fund by completing a form, available on Trade Me's website.
Applicants chosen for a share of the advertising package will be notified by June 5 and will have three months to use the advertising space.
