Sky Launches £1m TV Ad Scheme to Boost SMEs During COVID-19 Crisis

Sky Launches £1m TV Ad Scheme to Boost SMEs During COVID-19 Crisis

SME100 is an advertising support scheme for small businesses, created by Sky Media. The £1 million fund will provide 100 businesses with television advertising campaigns via AdSmart to support them during the difficult times brought about by coronavirus (COVID-19).

Sky Media wants to reward businesses that are demonstrating true resolve and ingenuity, in particular those firms that need support during this time and would benefit from accessing the power of TV advertising at a moment when TV consumption has increased significantly.

SME100 is open to companies with fewer than 50 employees that have been running for at least one year in the UK. Businesses can nominate themselves or be put forward by their own customers.

Though the programme, Sky Media will gift a campaign value of £10,000 per business, comprised of TV advertising that uses geo-demographic targeting across 100+ AdSmart enabled channels. The maximum length of the TV advert is 30 seconds and the campaign duration will be one month.

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.’

Applications are now open via an online application form. The one-month campaigns must be completed on or before 31 July 2020.

More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.