The telco is providing over $6 million worth of marketing support free-of-charge for over a year.
Singapore telco StarHub marked 10 August as Small Business Day, a newly-minted, offers free digital marketing to support small businesses with fewer than 20 employees.
In a special initiative, StarHub is providing over $6 million worth of marketing support free-of-charge for over a year, to help owners drive sales and advertise their services to a wider, stay-at-home audience, the telco announced on August 10.
According to a media statement by the telco, StarHub’s support for owners of small businesses comprises creative online video production, advertisement airtime on StarHub TV, promotions through StarHub Rewards, and heavily discounted enterprise-grade mobile subscriptions.
“COVID-19 has been a challenge unlike any other, but we will overcome this, together. We may be distanced, but not apart. We would like to urge everyone to patronise heartland mom-and-pop stores whenever possible – visit your friendly neighbourhood hawker stallfor takeaway food;get fresh bakes for breakfast from the bakery downstairs; head over to the nearby barber shop or salon for a haircut. Support from the public is paramount; cheer them on as they weather these unprecedented times,” said Johan Buse, Chief, Consumer Business Group, StarHub.
Promos and discounts for small businesses
To kick off this annual initiative, StarHub said it has produced three short films centred around three longstanding small businesses – Bugis Street Chuen Chuen Chicken Rice, a 42-year-old family chicken rice business at Jalan Besar; Lucky Star Hair Dressing Salon, a third-generation barber shop located in Upper Bukit Timah; and Lian Hin Tailor, manned by 82-year-old veteran Cha Ah Kau, in Upper Serangoon. Featuring their day-to-day experiences, struggles during the pandemic and stories of hope, the short films are available now for viewing at www.starhub.com/smallbusinessday, and will be shared on StarHub’s social media channels over the coming week.
With the aim of rousing support and driving sales for these small businesses, StarHub is carrying these three video stories on StarHub TV with free media airtime, through StarHub’s social media pages, and amplified via out-of-home billboards at bus stops and HDB void decks. StarHub will also be listing these businesses as partners on the rewards page of the My StarHub app – offering instant, attractive promotions and benefits to StarHub customers. More details will be shared at a later date.
Every month, StarHub aims to provide support to 10 to 20 other small businesses, the company said in the statement. From 23 August, they can participate by registering their interest online at www.starhub.com/smallbusinessday. On 9 August 2022 – the eve of next year’s Small Business Day – StarHub will be sharing a consolidated list of small businesses which the company has supported, on the same webpage.
The telco is also offering small businesses access to an exclusive suite of mobile services at up to 30% off usual rates, to help them stay connected with their customers.