Enriching communities in a time of disruption

Feb 24, 2021|By atomix
Read time: 5 mins

Bringing people together again. Our 2020 in review.

As the world has come to terms with the Covid-19 pandemic, our experience of connectivity has experienced a transformation.

Once the degree of disruption and uncertainty of 2020 became more profound, we saw governments activate public health initiatives and social support networks, such as Australia’s JobKeeper and Jobseeker programs. Outside of the public sector, many other organisations and groups shifted their focus to the fundamentals: for many, this meant providing support to  their communities and as the crisis evolved, facilitating connection between employees, friends and all manner of stakeholders and networks.  

The pandemic has increased our digital reliance. This has required many of us to adapt to new ways of interacting, organising our lives and doing business. Providers of the Zoom video conferencing platform have seen logarithmic growth curves in almost every customer market and collaboration tools like Mural and Slack are spurring innovation in corporations and communities the world over.

Organisations that have invested and continue to invest in improved digital user experience through the uncertainty of Covid-19 will continue to realise the benefits of this strategy for many years.

This is the first in a three-part blog series that explores how human-centred digital connected people through a most extraordinary year.

Sydney Swans: changing the game for footy fans

It’s overwhelming to think about how much has changed when it comes to our favourite sporting competitions. Even when teams have been fortunate enough to play contact sports like Australian rules football, game day atmosphere has been, well, underwhelming.

Sydney swans website homepage

With one of the greatest fan followings in Australia, the Sydney Swans needed a reimagined website for their members, and they needed it fast! It was critical we delivered experiences that kept people connected to their team – and to one another. A significant brand identity refresh for the Swans required creative interpretation for the membership community’s digital home.

In less than four months, we designed a fast-loading rebranded website for the club with attractive dynamic graphics featuring star players. Video, membership comparison features and a team-to-fan chat function encouraged connection.

We are happy to say that – just like on game day – the scoreboard doesn’t lie: the new site increased page views by 163%, boosted session durations by 36% and the club has managed to retain a healthy membership base through the strangest season in the history of the AFL.

  • Atomix teamwork delivered: user experience (UX) strategy, interactive design, SEO, and dynamic filtering functionality.

A faster, fun experience for fans: read our case study

Box Rallies: a fundraising drive with a difference

We are so proud of our long-term partnership with Box Rallies, the high-octane fundraising powerhouse for Australia’s Cancer Council. Together we’ve launched three staple car rallies – Mystery Box, Shitbox Autumn and Shitbox Spring, raising millions of dollars for life-saving medical research.

Cancer cruise website homepage

Anyone whose life has been touched by cancer knows that health is one of the most valuable things on earth. When the world became gripped in a global virus pandemic, it was vital that we took care of Box Rallies’ predicament as creatively as possible.

Strict government restrictions meant that teams were no longer able to participate in the offbeat car rallies that distinguish this charity. This dramatically threatened fundraising efforts. We worked closely with Box Rallies to get through the challenging period for its existing events and helped launch an entirely new event – Cancer Cruise

This innovation featured smaller, COVID-safe single-day drives with the opportunity for fundraising teams to create their own routes and fundraising pages.

Once we crossed the line for the 2020 round of fundraising, we were delighted to see that over $2 million was raised for cancer research from some 4000 monthly site visitors.

  • Atomix drove fundraising with: bespoke fundraising pages and email marketing.

Rallying to the rescue: sponsor a team on the Cancer Cruise

SA Tourism Commission: who says tourists don’t tip?

Tig jar

Nobody has heard more from the family businesses, not-for-profit organisations and cultural institutions about the crisis in tourism than the South Australian Tourism Commission. With no international travellers and spasmodic border closures, armchair tourism became one of the only options for Australian operators. But while the recovery picks up pace, how can e-tourism help pay the bills?

At a time when operators needed it most, we found a way. Atomix integrated a Virtual Tip Jar into SATV, the commission’s online content platform. The SATC built a content library so that anyone could #SeeSouthAustraliaFromHome. Now as digital visitors watch live videos or settle into more relaxed pre-recorded tours, they are encouraged to show their appreciation with a simple click, tipping anything from $2 to $50 directly to the tourism operator.

  • Atomix made a virtue of the virtual with: rapid prototyping and design, custom web development and Google and Apple payment integrations for speedy transactions.

Care to show the love to your favourite tourism operators? See the tip jar in action.

Orangutan Trekking Tours: bringing the jungle to the tribe

Sporting events are one thing, but there are few sectors worse affected by Covid-19 than tourism. atomix has long had an association with the jungles of Borneo and their most well-known inhabitants (and yes, this goes beyond our studio greenery). Once it was clear that nobody would be booking through 2020 with Orangutan Trekking Tours, this conservation organisation decided to engage the world at home with a reinvigorated social presence.

Orangutan Trekking Tours website homepage

The atomix growth team collaborated with previous tour participants to build an engaged Instagram following with user-generated content, video, Instagram stories and community management. This organic approach doubled the engagement rate for the account and increased impressions by 161%. 

Uncovering new ways to interact with audiences has been pivotal in 2020, as social platforms continue to introduce new features such as IGTV and greater story functionality. atomix will continue to innovate for our clients as they seek to engage people in what they love, even if they can’t chart a path through the jungle to get there.

  • Atomix grew the tribe with: digital strategy, content creation, community management, publishing calendar and social media reporting and insights.

Jump into the jungle: engage on Instagram

Let us enrich your community

The whole team at atomix is committed to making a difference by delivering outcomes that matter. We have been right alongside some of the most inspiring leaders in communities sharing their love of everything from Aussie Rules football and orangutans, to those raising funds to help people doing it tough.

Whatever is on your mind, when it comes to people and digital working well together, we’ll find a way to make this a reality for you. Why not get in touch today? Email us at hello@atomix.com.au to get started.

Client website homepages

Ready to explore what’s possible in 2022?

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