Stay Local, Shop Local: A Partnership between Dorset Council and the Dorset Echo
Thousands of pounds of free advertising for the business community is being made available in a dynamic new partnership between the Dorset Echo and Dorset Council.
The campaign is called ‘Stay Local, Shop Local’ and aims to promote, support and revitalise the economy on Dorset’s high streets in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
We are working on a series of posters and images for businesses to utilise, further signage for the high streets, and details on our website about how to safely operate as the high streets reopen. We are also investing in marketing and promotional opportunities for local businesses.
Dorset Council is working hard to support local businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, so we are delighted to partner with the Dorset Echo to offer local businesses in the Dorset Council area with a great marketing opportunity, worth thousands of pounds.
The offer
Dorset Council will pay 75% of the value of this offer, with the 10 businesses in each category paying the remaining 25%. We have outlined the cost to the business with each package below. This is a huge saving on the original advertising prices, offering businesses in Dorset the chance to advertise in a trusted local newspaper with the chance to reach thousands of people.
The packages
Gold package
• 110,000 digital ads delivered at anyone of our news websites including bournemouthecho.co.uk, dorsetecho.co.uk, bridportnews.co.uk or the swanageandwarehamvoice.co.uk
• Facebook ads that compliment the digital display creatives
• One front page ad or ¼ page in the front half of the paper alongside news
• 24 classified ads (50mm deep x 87mm wide)
• Permanent online listing
Worth £960, cost to selected businesses: £125
Silver package
• 3,000 multi format digital ads delivered at anyone of our news websites including bournemouthecho.co.uk, dorsetecho.co.uk, bridportnews.co.uk or the swanageandwarehamvoice.co.uk
• Two half page advertisements in anyone of the above titles
• Permanent online listing
Worth £467, cost to selected businesses: £97.25
Bronze package
• 5,000 targeted multi format digital ads delivered at anyone of our news websites including bournemouthecho.co.uk, dorsetecho.co.uk, bridportnews.co.uk or the swanageandwarehamvoice.co.uk
• 7,000 run of site digital ads delivered on one of the above news sites
• Facebook ad for 7 Days
• Permanent online listing
• 12 classified ads (50mm deep x 87mm wide)
Worth £280, cost to selected businesses, £58.50
“This underlines our commitment to supporting local businesses through this challenging time.”
Cllr Gary Suttle, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Skills, said: “Our message to residents is clear; staying local helps to limit the spread of COVID-19, and by shopping local we can support our valued, local high street shops. Dorset Council is working closely with town and parish councils, the BIDs and local businesses to ensure our high streets are safe and welcoming for shoppers. This offer with the Dorset Echo further underlines our commitment to supporting local businesses through this challenging time.”
Dorset Echo/LOCALiQ Sales Director, Tracy Hayden said: “It is hugely important for us to be able to use our trusted brands to help businesses get their message out in these incredibly tough times.”
She added: “Having a regular presence online is important as over 60% of online activity is now on a mobile device and we expect online purchasing to increase by 70% this year.
“This unprecedented package backed by Dorset Council has the full weight of our trusted editorial team behind it.”
What you need to know
All applications need to be made by midnight Tuesday 30 June. Advertising will appear throughout July and August. If you do not make the final selection, we have negotiated valuable. Please email cheryl.barrett@localiq.co.uk and quote Dorset Council offer with the package you are interested in applying for. The Echo will randomly select 10 businesses in each category fairly across Dorset. To qualify, you must be a business owner with premises in the Dorset Council area.
Good initiative but what about the market towns in North Dorset & the towns in East Dorset who also have business to promote and rebuild? Is anything on a similar line be worked on for them?
Hi Helen -businesses across the Dorset Council are welcome to apply! And if they aren’t one of the selected businesses they can still take advantage of negotiated low advertising rates if this is of interest. North and East is part of the Dorset Council area 🙂