About Honeycomb Agency

Honeycomb Agency is a creative and innovative promotional marketing agency, combining a wealth of experience in events and branded merchandise with tailored services to further alleviate the challenges and pain points of their busy clients. As a promotional marketing agency, Honeycomb specialises in creative merchandise programs and lead generating event experiences. They are a small business, but their outstanding customer service and retention has earned them outstanding reviews and referrals. This has seen them working with clients ranging from SMEs to big banks and ASX listed companies.

The significant impact of COVID on the events & promotional product industries

Honeycomb was on site at a national roadshow delivering activation’s for clients when concerns for public gatherings grew. Quickly thereafter, event exhibitors began to pull out. Despite being prior to any government-enforced restrictions, the next 24 hours saw Honeycomb lose a huge number of event merchandise orders, event activation experiences and management jobs. According to the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) the Australian economy will lose $35.7 billion in the first 12 months of COVID-19 due to the significant impact on the business events sector.

The promotional merchandise arm of the business was also greatly impacted. This is because the primary reason for clients ordering promotional items is to distribute these from exhibition stands or in event settings. There was a sense of urgency for Honeycomb to find new ways to make merchandise work for clients. And to support them in finding ways to keep connections strong with both their remote workers and their customers.

Honeycomb’s pivots and continued commitment to clients

As a small and nimble business, Honeycomb was able to quickly change direction and began tailoring care packs for clients. Each pack has followed a theme or message to their staff, adding in fun and personalised products where possible. The response to the personalised items (i.e. journals, coasters, drinkware, etc) was particularly positive. This has demonstrated the importance of making individuals feel valued during this challenging time. They then expanded on this service by offering webinar packs.  This was a new take on delegate bags at events, and these packs are sent to residential addresses.  Registered online attendees receive the packs ahead of the virtual event, and enjoy at home to enrich the overall experience.

Their newest venture has been to stock and sell face masks, in response to the growing demand from  individuals and businesses. They have created an online store for their plain black masks and another custom branded masks. Currently, they are turning around branded masks in one week from artwork approval (for businesses wanting branded masks or vibrant, creative promotional designs). Thanks to Honeycombs’s knowledge and expertise with promotional merchandise, they are able to source very high quality masks.

Benefits of technology for business changes

Honeycomb have adapted in recent months to make new products and services that fit with their clients’ needs. This has meant they are more reliant than ever on software to alleviate further stress. Thanks to B2Bpay, selling directly to end users has been a breeze, with payments secure, straight forward and user friendly. In July, Honeycomb integrated B2Bpay with Quickbooks, so they can now also benefit from a ‘Pay Now’ link on their invoices. Honeycomb also earns Qantas Points on every eligible payment received via B2Bpay. They are working hard to keep their business going, so it’s a great bonus to know that using this time and admin-saving software is earning Qantas Points to enjoy down the track.

The next challenge for Honeycomb’s clients is how to reinvent their Christmas/end of year celebrations in this very different social environment. Fortunately, Honeycomb is already ahead of the game, with more personalised gift options, pop-up party packs and more available. (For details, click here).

To talk about other packs, products or services, be sure to get in touch with Honeycomb on [email protected]!