“As the nation went into lockdown it went online, businesses had to fight to stay afloat.”

Exeter-based online advertising business, Launch Online, has won two leading awards in as many months thanks to its work through the pandemic to support South West and UK tourism businesses.

Launch Online, which specialises in Google and social media advertising for companies looking to grow their online sales, was recognised for its work in supporting local and national tourism businesses specifically during lockdown to secure vital holiday bookings.

Launch Online won the award for Best Use of Search in the Travel and Leisure category at the UK Search Awards this week (November 24), which followed hot on the heels of being named European PPC Agency of the year (Pay Per Click) at the European Agency Awards in October.

Jaye Cowle, founder of Launch Online, said that online activity has skyrocketed this year and companies have had to fight hard to get seen and make sales on the major search engines, like Google, and through social media. 

“As the nation went into lockdown it went online, businesses had to fight to stay afloat, said Jaye. “This was especially the case for tourism businesses in the South West which rely on the summer season, Google is a tough place at the best of times!

“At the onset of the pandemic a huge number of travel and leisure organisations battened down the hatches fearing that the summer season was lost. Our advice to our clients was to keep marketing, mindful that it was just a moment in time and that UK staycation bookings would eventually return. This strategy made sure that companies like Aria Resorts were sold out through that vital summer holiday period.” 

Simon Pitman, marketing director at Aria Resorts, which has properties in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Yorkshire, Scotland and Isle of Wight, said that as consumers moved almost exclusively online during lockdown, their work with Launch Online became an even more vital part of the business as holiday bookings stopped almost overnight. 

Simon said, “at the start of the pandemic we could have gone one of two ways: pull back, or sail into the storm. We chose the latter. Having worked with Launch Online for a few years, we knew we were in expert hands. They delivered stunning results which - in the middle of May - seemed a long, long way away, it just shows what can be achieved if you work together. 

“The results from Launch Online have been nothing short of staggering - Launch has exceeded our already high targets, and helped us deliver record breaking results. These results were achieved during unprecedented times, but they are what the team strives to deliver every day.” 

Jaye said, “We will continue to support businesses during the latest lockdown and for the unsettled future we all face. But, what is clear, is that online will continue to be a key marketing channel for businesses now and into the future.”