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AUCKLAND, Today: Social media agency Socialites has been selected to transform hundreds of tourism operators’ social media strategies for Qualmark’s new support initiative.

As part of the government’s $20 million digital capability funding, Qualmark received $5 million to boost digital capability in the tourism sector through digital enablement programmes.

Co-ceo Melanie Spencer confirmed there’d been an RFP process. “Anyone could throw their hat in the ring – but we were specifically invited to respond,” she told M+AD.

“Companies were approached to pitch for different facets of the marketing mix. Socialites won the opportunity to lead training, create strategies and support operators with social media marketing.”

Socialites is headed by Spencer and Wendy Thompson who have extensive digital marketing backgrounds and say they are excited to help New Zealand businesses pivot and adapt in the Covid-era market.


“Anyone could throw their hat in the ring – but Socialites was specifically invited to respond.”

Wendy Thompson said: “This is an insightful and practical initiative by the government and Qualmark as it gives tourism operators real, practical and immediate help for both the short and long-term.

“Our team at Socialites is going to set these operators up with tools and education to find and connect with their communities both domestically and overseas, amplifying their visibility and building relationships now so that they will be able to maximise the domestic market and when international travel starts again they’ll be ready.

“We will help them turn dreamers and planners into buyers.

“Since Covid-19 Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp have seen a 70% increase in time spent on their apps. There’s been a 21% increase in Instagram Story impressions, with individual users seeing their screen time increase between 30-50%.

About Socialites Group
Socialites is a full-service social media marketing agency with a head office in Auckland and working on campaigns around the world. Socialites was awarded the 2018 Australasian Social Media Agency of the Year. Current clients include New World, Unicef, Microsoft (APAC), and Fisher & Paykel. Socialites was founded in 2010.


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