The chance to digitise

By Meg Hill

The world has become increasingly digitised due to COVID-19 and a need to upgrade and enhance digital capabilities has become more important.

The City of Melbourne launched an economic support package for city businesses in March, offering $5.5 million in grants for small- to- medium sized businesses and not-for-profit organisations to invest in online and e-commerce capabilities.

One recipient, the Committee for Melbourne (the Committee) – a not-for-profit based in the CBD, was able to collaborate with city-based agencies Design by Wolf and Efront to totally revamp its online presence.

The Committee was able to create a platform that can utilise and showcase its digital collaboration, connect with member organisations through e-networking and showcase their events on demand. 

The Committee’s CEO, Martine Letts, said the website needed to reflect not only the Committee’s work, but also encompass the personality and brand of Greater Melbourne.

“Committee for Melbourne is proud to have collaborated with local Melbourne suppliers, Design by Wolf and E-front to launch our new website during COVID-19,” Ms Letts said.

“The City of Melbourne grant gave us the opportunity to innovate and embrace the growing digitisation of our society and economy.” 

“Committee for Melbourne’s Competitive Internet Taskforce is addressing Melbourne’s digital capability and how we can ensure that Melbourne remains a technologically advanced and competitive city.” 

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the council’s business grants had provided $5.5 million in financial support for local businesses to invest in online and e-commerce capabilities. 

“We are pleased to be able to support businesses and organisations like Committee for Melbourne invest in changes to keep their services running and people employed,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The overwhelming response that we had to the grants goes to show that even in tough times, our local businesses and organisations are ready to tackle challenges head on, think differently and adapt.”

“The grants have now been fully allocated with 1266 small- and medium-sized businesses sharing in $5.5 million in funding.”

“Importantly, local businesses that received these grants can now offer new online services and business changes to better serve their customers and clients.”

Efront is a digital agency located in the quirky green Melbourne laneway of Guildford Lane and has done the heavy lifting on the digital needs for Melbourne groups like Open House, Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne International Jazz Festival and of course Committee for Melbourne.   

Efront director Paul Borella said the city collaboration generated a sense of pride.

“Working with these groups generates a real sense of pride for the whole team who love nothing more than getting involved and sharing their fantastic work and initiatives” she said.

Design by Wolf worked on the design side of the project. Director Richard Campbell said it was a privilege.

“We are thrilled with the website that we have achieved together with Efront and the Committee for Melbourne. It has been a privilege to work with such great people and to provide a website that is truly representative of a company that strives to shape a better future for Melbourne,” he said.

“We couldn’t be happier with the final outcome and look forward to see the website evolving further into the future with the Committee’s new initiatives.” •

melbourne.org.au