Evoke Media celebrates 20th anniversary
Perth out of home independent company Evoke Media celebrates a significant milestone today with their 20th Anniversary. Campaign Brief spoke to Elaine and Zane Barry on some of their highlights.
After 4 years focusing on building the media product VenuAds, under the banner of IndoorAds it was a conscious decision in 2002 for Elaine (above middle) and Zane Barry (above left) to creative Evoke Media. The duo saw that they were on the cusp of exciting times in the ever evolving advertising industry and poised to expand our media portfolio.
“Growth is a major part of any business and Evoke Media has certainly been fortunate in this area,” said Elaine. “We have evolved from humble beginnings namely, VenuAds to now offer over 35 core media products in our portfolio with the ability to reach a myriad of demographics at minimal cost.”
Zane Barry said every year Evoke Media has continued to expand their networks for all media products in both metro and regional Western Australia.
“Likewise, every year we have grown our product offering, in fact over the past 20 years we have implemented over 20 Static Media formats, 7 Mobile Media formats, 4 Digital Formats and countless Experiential activations/special builds,” said Zane.
Whilst there have been many changes and additions to Evoke Media two things have remaind constant Elaine and Zane Barry. Evoke Media has grown from their joint passion for the industry.
Elaine said: “As such it forms a major part of our lives, indeed I am sure many of you will have met our daughters Airlie and Indigo, heard our dogs (and at one point possibly chickens) whilst on the phone to us. It is a unique and as I like to call it ‘organic’ environment and set up at Evoke Media but one that allows us to respond to the needs of the Client whilst being able to balance our family life – our two greatest passions.”
“We constantly strived to ensure that our environmental impact is as low as possible and so have always looked to off-set our carbon footprint. In 2019 we expanded on this ethos when we built our new warehouse in Shenton Park ensuring that it is totally off grid with solar and wind power, even the toilet is a special (& horrendously expensive) biogas unit which turns ‘deposits’ in to compost and the gas by-product is funnelled back in to the office to run the kettle!
“It is imperative to Zane and I that all our products are constantly maintained, updated and presented in optimum condition. To that effect we have been extremely lucky to have had a number of fantastic people be part of the Evoke Family, The Wonderful Dale, Megan, Nevada, Luke, Braydon, Michelle, Des and our parents to name a few. These people have supported us tremendously, allowed us to evolve and assisted us in continuing to maintain a professional standard.”
The company has also given back to the industry. For over 15 years Evoke Media was honoured to be a major sponsor of The Oasis Ball and subsequently the charity it supports.
They have also got the industry together often to have fun. From their infamous SmartAd launch at Metro City, which due to a Bikie gang stabbing a few weeks before, saw the Police Commissioner revoke Metro City’s liquor license that afternoon, it was probably the only alcohol free media event in history.
“We have had beach parties with steel pan bands that we’ve flown in from Queensland,” said Zane. “Strippers with the Evoke logo body painted on their bottoms (EV – KE on each butt cheek!) for a Hens night themed event. Dressed as Bond girls in fat suits for another event. Sunset flights over the city. Mustard spiked trick or treats. Christmas in July complete with Christmas buffet in an inflatable ice tent which kept deflating due to power over load and Oktoberfest with authentic German dancers and cow bell musicians. Our personal favourite was the breakfasts we had with the elephants at Perth Zoo.”
In 2016 Evoke had a Bollywood themed event complete with Bollywood dancers, camels, snake charmers, fire performers, fortune teller and life size elephant and the whole team then performing a Bollywood dance performance
Elaine and Zane say the advertising industry has changed significantly over the past 20 years. But what does remain constant in their view is the need and desire to get the competitive edge, reach the the target audience, follow social trends, all whilst streaming/reducing the budget, triply justifying the spend and concisely reporting on the results.
“We are proud of the relationships and opportunities that have been presented to us by Clients as well as being extremely grateful for the confidence many have shown in encompassing us in the initial planning process to grow and develop new media to target specific Client campaign needs,” said Elaine.
“We are truly thankful to everyone in the WA Advertising Industry for all their amazing support, for the wicked campaigns we have had the pleasure of working on. We consider a great many of them to be friends and look forward to continuing to forge these and new friendships over the coming years.”
2 Comments
Congrats Lainey and Zane (and the whole Evoke family) on 20 massive years in this industry. You are so worthy of every bit of praise that go your way. You are all so incredibly awesome and oh so humble. Cheers to the next 20 years and beyond xx
Always great to have fantastic suppliers like Evoke, that not only do a fantastic job but keep the fun in the advertising industry. Congrats Elaine & Zane!