Independent integrated marketing and communications agency Bastion has partnered with digital risk and online reputation management platform Social Protect to launch a new solution designed to make creator-led marketing safer, more sustainable and more effective for brands and talent alike.
The new partnership responds to growing industry concerns around brand safety, toxic comment environments, reputational risk and creator burnout as investment in influencer and creator marketing continues to surge.
Combining Bastion’s strategic communications and marketing expertise with Social Protect’s real-time moderation technology, the offering enables brands to proactively manage reputational risk while improving audience engagement, supporting creator wellbeing and delivering a safer, more effective approach to modern marketing.
Social Protect’s platform automatically removes harmful content in real time, helping brands and creators to foster healthier online communities and reduce exposure to damaging interactions.
Richard Chapman, managing director, Bastion Communications, said the partnership addresses a critical gap in the market.
“Creator and influencer marketing is now central to how brands connect with audiences – but the environments those campaigns operate in are often unregulated and high-risk,” said Chapman.
“This new partnership between Bastion and Social Protect ensures brands can unlock the full value of creator-led storytelling while protecting reputation, performance and the people at the centre of it,” he added.
The announcement comes amid rising scrutiny around online harm, brand association with toxic commentary and the increasing mental health pressured facing talent.
Shane Britten, founder, Social Protect, said the technology brings a critical new layer of protection into the marketing ecosystem.
“We’re seeing first-hand the impact that harmful online environments are having on athletes, creators and public figures,” said Britten.
“Social Protect provides real-time protection removing abuse before it escalates, helping protect mental wellbeing, strengthen communities and create safer digital spaces for brands and talent,” he added.
Britten highlighted the joint offering delivers clear value for both brands and talent.
For brands, it ensures safer, more positive environments across creator campaigns, strengthens reputation management, improves engagement outcomes and reduces the risk of PR crises.
For creators, it provides real-time protection from abuse, supports mental wellbeing and enables stronger, more engaged communities.
Social Protect is already working with leading sporting organisations across Australia, including Rugby Australia, Basketball Australia, multiple NRL teams, Football Queensland, Rowing Australia, Swimming Australia as well as multiple sports across the US and Europe – demonstrating the growing demand for proactive digital protection.
