Optus will kick off its small to medium business (SMB) focus with a partnership with one of Australia’s most successful Olympians, Ian Thorpe. The first stage of the partnership will see Thorpe front an Optus SMB campaign, which rewards four small business owners with a trip to the Rio Olympic Games.

Optus has an agency village which sees different agencies work together on it campaigns. With Collective, Thrive PR + Communications, UM and Amobee worked on this series of ads.

Rob Parcell, managing director of Optus Small Business said Thorpe is the perfect choice to demonstrate Optus’ commitment to SMB. “With five gold medals under his belt, Ian knows the hard work that’s required to build and achieve success.  These are sacrifices Australia’s small-business owners also know all too well – the early starts, long hours and lost time with loved ones.

“Ian’s SMB involvement is the first stage of a whole of business ambassador program with Optus and we’re proud to have him on board.”

Thorpe said, “As a former athlete, I’m excited to partner with the team at Optus as they work to deliver game-changing experiences for their customers. I’m especially looking forward to forging a strong relationship with Optus as it delivers more sports and entertainment content.”

Check out the ad:

Plus the mockumentary ad:

Optus has announced it will refocus attention on delivering tailored solutions for Australia’s two million plus SMB owners, supported by 126 new small business specialist stores, a dedicated Adelaide-based SMB call centre team, in addition to 26 existing business centres.

Mark Wahlberg Also Becomes An Optus Ambassador:

Parcell also announced Optus had linked with renowned actor/producer and co-founder of US burger chain Wahlburgers, Mark Wahlberg. “We are working with Mark on a campaign that encourages small business operators to believe big.

“Mark absolutely epitomises what it is to believe big because he has done it. He grew up in working class Boston with plenty of hurdles but through hard work, had the courage to believe big and make things possible.”

Parcell said there is a strong correlation between Mark’s story and many business owners in Australia. “No business starts to be small so we’re encouraging our customers to also believe big. We’re showing them that they can rely us for the premium level of support they need to turn their big ideas into a reality”.