Marcus Thyer’s start-up ethical ad business Spark Cycles kicks off crowdfunding campaign

Travellers or locals will soon be able to rent a custom built, super cool, retro-styled electric bike to explore our beautiful world. The bikes are ‘moving’ billboards onto which they sell advertising space to brands. If riders post a picture on their social media platforms and the advertising branding is visible – they will get half their rent back on return of the bike.

Spark Cycles is the beloved brainchild of founder Marcus Thyer, a long time advertising master-retoucher, with campaigns for a slew of major international brands under his recycled bike inner tube belt (yes, it’s a thing). His passionate advocacy for environmental issues and sustainability, and a rabid love of vintage cars and bikes, led him down another path.. and it was electric. The result was a social cross-media advertising platform, utilising sustainable energy and cool custom design.

The Spark Cycles crowd funding campaign has just kicked off. They aim to raise $150,000 in 60 days to open their first full Sydney City depot, and then begin the roll-out of Spark Cycles across Australia.. and the world. Become a Spark backer here.

Each personalised Spark cycle has its own GPS tracker, so you can see its journey on our website in real time. Where is PeeWee riding today? What shenanigans is Gary getting up to? Is Goldie showing her rider a good time this afternoon?

Sydney creative agency Yolo used his 4 bikes in an online video for a client launching a ‘selfie drone’ called ROAM-e.

At Spark Cycles, the mantra is ‘EVERYBODY WINS’.

The brands WIN:

• they get outdoor coverage off the road in parks and bike paths in beautiful touristy locations.

• they get their branding on a one-of hand crafted bike, which gets plenty of attention.

• they get social media coverage on a local, national and global scale.

• they are able to leverage a cool brand

• they get their brand in front of interested eyeballs in a cool, non intrusive ‘hey, did you see that?! way

• they get ROI in the form of data collected on posts.

• they get awesome content for their own social media.

• they get to interact with potential customers.

The bike renters WIN –

• they hire the bikes knowing that they are an environmentally friendly mode of transport.

• they get to cruise the streets on some beautifully designed electric bikes.

• they get a mobile phone with data and 1/2 their rent back if they post to social media.

The environment WINS –

• less people on polluting forms of transport.

• the conversation around environmentally sound transportation is delivered in a unique way.

• the batteries on the bikes are charged by 100% renewable energy.

• Spark Cycles will have a focus on brands making a positive change.

• their depot fit-outs will re-use, re-purpose and use recycled materials.

The local community WINS –

• employing locals who know the area well

• a diverse and equal opportunity employer

Says Thyer: “Good advertising is about good stories; brands get to go on a unique adventure with a unique rider on a unique ebike that will also have its online story told on its own social media. Needless to say, it’s a designer-greenie’s Christmas every day.”

Media enquiries contact Mieke Buchan on 0408 917 758 or randomonium.media@gmail.com

All other enquiries contact Marcus Thyer on 0414 242 879 or marcus@sparkcycles.com