Published by Sue Johns-Chapman
Published Date 18.12.2024 
At Blank Theory, our client’s most ambitious goals become the benchmark we use to measure success. It’s been both humbling and validating to have this hard work recognised by our industry peers at the APAC Search Awards.
We’re beyond thrilled to announce that we’ve swept an impressive four nominations at this year’s awards, including:
- Best Use of Search – Automotive
- Best PPC Campaign
- Best Use of Social Media in a Search Campaign
- Best Use of Data (PPC)
Our Client Wondered: Is There Really No Such Thing as Bad Publicity?
Among our nominated work, our partnership with Machter Auto stands out as a testament to the power of holistic digital marketing strategies. Despite being an established Australian automotive parts retailer since 2002, Machter Auto faced a significant challenge: a public perception that didn’t align with their premium product quality.
“Working with Machter has been an absolute pleasure,” shares Ekta, our Account Director. “Their openness to ideas and willingness to explore new strategies made every interaction both productive and inspiring. They value thoughtful discussions and bring great energy to the table, which fosters a truly collaborative environment.”
The challenge was clear: we needed to overhaul Machter Auto’s brand identity and establish them as a well-regarded, high-quality retailer, thereby increasing quarterly revenue by 33%. What makes this campaign particularly special is how we achieved these results in just five months — rather than the projected 12-month timeline.
The Power of Visual Storytelling
As a leading Melbourne-based digital marketing agency, paid social, Google Ads and SEO are integral to our work. But we’re also proud to enrich our campaigns with stunning video and content writing, in order to build real engagement and value for our clients. With this in mind, our approach for Machter Auto centred on high-quality video content that would reshape brand perception.
Josh, our Videographer, explains the creative strategy: “We aimed to create an engaging series of lifestyle videos that could effectively and efficiently deliver Machter’s strong USPs. As our main focus was to convey Machter as a trusted brand, the creative team decided to drift away from the messaging of parts-first, and become people-first.”
This shift in messaging strategy proved transformative. The new video campaign showcased real-world customer experiences, highlighting the frustrations of using inferior products and contrasting them with the satisfaction of choosing Machter Auto. The results were remarkable:
- Social Media ROAS skyrocketed from 14.84x to 27.11x quarter on quarter
- Overall website revenue increased by 33.4% per quarter
- Click-through rates improved by 78%, jumping from 0.58% to 1.03%
“With the support of the wider Blank Theory team and the creative freedom that Machter allowed us — I couldn’t be happier with the results we were able to achieve for the brand,” Josh reflects.
We Win As One
Collaboration consistently drives Blank Theory’s success. “Being shortlisted in multiple categories for the APAC Search Awards is a testament to Blank Theory’s exceptional team” says Sam, our Agency Director. “Our experts continuously deliver outstanding results through their dedication and collaborative spirit. This recognition highlights our commitment to excellence and our passion for driving success for our clients.”
Of course, the metrics for this campaign were impressive — but what really set Blank Theory’s work for Machter Auto apart was the holistic approach to brand transformation. At no point did this campaign require a boosted media spend. Instead, we focused on creating content that resonated with the target audience, to build trust with 4×4 enthusiasts and DIY car owners. In the background, we also optimised website UX to improve navigation and utilised retargeting ads to re-engage website visitors from all other sources. No stone was left unturned.
It All Starts with a Blank Canvas
For our team, these nominations are both a celebration of past achievements and motivation for future innovations. They remind us that when creativity meets strategy, supported by data and executed with precision, transformative results are possible.
