Hottest new Aussie Design export MaraJoara now in the Swim with Bartercard

Only three weeks earlier, before the curtains finally opened on MaraJoara’s 2006/2007 Spring/Summer Swimwear Collection, the Designers at MaraJoara were starting to panic. After returning from their global export mission, an unread email in an inbox saw the team seeking funding for their entire 2006 Mercedes Australia Fashion Week sales and marketing campaign. Whilst Andre and Fernando were madly finishing garments in their Ipanema factory, Leesa and Hamish were pounding the pavements raising sponsorship funds, begging family and friends and lobbying radio and TV stations – but time was short and still the bank balance looked grim.

A conversation with Bartercard member Bronz Skin Body and Spirit gave them the idea. Bronz had renovated their entire salon in Manly last month through Bartercard. With Leesa and Hamish’s second business, a sales, marketing and management consultancy the concept seemed simple. Bionicaa Consulting Group was established and available to trade immediately. Couple this with a contribution of Bartercard dollars from Bartercard Northern beaches branch and Bartercard Head Office, MaraJoara were ready to put their sales and marketing plans to action. Steve Dare, Northern Beaches Bartercard Manager also came to the rescue personally calling on other Bartercard members to sponsor. Before the MaraJoara team knew it, Bartercard members were delivering their promotional materials on time and MaraJoara was ready for Fashion Week.

The hottest summer is yet to come in Australia and with everyone ready to update their wardrobe for their overseas Winter escapes, MaraJoara has impressed the buyers with the three new season trends - Nautica Sophistication, Carnivale Sassy and Dionysian Sinful. Photographs of their collection were sold by Reuters all over the world and orders have been placed already in many of their new target export markets.

Bartercard formalises the age-old concept of barter, facilitating a cashless exchange of goods and services between its Members using a currency known as Trade Dollars ($T1=AUD$1). As a result of trading, new sales are generated and cash is conserved in the business, leading to a reduction in the cost of borrowing and a healthier bottom line.

MaraJoara was able to use the trade dollars to cover the costs of printing brochures, marketing materials, buying chocolates and printing CD’s for promotion – even spray tanning the models.

“The depth of services offered by Bartercard in our area was overwhelming,” said Leesa Fogarty. I must admit it appears that joining Bartercard was the best thing we have ever done. For our Consulting business we will now generate more customers and add value back into the Bartercard network and we can continue to invest in MaraJoara as we ramp up our export business.

It appears that the team at MaraJoara were so thankful to the value that Bartercard, and its members who delivered to assist them in making it to MAFW that they not only cobranded their expo stand throughout fashion week and promoted its sponsors, they had their two inhouse models, Michela and Mickson, walking the fashion halls of Circular Quay asking other fashionistas to “love me, adore me, taste me”(their 2006 MaraJoara Summer Campaign) – and passing on flyers to share the value of Bartercard. Sponsors included Bronz Skin Body and Spirit, Sydney Boat Hire, BA Print, MediaMovers, Fathom Diving and Quality Laundromats.

“Building a sound foundation for your business for the long term is about building mutually beneficial partnerships. This includes every facet of your business, your employees, your consumers, your vendors and of course, your customers,” Leesa states. Bionicaa Consulting Group becoming a member of Bartercard definitely lives those values. Bionicaa are proud to partner their global brand “MaraJoara”
with Bartercard”

About MaraJoara

For the Designers of MaraJoara, it is a dream comes true. Launching their first season in Australia through an exclusive partnership in 2005 with Fashion Giant Sportsgirl MaraJoara designed and branded 6 Exclusives that were sold nationally as part of the “Girl from Ipanema’ campaign. This year the allure and passion of Brazil meets the style and energy of Manly beach, Sydney, Australia, combining to bring you the latest in essential beachwear with inspiration from aboriginal culture and the ancient MaraJo tribe. Prints are bold and graphic, whilst attention to detail lies in the individual embellishment of intricate beads, sequins and jewels and its exclusivity. Each bikini reflects a passion for beautiful design and great quality.

Whilst most designers sell to whomever will stock them, MaraJoara will be sold only through retailers capable of delivering the desired customer experience across the globe. MaraJoara launch their exclusive 24/7 boutique online next month.

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About Bartercard

Bartercard is a true Australian business success story. The enterprise began with a single office on the Gold Coast in 1991. Today, Bartercard operates in 17 countries throughout the world: Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus and Qatar.

This international network makes Bartercard the world’s number one Trade Exchange, internationally recognised as an innovative leader of systems, training and marketing in the barter and trade exchange industry.

Earlier this year, Bartercard reached another landmark achievement, publicly listing on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternate Investment Market (AIM).

For further information:


Ross Rosenblum
Mike Dean
Bartercard
+61 2 9972 4322