AVA & Hybrid: a digital transformation with tangible impact
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We were facing a gigantic challenge. The webshop had just gone live and we immediately had to compete with major players. We really needed a partner who not only executes, but also thinks along with us and helps us grow.
Laurens Sanders, Former Director of Marketing & E-commerce at AVA
Challenge
When AVA decided to take the step into e-commerce, it faced a major challenge: how do you build a strong webshop that seamlessly connects to the existing physical stores?
Background
AVA is a well-known player in the retail sector, with a growing network of physical stores and a young but rapidly expanding webshop. Despite their late start in the digital era – the webshop went live only five years ago – AVA has quickly managed to position itself in the market. Laurens Sanders, who since his appointment has led digital marketing and e-commerce, inherited the collaboration with Hybrid Agency. What began as a necessary evaluation of all partners resulted in a fruitful partnership that endured.
The challenge
When AVA decided to take the step into e-commerce, it faced a major challenge: how do you build a strong webshop that seamlessly connects to the existing physical stores? This required not only technological knowledge, but also a strategic omnichannel approach. AVA needed a partner that looked beyond traditional marketing, a partner that could think along and strengthen the internal team.
Why Hybrid Agency?
The choice to continue with Hybrid Agency did not come by chance. AVA had little prior experience with digital agencies, and Laurens saw something unique in Hybrid. Hybrid not only provides the expertise of an external agency but behaves like an extension of the internal team. This hybrid model, in which both strategy and execution are developed in collaboration with the client, was exactly what AVA needed.
“The difference with other agencies is that Hybrid doesn’t think in boxes. Everyone there has broad knowledge, from strategic lines to execution. They understand our goals and proactively help us achieve them,” says Laurens.
The most important aspect of the collaboration with Hybrid is their flexibility and proactive attitude. They not only participate in operational tasks but also contribute strategically. Where many agencies stick to a defined scope of work, Hybrid is always willing to go a step further.
“What I find so strong about Hybrid is that it doesn’t feel like an ‘us versus them’ story. It’s always a joint approach. They think along, jump in when needed, and go beyond what you would expect from a standard agency,” Laurens explains.
The collaboration
The collaboration with Hybrid is characterized by open communication and mutual trust. Hybrid not only sets up campaigns but also thinks along about the future. They proactively advise on optimizations and share their knowledge and insights with AVA’s internal team.
“What strikes me most is that Hybrid goes far beyond just executing campaigns. They look at the entire customer journey and help us on every possible front,” says Laurens.
In addition, Hybrid regularly offers training sessions, which AVA’s team also benefits from. These sessions ensure that the internal team is always up to date with the latest trends and techniques in digital marketing.
“They continuously share their knowledge with our team, and that makes a huge difference. Our people don’t feel threatened but rather supported,” Laurens says.
Results and impact
The results speak for themselves. Within just three years, AVA’s webshop has generated more than 10% of total revenue. “Our online revenue has now surpassed ten million euros, and we could never have achieved that so quickly without the collaboration with Hybrid,” says Laurens.
Hybrid’s proactive attitude has also helped AVA seize opportunities that would otherwise have gone unused. For example, Hybrid came up with the idea of performing keyword analyses for new product categories, allowing AVA to optimize its SEO strategy. These kinds of initiatives make the difference for AVA between an ordinary agency and a true strategic partner.
“With other agencies you often hear: ‘This is our package, this is what we do, the rest is up to you.’ But Hybrid goes further, they help us wherever they can without immediately looking at billing,” Laurens explains.
The future
With the rapid evolution of digital marketing, AVA continues to look ahead. Laurens is convinced that Hybrid will remain a crucial part of their growth.
“Digitalization keeps evolving, and we need specialists who grow with us. Hybrid provides exactly that expertise without us bearing the burdens of a full-time employee,” he says.
AVA expects marketing automation and new technologies such as AI to become even more important in the future, and they see Hybrid as the partner that will help them optimally leverage these trends.
“Hybrid ensures that we are always prepared for the next step. Their flexibility and broad knowledge base make them indispensable in our team,” Laurens concludes.
Conclusion
The collaboration between AVA and Hybrid Agency demonstrates how valuable a hybrid approach can be. By joining forces with an agency that not only executes but also thinks strategically and acts proactively, AVA has significantly strengthened its digital presence.
Hybrid distinguishes itself through their in-depth knowledge, personal approach, and the ability to operate together with AVA as one team. The combination of trust, flexibility, and constant innovation makes them the perfect partner for AVA’s digital future.