• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, April 14, 2020

A new purpose-driven platform for the marketing industry — Givsly — has officially launched nationwide.

The founder and CEO is ad-tech veteran Chad Hickey, who launched a previous iteration of the business last year known as Lucky Forks.

Givsly provides a way for agencies and others to secure virtual meetings with marketers they want to pitch new business proposals to. They get the chance to do so by donating to causes those marketing leaders support. Then can then request a virtual meeting with the prospect.

The company is positioning the platform as a win-win for both sides during the COVID-19 crisis, given that most business is being conducted virtually. It also helps agencies maintain a new business pipeline while providing assistance to non-profits, which are finding resources ever scarcer to acquire during the pandemic. Marketers as well are struggling and looking for new ideas.

More than 75% of platform users represent advertising and media companies. Agencies including OMD, UM and Spark Foundry have signed on to use the service. OMD, for example is supporting GlamourGals Foundation Inc. with investment, sales and marketing support and other industry expertise.

“We all have causes we care deeply about, yet professionals are busier than ever and have little time to think about how to make social impact,” said Hickey, who previously held senior roles at Placed and GroundTruth. “With Givsly, we're making it easier than ever to contribute while connecting relevant professionals to progress everyday business."

Givsly has an agency advisory board that includes Amy Armstrong, U.S. CEO of Initiative; Steve Williams, Global COO of Essence; Jeremy Cornfeldt, CEO of iProspect; Erin Matts, US CEO, Hearts & Science and Chris Boothe, CEO Spark Foundry.

More about the platform can be found here.