SYDNEY: Compare Club has acquired One Big Switch, the consumer network that uses the collective buying power of its members to negotiate offers on household bills. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition brings together two different models for helping households reduce the cost of essentials. Compare Club helps consumers compare, choose and switch with the support of its advisers. One Big Switch puts a single, negotiated offer in front of its members, who join free of charge, across categories including energy, insurance and telecommunications.
The two businesses serve people on opposite sides of the same decision. Some consumers want to weigh up their options and find the right fit. Others want a good deal without working through a comparison. Because the two audiences overlap very little, the combined group expects to reach households that neither business reaches well on its own.
One Big Switch brings an owned audience of around 1.4 million Australians, an established brand and a deal-led acquisition model that sits alongside Compare Club's comparison and brokerage capabilities. Compare Club will apply its provider partnerships and marketing scale to One Big Switch, refresh and rotate member offers more regularly, and use its existing partners to expand One Big Switch into new categories, including life insurance.
One Big Switch will continue to operate as a distinct brand within the Compare Club group, and members will see no immediate change to their experience. Compare Club Chief Marketing Officer Zara Cobb said the acquisition was about meeting Australians wherever they are when it comes to saving on bills.
"Most people know they could be paying less for household bills like energy and insurance, but knowing that and acting on it are two very different things," Ms Cobb said.
"Comparing takes a little more time and energy. When life gets busy, a lot of households stay where they are and end up paying more than they need to, simply because the process feels like too much work.
"Some people want to sit down, look at their options and choose what suits them. Others just want someone they trust to put a good deal in front of them. Compare Club has always been built for the first group. Bringing One Big Switch into the Club means we can help both.
"For households, that means more choice, more categories and offers that are refreshed over time, so there is always a reason to check whether you are still getting good value. It also means the effort is up to you. The deal can come to you, and the comparison is there when you want it.
"One Big Switch has built a trusted brand and a loyal community over many years. We are keeping that brand and the experience members know, and putting Compare Club's scale and partnerships behind it. Saving money on the essentials should not be reserved for the people with the most time to chase it."
ENDS
About Compare Club
Compare Club is an independently owned Australian comparison service that helps people make informed financial decisions across key areas like health insurance, life cover, energy and home loans. With over 3.6 million members and more than one million product enquiries each year, Compare Club provides tailored support through a team of 300+ staff based in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
1300 11 2582 | compareclub.com.au
About One Big Switch
One Big Switch is a free consumer network that uses the collective buying power of its members to negotiate exclusive offers on household bills, including energy, insurance and telecommunications. One Big Switch is part of the Compare Club group.
