March 22nd, 2021
When it comes to saving the planet, sending 2GB of holiday photos to your nan might not seem like the obvious plan of action. But then again, you know what they say about heroes and capes.
Making its name in the game of quick and simple file sharing, WeTransfer has spent the past ten years helping creatives get their ideas from A to B. Whether it’s first drafts or family snaps, more than 60 million people use the platform every month to share over a billion files.
But when you take a closer look at WeTransfer and its collection of tools (which, with apps like Collect, Paper® and Paste®, span the entire creative process), you’ll see it’s about so much more than convenience.
Around 75% of WeTransfer users identify as creatives, either professional or recreational, and it’s this global community the brand exists to support. WeTransfer’s purpose is “to get behind every great idea,” and it consistently delivers on this in a surprising number of ways – from offering users a spark of inspiration to tackling wider issues preventing ideas from being heard.
Since WeTransfer was founded back in 2009, the company has donated up to 30% of its advertising space to the creative communities (amounting to more than $300 million to date). But it’s also used this valuable advertising real estate to support causes like climate change, gun reform and net neutrality. The company even teamed up with meditation app, Headspace, to wipe out $30 million of medical debt for those in need, earning them a spot on FastCompany’s list of the 10 most innovative social good companies.
These initiatives are not only good for the greater, well, good. But they act as a call-to-arms for the site’s millions of users – driving people to get inspired, to make changes, or to contribute to a larger cause – as opposed to simply serving distracting pop-ups, upsells or promotional ads while people download or upload their files.
And it’s not just behind the transfer window, but behind the scenes as well. WeTransfer recently became a certified B Corporation – joining companies like Ben & Jerry’s, The Guardian and Patagonia to use business as a force for good. It’s a responsible move, perfectly complementing its commitment to a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025. With tech companies often tarnished with a less than trustworthy reputation, it’s refreshing for users to see their time and money (for those with premium subscriptions) be put towards a responsible cause.
Back to the business of ideas, and WeTransfer’s storytelling platform WePresent is the main event when it comes to delivering on brand purpose. Through engaging, thoughtful and visually arresting content, WePresent celebrates the world’s best art, photography, music and more, showcasing the creative process in all its fantastically frustrating glory.
As well as artist profiles and specially-commissioned projects with the likes of FKA twigs, John Legend and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the platform curates ongoing series like Stuff They Don’t Tell You and commissions an annual Ideas Report, diving into the how and the why behind great ideas.
When it comes to WeTransfer, sending a file is just the tip of the iceberg. A tip that’s driven forward by a much bigger brand purpose and a desire to act and do business responsibly.
With the support of WeTransfer’s collection of creative tools, the right idea can end up in the right hands and have the right impact. And while Marvel might not be rushing to produce a feature film about a lowly set of online tools, it’s a start. And every world-changing idea has to start somewhere.
Written by Robyn Collinge, Creative Copywriter
Cover image credit: Mark Conlan via WeTransfer
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image, however if you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at rb@hatchedlondon.com.
