Tyro recruits UFC’s Alex Volkanovski for ‘Chief Tap Out Officer’ role in latest campaign via Hello

New research, commissioned by Tyro in 2025, has revealed almost a third of small business owners are operating with less than one month’s expenses in reserve in 2025, and one in four say they are paying themselves less now compared to a year ago. Female owners are the most impacted with one in three paying themselves less this year.

The cost-of-living crisis is weighing heavily on hospitality business owners this year, with eight in ten predicting an increase in coffee costs, and 75% expecting a hike in beer prices too, with a quarter saying a cold one will set Aussies back more than $12 in 2025.

The new insights come as Tyro launches its ‘Big Buyout’ campaign, created in conjunction with Hello, aimed at giving local business a helping hand with Australian UFC superstar, Alex Volkanovski. The campaign highlights Tyro’s obsession with Aussie business success, offering lucky businesses across NSW the chance to win a ‘Big Buyout’ thanks to Tyro, who will send Volk to spend up big for the day – and give all his purchased goods away for free to the public.*

Tyro’s Head of Marketing, Sera Awad, says “This campaign shows Tyro’s commitment to supporting Aussie businesses, by teaming up with Volk, a well-loved Aussie star, and spending big, our aim is to help these local businesses thrive. With his experience as a small business owner and his fearless attitude as a UFC fighter, we knew Volk was the right person for the job!”

Says Sam Kelly, Managing Partner at Hello: “We loved that Tyro was up for doing something brave and disruptive. The concept has been embraced organisation-wide, welcoming Volk into his new role. We often see B2B brands trying to solve business problems with vanilla business influencers, case studies and whitepapers but the reality is we are speaking to humans who also respond to culture and creativity. This thinking coupled with the power of giving back and purpose is as Volk would say ‘a bloody winner all round.”

The first official ‘Big Buyout’ kicks off at the iconic Hotel Ravesis at Bondi Beach on Sunday Feb 23rd with a further two scheduled later this year. Participating businesses can enter the competition to win a $10,000 ‘Buyout’ by visiting Tyro’s website www.tyro.com.au/buyout

The integrated campaign is live across social, website, CRM, PR and activations across NSW.

* Tyro Payments Limited ACN 103 575 042 AFSL 471951. T&Cs apply and are available at tyro.com/buyout 

Client – Tyro
Head of Marketing & Strategic Alliances – Sera Awad
Head of Brand and Acquisition – Stephanie Brown
Head of Communications – Gemma Garkut
Brand Manager- Justine Duffy
Brand Specialist – Elle Tambakis
Communications Manager – Lucy Rowles
Campaign Marketing Manager – Matt Gregory
Senior Copywriter – Max Kitchen
Designer – Pearce Jacobs
Senior Digital Marketing Manager – Justyna Zawadzka
Senior Manager Marketing Automation – Nick Hallworth
Performance Optimisation – Shaydn Estreich
Customer Marketing Manager – Noel John
Digital Content Specialist – Michael Osborne
Digital Marketing Manager – Manju Mani
Partnerships Marketing Manager – Olivia Kent

Integrated Agency – Hello
Managing Partner – Sam Kelly
Executive Creative Director – Dan Fryer
Director of Client Solutions – Julien Dupuche
Director of Media & Marketing Science – Daniel Hill
Head of Events & Experiential – Olivia Watts
Project Director – Joanna Allen
Art Director – Cody Waters
PR Lead – Allex Conley
Film Production: We Know Video