What began in 2019 with just three branded bikes has expanded into a nationwide fleet of over 2 000 branded motorcycles. This model aims to deliver measurable brand impact while simultaneously putting extra earnings directly into the pockets of delivery drivers — known as "Motion Mavericks" — on top of their regular delivery work, says the company.

"From the start, we believed MotionAds would only succeed if it worked equally for two groups: our brand clients and our riders," says Jon Berkowitz, co-founder of MotionAds. "Reaching R20-million in supplementary driver income proves that advertising spend can both fuel economic upliftment and deliver ROI for brands."

A Double Bottom Line: ROI + Social Impact

"Drivers aren't just numbers in a dashboard; they're people we know by name. Our success is tied to theirs," says Berkowitz.

MotionAds operates on a "double bottom line" principle: every campaign must deliver commercially and create tangible benefit for drivers, adds the company.

To help maintain this balance, the company hosts monthly regional inspections where quality control meets community building. Riders receive brand training and vehicle assessments, share feedback and connect with one another. Brands are often invited, aiming to further strengthen ties between advertisers and the people powering the campaigns, says the company.

For drivers, the supplementary MotionAds income aims to help them cover essentials during quieter delivery periods. One rider explains, "That six months has changed my life since I've been with MotionAds. They're paying for my cellphone contract and petrol so it makes everything easier." Others use the extra income to support their children's education or to cover household expenses, saying, "The extra income helps me pay for my kids' extra lessons and I can even buy them toys to play with."

At a recent Women's Day roundtable hosted by MotionAds in Gauteng, female riders share how the MotionAds earnings allow them to provide nutritious meals, school uniforms and stability for their families. One rider said, "Now I no longer struggle with food for my kids' school."

From Bootstrapped Start-Up to Industry Leader

Co-founders Jon Berkowitz and Elan Band personally wrapped the first bikes, signed up riders and pitched clients face-to-face. Without outside investment, every rand of early revenue was reinvested into technology, innovation and scaling the fleet, says the company.

The breakthrough came with Pick n Pay's Bottles (later PnP ASAP!), where MotionAds aimed to help establish visibility for their on-demand delivery service in local neighbourhoods. Soon after, a partnership with Uber Eats enabled MotionAds to integrate with couriers nationwide and gain instant credibility with blue-chip brands, says the company.

Since then, campaigns with Vodacom, PepsiCo, Hollard, Heineken and Nedbank have showcased the model's aim to drive reach, credibility and consumer action, while providing additional, flexible earnings for thousands of gig-economy drivers, adds the company.

A campaign saw MotionAds delivering 7.6-million branded kilometres, 1.2-million hours of exposure on the roads and nearly 900 000 promotional flyers delivered to Uber Eats customers for fibre provider, Openserve. This campaign alone, paid more than R2-million to drivers in supplementary income, says the company.

Looking Ahead: Scaling to R100-Million in Driver Earnings

Over the next five years, MotionAds plans to:

  • Grow supplementary driver earnings fivefold, targeting R100-million by 2028.
  • Expansion into smaller towns beyond the seven largest cities in South Africa, giving more brands hyper-local reach.
  • Add new income streams for riders, including affiliate sales, experiential activations and ambassador roles.
  • Continue innovating in transit media, broadening how brands connect with consumers in hard-to-reach spaces.

Advice for Other Founders

Reflecting on their journey, the founders encourage entrepreneurs to prove value before scaling, invest in systems that support growth and guard company culture as fiercely as the bottom line, says the company.

"Build your reputation as carefully as your product," concludes Band. "In industries where trust is everything, your ability to deliver consistently is the best growth engine you'll ever have."

For more information, visit www.motionads.co.za. You can also follow MotionAds on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of Facebook