{{Short description|Australian online retail company}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox company | name = RedBalloon | logo = RedBalloon-Primary-Logo-Vertical-Red.jpg | logo_size = 250px | caption = | trading_name = <!-- d/b/a/, doing business as - if different from legal name above --> | native_name = <!-- Company's name in home country language --> | native_name_lang = <!-- Use ISO 639-2 code, e.g. "fr" for French. If there is more than one native name, in different languages, enter those names using {{tl|lang}}, instead. --> | romanized = | former type = | type = | traded_as = | industry = | genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies --> | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = 2001 | founder = Naomi Simson | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | location_city = Sydney | location_country = Australia | locations = <!-- Number of locations, stores, offices &c. --> | area_served = | key_people = David Anderson, CEO | products = | production = | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies --> | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = Big Red Group | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = [https://www.redballoon.com.au/ RedBalloon website] | footnotes = | intl = | bodystyle = }}
'''RedBalloon''' is an Australian experiential gifts marketplace, offering varied gift experiences in Australia & New Zealand. The company was founded by Naomi Simson, currently based in Sydney, and owned by parent company Big Red Group. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Palmer-Derrien |first=Stephanie |date=23 April 2021 |title=My biggest mistake: Naomi Simson and David Anderson, co-founders of Big Red Group |url=https://www.smartcompany.com.au/people-human-resources/my-biggest-mistake-naomi-simson-david-anderson-big-red-group/ |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=SmartCompany |language=en-AU}}</ref> Its services include experiences such as cooking classes, spa days, scenic flights and overnight getaways.
==History== RedBalloon was founded in 2001 by Naomi Simson. Simson began the company out of her house with a $25,000 personal investment, after copying the idea from the UK business Red Letter Days<ref name="SMHNSIgnle">{{cite news | last =Steffens | first =Miriam | title =RedBalloon's Vision Was No Flight Of Fancy | newspaper =Business Review Weekly | date =2 April 2012 | url =https://www.smh.com.au/small-business/entrepreneur/redballoons-vision-was-no-flight-of-fancy-20120401-1w6gs.html | access-date =20 May 2013 }}</ref> She grew the company to forty six employees by 2011. The business concept was to sell experiences and memories rather than gifts. Simson launched the company from her home in Balmain, New South Wales.<ref>{{cite web|title=Red Balloon's Naomi Simson Talks Happiness|url=http://smallbusinessbigmarketing.com/naomi-simson-red-balloon/|website=Small Business Big Marketing|date=21 May 2013 |access-date=10 July 2015}}</ref> It was at the end of the dot-com era and she had a difficult time signing up businesses to list with the company.<ref name="SMHNSIgnle"/> It was a total of two months and four days before the company sold its first experience gift, which resulted in a profit of $9 for commission on the sale.<ref name="SMHNSIgnle"/> thumb|Previous RedBalloon office, Pyrmont NSW The company began to grow six months after pop when it was contacted by Fuji Xerox about using the experiences available on the website as an incentive for its sales force. Companies such as Telstra, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, and Qantas signed up shortly thereafter.<ref name="SMHNSIgnle"/> The success of using the experiences for incentives led the company to create RedBalloon Corporate in 2004. From 2001 through 2012, it was reported that the company sold more than 1.7 million gift experiences. The company also reported a 40% growth in their 2012 financial year for overall transaction values. The company also sells experience gift cards in offline retailers such as Target, Big W, and Myer.
Naomi Simson was CEO of the company until 2011 when she took a step back from the operational side of the business.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tay |first=Liz |title=I Will Care For Your Baby: RedBalloon's First Corproate CEO On Taking Over From Naomi Simson |newspaper=Business Insider Australia |date=29 August 2013 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com.au/i-will-care-for-your-baby-redballoons-first-corporate-ceo-on-taking-over-from-naomi-simson-2013-8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428022106/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/i-will-care-for-your-baby-redballoons-first-corporate-ceo-on-taking-over-from-naomi-simson-2013-8 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 April 2015 |access-date=8 December 2013}}</ref> In October 2013 RedBalloon delivered its two millionth experience.<ref>{{cite news | title =Match Media Works With RedBalloon | newspaper =IBB Online | date =27 November 2013 | url =http://www.lbbonline.com/news/match-media-works-with-redballoon/ | access-date =10 December 2013 }}</ref> By 2015, the company had delivered more than four million customers to businesses across Australia and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sutton |first=Dave |date=29 May 2018 |title=How AI Helped One Retailer Reach New Customers |url=https://hbr.org/2018/05/how-ai-helped-one-retailer-reach-new-customers |access-date=1 May 2026 |work=Harvard Business Review |language=en |issn=0017-8012}}</ref>
In 2015, Nick Baker was hired as CEO of the company and Ken Boundy became chairman of the board.<ref name=BuisnessInsiderAUstCEO>{{cite news|last1=Kimmorley|first1=Sarah|title=The man who brought Oprah to Australia is now the CEO of RedBalloon|url=http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-man-who-brought-oprah-to-australia-is-now-the-ceo-of-red-balloon-2015-3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711041134/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-man-who-brought-oprah-to-australia-is-now-the-ceo-of-red-balloon-2015-3|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 July 2015|access-date=10 July 2015|publisher=Business Insider Australia|date=13 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Former Tourism Australia marketer Nick Baker appointed CEO of RedBalloon|url=http://mumbrella.com.au/former-tourism-australia-marketer-nick-baker-appointed-ceo-of-red-balloon-280499|website=Mumbrella|date=11 March 2015 |access-date=10 July 2015}}</ref> RedBalloon went through a re-branding in late 2015, updating the company logo and website.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kingsford-Smith|first1=Andrew|title=RedBalloon Reveals New Brand Makeover for the Silly Season|url=https://www.bandt.com.au/media/redballoon-reveals-new-brand-makeover-for-the-silly-season|access-date=20 October 2015|publisher=Bandt|date=16 October 2015}}</ref> David Anderson took over as CEO in 2017 after becoming the CEO of the newly formed Big Red Group, a holding company that became the parent of RedBalloon.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wallbank|first1=Paul|title=RedBalloon parent, Big Red Group, to promote AI marketing platform Albert|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/redballoon-big-red-ai-albert-460577|access-date=17 August 2017|publisher=Mumbrella|date=28 July 2017}}</ref> Anderson purchased 50% of Redballoon in 2017.<ref name="BusinessInsiderBRG">{{cite news|last1=Yoo|first1=Tony|title=Naomi Simson says people shouldn't fear AI, they should buy it - from her|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/naomi-simson-says-people-shouldnt-fear-ai-they-should-buy-it-from-her-2017-7|access-date=17 August 2017|publisher=Business Insider Australia|date=28 July 2017}}</ref>
RedBalloon was fined $43,000 in 2017 by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission after an investigation found they charged four consumers excessive payment surcharges.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/leadership/entrepreneur/red-balloon-pricked-for-excessive-surcharging-20171117-gznrai|title=Red Balloon pricked for surcharge ripoff|date=2017-11-17|work=Financial Review|access-date=2017-11-28|language=en-US}}</ref>
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions, RedBalloon introduced 250 new experiences that could be enjoyed at home in 2020. This allowed Australians to experience special moments and celebrations without leaving their homes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Redrup |first=Yolanda |date=15 Dec 2024 |title=‘A man is not a plan’: How Naomi Simson created an experiences empire |url=https://www.afr.com/wealth/people/a-man-is-not-a-plan-how-naomi-simson-created-an-experiences-empire-20241119-p5krvm |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=Australian Financial Review}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trigg |first=Che-Marie |date=6 May 2020 |title=With RedBalloon’s At-Home Experiences, You Can Pop the Question, Buy a Mother’s Day Gift or Glamp in Your Backyard |url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/national/entertainment/article/red-balloons-home-experiences-pop-question-buy-perfect-mothers-day-gift-glamp-your-backyard |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=Broadsheet}}</ref>
In 2025, the company established their ‘Best of RedBalloon Guaranteed’ program to help customers confidently find the perfect gift. Each experience given the badge had been tried and tested by a RedBalloon staff member. Any experiences awarded the title had to meet a strict criterion. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollinshead |first=Lisa-Marie |date=5 August 2025 |title=This New ‘Best Of’ Range from RedBalloon Might Just Be the Ultimate Gifting Hack |url=https://social101.com/this-new-best-of-range-from-redballoon-might-just-be-the-ultimate-gifting-hack/ |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=Social 101 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Czapalski |first=Grace |date=7 August 2025 |title=RedBalloon Launches Curated Experience Collection |url=https://eatdrinkplay.com/sydney/redballoon-launches-curated-experience-collection/) |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=Eat Drink Play}}</ref>
==RedBalloon New Zealand== RedBalloon expanded their operations to New Zealand two years after the Australian business was founded, launching redballoon.com.nz in December 2003. In 2016, a new website was relaunched with plans to double their business. They went from 207 product listings in New Zealand in 2016 to 732 listings in 2026. <ref>{{Cite web |last=akingsford-smith |date=21 January 2016 |title=RedBalloon Expands Its Presence Into New Zealand |url=https://www.bandt.com.au/redballoon-expands-presence-new-zealand/ |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=B&T |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Awards and recognition== RedBalloon's awards and recognition include being named one of ''The Great Places to Work'' by Business Review Weekly from 2009 to 2013 and receiving recognition on the ''BRW Fast 100'' list from 2004 to 2009. The company has also been a regular on the Deloitte Fast 50 for Australia, beginning in 2006.<ref>{{cite web | title =Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Australia 2006 | publisher =Deloitte | date =2006 | url =https://www.deloitte.com.au/media/docs/2006_Deloitte_Tech_Fast_50_report.pdf | access-date =20 May 2013}}</ref> In 2015 it became the first Australian company to be named on the WorldBlu list of Most Freedom-Centered Workplaces.
In 2025, the Blackhawk Network ran its annual NAPCO research. Out of 50 leading Australian retailers, RedBalloon was ranked in the top five for its outstanding digital gift card program. It scored 90% overall for a friendly mobile wallet recipient experience. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital gift cards to drive Aussie market {{!}} RW |url=https://retailworldmagazine.com.au/digital-gift-cards-to-drive-aussie-market/ |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=retailworldmagazine.com.au}}</ref>
RedBalloon is regularly featured in popular holiday gift guides for their broad range of experiences. The RedBalloon gift voucher has been listed in Vogue Australia and New Idea as one of best Mother’s Day gift options. Dining out experiences and gift vouchers have also been featured in The Daily Telegraph and other media listicles as some of the best Father’s Day gifts for dads. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Tadros |first=Patrick |date=7 August 2023 |title=Father’s Day gifts 2023: 25 unique ideas for every dad |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/fathers-day-gifts-2023-25-unique-ideas-for-every-dad/news-story/6bfb0499c124d6a8a62bd00299e7c9cc?btr=9b21c85312873ee6e78f98a95d37d |access-date=1 May 2026 |work=News Corp Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Xidias |first=Angelica |date=22 April 2026 |title=50 Vogue-approved gifts to spoil your mum with this Mother’s Day |url=https://www.vogue.com.au/shopping/best-mothers-day-gifts/image-gallery/16ff351d9c449a0043fa4f7bc2b227cb |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=Vogue Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Matilda |first=Rudd |date=21 August 2023 |title=Best gifts for him: Best picks for presents for men including tech, skincare and fashion |url=https://7news.com.au/best-picks/best-gifts-for-him-best-picks-for-presents-for-men-including-tech-skincare-and-fashion--c-11654868 |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=7You}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gracie, De Nobile, Devlin |first=Elizabeth, Stephanie, Briannah |date=5 May 2025 |title=The best Mother’s Day gifts to shop in 2025 |url=https://www.newidea.com.au/shopping/mothers-day-gifts/ |access-date=1 May 2026 |work=New Idea}}</ref>
In addition to gifting, RedBalloon is often mentioned in guides for things to do or for weekend escapes. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Tim |date=30 July 2025 |title=Whales, Dolphins and Weekends Done Right: Epic Day Trips from Brisbane |url=https://bestofbrisbane.com.au/whales-dolphins-and-weekends-done-right-epic-day-trips-from-brisbane/ |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=Best of Brisbane}}</ref>
==See also== * Experiential gifts
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== * [https://www.redballoon.com.au/ RedBalloon Official Website]
Category:Retail companies established in 2001 Category:Companies based in Sydney Category:Online retailers of Australia Category:Giving