A local partnership has turned to an award-winning communications firm from Kimberley to help create a marketing plan for the Creston Valley.
The Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce, Town of Creston and Regional District of Central Kootenay Areas B and C are using economic development funds to contract with Story & Co. to create a brand that will help in promoting the area.
“A brand is a story. Marketing is telling the story,” is the message Story & Co. principal Matt Thompson was delivering to several dozen area residents when he and his team were in Creston last week to conduct interviews and learn firsthand how participants describe the area. “We strengthen stories & ensure they’re told best.”
Authenticity is key to a brand, Thompson told groups, including town council members, whom he met with on Feb. 22.
“We strengthen how you say who you are, what you do, what you’ve done and what you’re doing,” he said. “Even better, we help change what people say behind your back. But most importantly, we tell stories that inspire action.”
Story & Co. has made its mark by working with a number of communities, and it has been racking up awards on the national scene, too. Last year’s wins included four bests at the Economic Development Association of Canada’s national marketing awards event. Those awards included best brand identity and application, and best tourism website design and development for budgets under $200,000 for its work with Boundary Country Tourism. For its work with Shuswap Tourism, Story & Co. received awards for best brand identity and application and best advertising campaign for budgets under $600,000.
“It’s great to receive recognition, but it’s our clients that deserve the commendation,” Thompson says on the company’s website. “It’s their understanding of the value of differentiation and the significance of a great brand and story that enabled us to do exceptional work for them. We don’t create brands and stories out of nothing. We make good stories great, and our clients had some exceptional stories to begin with. We worked together with them, and they deserve high regard and congratulations.”
Creston Valley residents are invited to participate in the branding process by filling out an online survey at www.crestonsurvey.com until March 9.
