*This article appeared in the Spring 2009 issue of the Forum For Women Entrepreneurs Magazine

Soya Marketing: A New Kind of PR Agency is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing

The BC Medical Association, which represents BC’s doctors, recently selected Soya Marketing to develop a social media strategy. The goal of the strategy is to bring awareness to a hot-button issue in BC: the need for greater funding for addiction treatment.

Geraldine Vance is director of communications and public affairs for the association. She said, “The social media bandwagon is full of consultants and interested clients. Finding the people with real expertise and not just a passing knowledge or ability to use the buzz words is the challenge. We found the real goods when we decided to work with Soya.”

Soya Marketing takes a storytelling approach to social media. The agency’s founders, Deborah Collins and Jacqueline Voci ,each draw on their backgrounds working at some of Vancouver’s best-known agencies (like J. Walter Thompson and National PR) and some Vancouver-based brands (like Intrawest and Pivotal.)

Geraldine says, “Deborah and Jacqueline have a real understanding of this new world and how it can be used for PR purposes. They are solid PR practitioners of who do their homework.”

The BCMA is inviting people across BC to participate in a discussion on Facebook on the topic: ‘Is addiction a disease or a human failure?’ Let your voice be heard on this crucial issue.

Soya Launches Social Media Initiative for BC Medical Association is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing

Need a lively example of how social media can build  real-life relationships? Look no further than the 2009 World Police and Fire Games Facebook page created in February which boasts over 4,150 fans joining in on the discussion from virtually every angle. The page take its aesthetic cues from the WPFG website with interactive content neatly boxed into different sections for quick and easy access. Fans can ask each other questions, comment and offer opinions, share likes and dislikes, and exchange rich content like photographs and video – all interactively and in real-time. Another interesting feature of Facebook marketing is that sharing in the WPFG experience is not limited to those physically in Vancouver; people around the world have joined in the fun and offered their support, contributing to the unfolding dialogue without missing a beat.

The significance of creating a Facebook community for the WPFG is that it translates directly into increased visibility, accessibility and connection.

For the WPFG, its first-ever foray into social media helped turn this into its biggest, most successful games ever.

Soya helps the 2009 World Police & Fire Games reach record numbers is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing

Here’s an interview with Cindy about the Park Royal strategy.

Q: Why did you start using social media as part of your marketing strategy at Park Royal?
A: We started to use social media to reach our back-to-school demographic. This is a difficult demographic to reach with traditional marketing. We are not moving away from traditional marketing – but we are adding social media into the mix. We want to see how the two work together.
Q: What would you say to someone who is hesitating to try social media marketing?
A: You can experiment with a whole new way to reach customers. We have not been working in social media for very long but the results we have seen to date are good. What you’re accomplishing is setting up dialogue and interactive communication. This is an excellent compliment to traditional media.

Q: Why did you choose Soya for your social media strategy?
A: Soya came recommended by our creative director. Upon meeting with Soya, I found them to be informed, respectful of our perspective and our position with our customers.

Q: What did you value most about working with Soya?
A: Very quick turnaround. They delivered on what they said they would and they were flexible to work with.

About Soya Marketing

Soya Marketing is a new kind of PR agency. Soya helps companies boost their brands on Google using social media story telling. Clients include: 2009 World Police & Fire Games, Blast Radius (a member of the Wunderman network), SmartDesign Group and the Dalai Lama Center for Peace & Education.

Soya Helps Park Royal Shopping Center with Social Media Strategy is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing

We asked Dave what advice he would give to companies that are questioning whether social media makes sense for their business.

Here’s how he responded: “First, I’d tell them that conversations about their company are happening all around them in the digital spaces, whether they chose to participate or not. Second, I’d say that they should worry less about the new jargon and technology and various latest hippest sites, and focus on developing a strong communications plan that embraces storytelling above all else. Once you do that you find the inclusion of social marketing elements easier to consider, simpler to prioritize and much more effective for your particular business.

Finally, I’d say I’m old enough to remember the boss who told me that all the time I was spending working on a computer (in 1985) was wasted because the machine did nothing of value. Then I remember being told that spending time with Datapac and forums and newsgroups was useless because not enough people had access to these tools. Later I was told that I was crazy to suggest email would be a form of communication people might embrace versus conventional mail … you get the idea … for me all social marketing represents is another array of extremely compelling and functional communications tools that when used properly allow your organization to connect to people in ways never before possible.”

Wise words. Thanks for your perspective, Dave.

Great Marketing Advice from the Vancouver Aquarium is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing

We think of blogs completely differently. We think of a blog as a marketer’s best friend. Simply put, it’s the best way to communicate with the market super easy, and super fast. Did you land a new client? Did you launch a new product? Rather than spending weeks developing a news release and figuring out a strategy to pitch reporters, with a blog (and a social media distribution strategy), you can get your news immediately to way more people. You can get your news directly to the segment of the market you’re trying to reach. No more middlemen.

That’s why blogs are cool for business.

To Blog or Not to Blog is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing

The New Business Networking… is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing

We attended Crave’s Seattle event a couple of days ago. It was a smashing success and we met some wonderful people. We’ve gotta to get to Seattle more often – what a great city.

Soya Marketing on Stage at Crave Business Event is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing

Get on Twitter TODAY is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing

Think Beyond the Traditional Press Release is a post from: Web PR Blog: Soya Marketing