Van Isle Ecolog Homes worked with Legato PR to prepare the launch of the business and generate visibility for its show home.
- The challenge: Van Isle Ecolog Homes completed BC’s first home using the ecolog building system. Ecolog Homes needed to launch the business, build awareness and credibility and reach prospective customers.
- Our approach: A communications/marketing plan determined the key messages, audiences and the collateral and activities needed to reach the market, illustrate the building method and the ‘eco’ in Ecolog. Legato collaborated with AC Design and the client to develop a new logo and brand identity for Van Isle Ecolog Homes and to create a 4-page colour brochure (ecolog-brochure-150dpi.pdf). Media relations resulted in a 3-page spread with photos in the Times Colonist, which was later published in the Vancouver Sun and other papers across Canada. Participation in a home tour attracted 300 visitors to the show home; Legato wrote the Ecolog description in the tour’s program.
GoBC Arts and Cultural Tourism, Inc. partners with Legato PR to engage its members and customers, reach the arts and tourism sectors and to promote tourism to BC online.
- The challenge: GoBC needs to built brand recognition and set itself apart from public tourism marketing organizations, as GoBC’s philosophy, business model and services are substantially different.
- Our approach: Legato PR developed a communications strategy aimed at strengthening GoBC’s brand identity and positioning GoBC as an independent business with a mission to support the growth of a sustainable tourism sector in BC. How? By monitoring promotional materials for consistent messaging and branding; initiating a successful awards submission and media coverage; by creating a company profile that speaks to the business’ vision and values; and by creating and maintaining a social media presence that engages both visitors to BC communities and present or prospective customers of GoBC.
The RC Diocese of Victoria engaged Legato PR to prepare the launch its Catholic Schools Plan for four schools in Greater Victoria.
- The challenge: The Catholic Schools Plan foresees overall growth, but also the closure of an elementary school with a long history in a prominent location. Further, the risk of unrelated local and international issues affecting the launch had to be considered.
- Our approach: Legato PR assembled a team to develop a communications plan, prepare print information pieces and a PowerPoint presentation, handle media relations, provide media training and issues management advise.
- The outcomes: The Catholic Schools Plan received extensive, fair and accurate coverage in local media. Thanks to careful preparation, a time-sensitive roll-out of the campaign succeeded in reaching community stakeholders and internal audiences, thus establishing a solid basis for future collaboration.
The Victoria Foundation hired Marion to manage its provincial grant programs, funded by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development and overseen by provincial advisory committees.
- In addition to managing relationships with key stakeholders in the public sector and aboriginal organizations, Marion’s goal was to improve transparency and to increase the programs’ visibility among stakeholders.
For the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society, Marion managed province-wide student award programs for aboriginal students, international studies and BC college transfer students.
- The success of the programs hinged upon timely and targeted marketing campaigns, as well as the effective engagement of, and collaboration with BC post-secondary institutions, and aboriginal institutions and organizations. Marion was also responsible for establishing and maintaining transparent decision-making and selection processes through the participation of key stakeholders.
Marion served on the board of the Canadian Public Relations Society-Vancouver Island (CPRS-VI) from 2006-2010, including three years on the executive and one year as president.
Past employers and clients also include
- Nature Conservancy of Canada - BC Region (NCC)
- Memorial Society of British Columbia
- Habitat Acquisition Trust
- Surrounded by Cedar Aboriginal Children and Family Services
- Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team
- University of Victoria
- Vancouver Island University
