Local marketing initiative #SupportTheBurne receives national recognition with award

March 4, 2021 · 0 Comments

Written By Jessica Laurenza

COVID-19 has hurt local small businesses most severely, but the Town of Shelburne did not let the pandemic drag them down; rather, they rallied together create a community marketing strategy to encourage support for local businesses.

The Economic Developers Association of Canada awarded Shelburne with a Marketing Canada Award for their marketing initiative #SupportTheBurne, which recognizes communities who are marketing their town to improve the overall economic well-being of Canadians.

Shelburne worked in conjunction with Tristan Barrocks of The Digital Storytellers creative agency to run unique short commercials which addressed the common concern, “how can we reach current and new clients?” The campaign consisted of a string of social media ads ranging from postings on the town website, local billboards, and airtime on the local Country105 FM.

This message was displayed on all digital platforms to communicate a clear and cohesive message – #SupportTheBurne.

Barrocks has been a Shelburne resident for the past 5 years and it was important to him to get involved in community initiatives, using the arts to connect with the people. This initiative was a ‘rallying call’ to help support local businesses.

He was very intentional in showing multiculturalism in the video to exemplify not only the changing demography in Shelburne, but in all of Canada. He was “trying to amalgamate the old generations with the new to show we’re all in this together,” he explains.

For Barrocks, it’s important to support local because you’re ultimately supporting yourself. “Where you live, where your kids go to school, and where you buy your groceries should be a positive and thriving place to be.”

In order for that to happen, community members need to support local businesses. Barrocks references Shelburne’s local pizza joint, Johnny’s Pizza.

“Because I know the people [who own it] I want to support them because I like them. People buy from people they like,” he noted.

Our communities are filled with kind people, people who care about each customer they have, people who care about making their local area a better place to live.

“As digital storytellers we strive to tell stories that are about people because their stories matter. Shelburne matters, the people that live here matter, and we are over the moon to have contributed in any small way to this community’s success,” said Barrocks.