More Money in your Jeans Marketing Campaign 'fit perfect' winning a Provincial Award

The Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS) is invited to Ft. St. John to the Economic Development Association of BC (EDABC) conference and Neil Babiy, Economic Development Officer, receives an award. As a result the SAEDS and the City of Salmon Arm can boast itself as having the province of BC's best marketing campaign.

Responding to the skilled labour shortage and the increasing cost of doing business in markets such as Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and the Lower Mainland, Salmon Arm Economic Development encourages business with branch plant expansion plans to 'try it on for size'.

Select businesses in Alberta were sent an actual pair of jeans promoting the competitive business and life style advantages of Salmon Arm. The community offers labour, infrastructure, access to markets as well as the casual and affordable lifestyle many business owners and employees are looking for.

Recipients of the jeans were directed to a specifically designed website; www.moremoneyinyourjeans.com that included links to the community profile, and interactive business form and a fully integrated database to track submissions and respond to specific inquiries. A picture postcard of the jeans was also sent to a larger group of businesses directing them to the moremoneyinyourjeans.com website.

Much like a pair of jeans, Salmon Arm is a practical, hardworking place. The economy is deeply rooted with diversity including forestry and small manufacturing sectors. The Economic Development Society is leveraging the existing market condition and employment skill sets to further build a sustainable local economy.

As a result of the campaign, manufacturers who have recently established branch plants or new start ups here include Doepker, SA Plastics and ADAM Integrated. These three companies represent millions of dollars of direct (and indirect) investment and at least 200 skilled and unskilled jobs.

Western Economic Diversification and the City of Salmon Arm helped fund this SAEDS initiative while local talent of Louise Wallace, Mediability Corporate Communications owner and Warren Welter, Creatability owner, developed the award winning communication and collateral materials.

May 2006
Source: Salmon Arm Economic Development Society