This past summer, the Old East Village BIA engaged with the Canada Summer Jobs Program to hire recent graduate, and social media aficionado, Gabrielle Gillespie. Hitting the ground running, Gabrielle got started immediately, reaching out to businesses and brainstorming content that would help to illustrate all the reasons to Eat, Shop, and Play in OEV.
But this content isn’t simply for the BIAs website or Facebook page… we will be launching our Instagram (@digoevldn) and Gabrielle is the brains behind the operation.
“Instagram reaches a large and targeted demographic in a simple, aesthetically appealing way. It gives small businesses the opportunity to market themselves and build their brands” Gabrielle said.
This has been the thinking behind so many exciting things this McMaster University Communications Graduate is coming up with. For the OEV BIA, this Instagram account will be the sum of its parts, showcasing all the incredibly unique businesses, organizations, and offerings that define this neighbourhood.
“There’s a strong DIY to Instagram” Gabrielle told us. This is something we’ll be seeing regularly as she helps to depict the unique and welcoming character of so many OEV staple locations through a platform that “allows businesses to take control of their branding, messaging, and image, all by themselves.”
On top of classic OEV businesses and friendly faces, expect to see a slew of new programs and promotions through Instagram. These include the Core Area Construction Dollars Program (and subsequent business promotions), and the #DIGOEV Digital Marketing Fund, and more upcoming endeavours as the OEVBIA continues to offer supports to area businesses throughout COVID-19 recovery and a major construction project on Dundas.
There are plenty of exciting things to come and businesses to get acquainted with through Gabrielle’s work on Instagram. Officially launching on September 3, 2020, be sure to follow @DigOevLdn on Instagram and see just what Gabrielle will be putting all those photography, video, and communication skills toward!
What sort of content would you like to see on the OEVBIA Instagram? Reach out at 519-645-7662 or info@oldeastvillage.com with suggestions!
