Koko Monk Chocolates Case Study
Chip Wilson, Lululemon founder, congratulates Dincer, Koko Monk Chocolates, "New Business of the Year" finalist and Probyn, ReadyGo Media, "Service Excellence" nominee at the West Side Business Awards.
ReadyGo Media recently partnered with Koko Monk Chocolates to launch their new retail shop and café located in Kitsilano.
Industry experts put the new business failure rate at 60-80% in the first year–with food services and new food products scoring as one of the worst sectors. While the figures vary, one thing is certain–ReadyGo Media understands every decision is critical for new and growing businesses.
According to Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, most restaurants fail due to a lack of :
- Marketing budget (consequently, they remain unknown)
- Poor communications with consumers (frustrating and loosing the few customers they do have)
- Negative consumer perception of value (often caused by inconsistent, undistinguished and inferior branding causing distrust), and;
- Failure to integrate a vision and mission into the operation (weak branding leading to confusion and rejection)
ReadyGo Media helped Koko Monk Chocolates define key business goals empowering them to get the most from their budget and time. They needed to build the brand and drive awareness.
Key Tactic: Exclusive Media Event
ReadyGo Media spearheaded the planning, promotion and publicity for an exclusive, sponsored media event marking the launch of their first retail store.
The results? Brand development and exposure that built trust–of consumers and affiliates–achieved through an outpouring of compelling, authentic stories…ultimately generating more and more opportunities.
Measurable results (achieved in less than two months):
- Successful, exclusive event featuring guests including The Globe and Mail and key industry influencers resulting in 14 published stories with a reach of at least 500,000+
- Secured event sponsorships from strategic partners valued at $4000+
- Built a passionate online community resulting in valuable recommendations, publicity and word-of-mouth advertising
- Strong relative growth; maintained good sales during their off-season
- Generated a 40% increase in Facebook fans
- Doubled unique website visitors
- Increased website visits 61%
- Increased Twitter fans 500%
- Increased engagement and established a Klout score of 45
Measured over a five week period before and after the campaign.
Brand Assets:
- Powerful brand messaging
- Press kit
- Photography
- Promotional media booklet
- 5 star Yelp and Urban Spoon ratings
Paul Dincer, Founder Koko Monk Chocolates and Joanne Probyn, Founder ReadyGo Media with friends at the West Side Business Awards
Consequent Success Highlights
- West Side Business Awards “New Business of the Year” finalist
- Professionally produced video valued at $10,000 by TELUS OptikTV
- Retail placement at Granville Island’s Edible Canada at the Market
- Successful new product development
- Built strong relationships resulting in invitations to participate in high-profile events including:
- BC’s largest local food evening, Taste BC at Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver
- Liberty Wine’s Port & Chocolate Night at Vancouver Rowing Club
- Suki’s Salon and Spa “Treat Yourself” evening
- City Food Magazine’s Hot Chocolate Festival
- Invitation to present at Vogue Theatre’s Pecha Kucha Night (1200 attendees)
- Vancouver Foodster Barista Competition
- Blogger interviews, video footage and articles
- Social Shopper promotion launching new classes
Partnering with ReadyGo Media has proven to be an excellent business decision. With strong signs of continued growth, recognition and profitability, Koko Monk Chocolates is looking forward to their first year anniversary just around the corner in February 2014.
“Working with ReadyGo Media was a perfect fusion
between our needs and their professional strategic implementation,”
~ Paul Dincer, Founder and Chocolatier, Koko Monk Chocolates
