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

Koko Monk Chocolates’ Successful Launch Event

ReadyGo Media partnered with Koko Monk Chocolates this Spring to create a special chocolate tasting event that marked the launch their first retail store.

Photo courtesy Joann Pai, Eating in Vancouver | Flowers courtesy Hilary Miles Flowers

Paul Dincer, owner and chocolatier of Koko Monk Chocolates, began as Levni Chocolates and sold in five Vancouver farmer’s markets over three years leading to its opening. In February 2013, Koko Monk opened its first retail location in Kitsilano. Koko Monk creates handmade, hand painted, hand tempered fine chocolates with unique flavor fusions. Each Koko Monk chocolate is indeed a work of art. The chocolates engage all the senses from a one-of-a kind beauty to delightful flavour combinations drawing on inspirations from Shakespeare to post-modernism.

Photo courtesy Barry Calhoun Photography

Joanne Probyn, founder and digital strategist of ReadyGo Media, worked with Paul to carefully select twelve special guests for Koko Monk’s Exclusive Chocolate Tasting Night. Present were food critics, bloggers and photographers that ranged from the promising and talented food storytellers, FoodGays, to Canada’s most authoritative news source, The Globe and Mail. Each was invited for his or her style, taste and sophistication. Yet despite their vast experiences, few had enjoyed a chocolate tasting before; the excitement leading to the event was palpable across social media channels. And the enthusiasm continued throughout the event; while the event officially ended at 8pm, many guests stayed late with the last person leaving after 10pm. “ReadyGo Media far exceeded my expectations,” says Paul. “It was incredible to meet all of these remarkable, like-minded food lovers all at once. I make my chocolates for people like them.” Each guest was served a flight of six chocolates and Paul guided the food connoisseurs through a blind tasting that revealed his complex flavour combinations and concepts. The last chocolate was paired with a dessert wine, expressly recommended for one of Koko Monk’s chocolates by one of North America’s most accomplished fine wine connoisseurs, San Diego-based Francois-Xavier Auffret.

Photo courtesy Barry Calhoun Photography

This event was possible with the generous support of our many sponsors–special thanks to Suki’s Salon & Spa, Hilary Miles Flowers, Costen Catbalue Goldsmith & Design, Barry Calhoun Photography and Vision Event Photography. We would also like to thank all our speecial guests for their enthusiasm, pioneering spirit and community support.

Photo courtesy Koko Monk Chocolates

We’ve been thrilled with the positive feedback so far including several outstanding articles written by Ariane C. Design, VanFoodster, FoodGays and Eating in Vancouver. Some people were captivated by Paul’s passion for chocolate, while others were surprised and delighted with the artistry behind Koko Monk’s culinary creations.

Photo courtesy Koko Monk Chocolates

Due to the event’s success and wide public interest, ReadyGo Media will continue event planning and marketing initiatives with Koko Monk Chocolates. Be the first to find out about our next Koko Monk chocolate tasting event by joining Koko Monk’s mailing list today (via Levni Chocolates).

Photo courtesy Barry Calhoun Photography

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