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

Sponsor Links

Koko Monk Chocolates’ Partnership

We’re delighted to announce a partnership with Koko Monk Chocolates, a new Vancouver chocolate shop that creates handmade, hand tempered fine chocolates with exotic and sophisticated flavor fusions. Check them out at 1849 West 1st Avenue in Kitsilano.

Social media strategy includes a blogger event launching their first retail store helping them generate awareness, partnerships and sales.

Event possible with thanks to the generous sponsorship of local businesses including Suki’s Salon & Spa, Costen Catbalue Goldsmith & Design and Hilary Miles Flowers.

Case study to follow upon completion.

Valerie Rodriguez, Youth Marketing Specialist, BC Hydro

Joanne was hired to develop the social media strategy and implementation for the Invent the Future youth contest. Joanne’s ideas are insightful and creative; her drive to revisit the strategy till it was fine tuned and the desired results started to come in make her a stand out social media consultant. Joanne is hard working, reliable and focused on results.

ReadyGo Book Review “Yes We Did”

An inside look at how social media built the Obama brand.

A great book by Rahaf Harfoush on fundraising, mobilizing an online community or for anyone who just wants the inside scoop on one of the world’s most famous social media successes. Worth a read! Forward by Don Tapscott. Review by Joanne Probyn of ReadyGo Media.

BC Hydro Invent the Future | CASE STUDY Social Media

BC Hydro’s
Invent The Future Contest

Situation:

BC Hydro sought to increase public awareness of energy conservation through Invent The Future, a sustainability ideas contest for youth age 16 to 24. Goals included changing behavior through peer influence, driving contest entries and votes, and promoting off and online sharing.

Action:

• Created and executed on social media, community outreach and content strategies
• Activated channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
• Consultation on website design, video and mobile
• Targeted influencers and leveraged analytics to expand reach and maximize engagement
• Provided weekly analytics reports, ongoing strategic advice and a completion summary

Results:

• Viral video 31,900 views
• Nearly 150 entries from all over BC
• Practically tripled our goal for votes! 29,000 votes exceeding contest goals by 288%
• More than doubled Facebook Likes! 237% Facebook Likes (43% per month average “10-13% considered very good” Mashable)
• Motivated over 6,500 conservation pledges beating targets by 34%
  
• Generated over 35,000 website visits exceeding goals by 27%
  
• Created new strategies resulting in nearly doubling Facebook traffic!
  
  • 180% Facebook traffic increase
  • Facebook is now the number one traffic source!
• Earned tons of free media! 503 blog mentions and 57 discussions. Far exceeded goal of 5 blog entries!
• Website traffic exploded!
  • 154% increase of overall traffic
  • 130% increase of referred traffic

All achieved within the constraints of a 13% budget reduction!

Likely over a million dollars of free media coverage!

Based on year-over-year metrics. Partner agency: FD (PR)