Skunk Social was a creative agency whose focus was building online communities with thoughtful digital content. The name was inspired by summer races aboard Emily’s Skunk 11. A reliable sailing dinghy, the Skunk is hard to tip in rough weather and crosses the finish line with determination even when the wind seems to all but disappear from her sails. The name also embodied the spirit of skunkwork projects, where research informs innovation. At Skunk, we were always looking to cast off the bow lines on new ideas, techniques and technologies to test their seaworthiness. This involved a blend of journalistic, academic, and ethnographic methods.
Select Client Projects
Ottawa Bluesfest & CityFolk Fest
From 2015-2018, Skunk Social delivered comprehensive social media event work for the two largest annual music festivals in Canada’s capital city.
Pre-festival, we assisted with creating a content calendar, training, and ticket sales marketing.
On-site, we integrated with the in-house communications and marketing teams, ensuring sponsorship contracts were met, assisting the customer service team with answering questions that come in through social media, preparing and deploying crisis communications (storms etc…), managing artist promotions, fundraisers, public relations work, and generally never missing a moment (capturing professional photos and videos for posting).
Post-festival reports were in-depth and included data that assisted the festival maintain (and gain) sponsorships for future years.
“We’ve been really happy to work with Skunk Social since 2015. They integrate with our teams in such a way we feel they’re a part of the festival family!”
Kevin Falkingham, Director of Marketing & Promotions
Bluesfest & CityFolk Fest, May 11, 2017.
Cornerstone Housing for Women
We were proud to be trusted to provide social media support (strategy, training, reporting and support for online and in-person fundraising events) for Cornerstone Housing for Women, a respected and deeply needed non-profit that provides a continuum of housing and support for women and gender-diverse people in Canada’s capital.
Canada C3
Canada C3 was a a Signature Project for Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation. C3 saw an ice-breaker travel coast to coast to coast (the 3 Cs) on an epic 150-day sailing journey from Toronto to Victoria, B.C., via the Northwest Passage. Skunk Social assisted C3 pre-voyage, in particular around during the national call for applications to participate; as well as developing a social media strategy for the voyage, a podcast, communications training, and reports.
Voyage participants included scientists conducting research, artists, Indigenous Elders, historians, community leaders, youth, journalists and educators from every province and territory.
Sharing the experiences on board, as well as in classrooms and museums on shore, while keeping all Canadians engaged for over 150 days, from remote locations and with unpredictable internet connections, posed considerable challenges; but all a part of the adventure, which Skunk Social is proud to have climbed aboard.
“Skunk Social helped us develop a social media strategy that included a variety of goals, highlighted potential challenges, and offered creative solutions on a project with many moving parts. The Skunk Social crew also supported us with in-house social media direction and suggested processes while we grew our communications team.”
Peter Wall, Communications Team Lead
Ground Soap
Ground Soap produces skin-nourishing bars and skincare products by hand, with a focus on creating things that are good for both people and the planet. Skunk Social was brought in to help them reach a wider audience online. We conducted a content audit and audience segmentation report, developed a social media strategy, created content, and reported on these efforts. We also updated the website (including product photography, graphics, SEO, written content etc…), developed and deployed a newsletter, and created media relations and paid advertising strategies.
Needless to say, everyone who worked on this project went home smelling better than they ever did before!
“Skunk Social uses their insight, creativity and fluid editorial skills to accurately and effectively reflect the face of our company. Their combined passion and ideas encourage our own creativity. Skunk Social’s thorough knowledge of social media ensures that the results are effective. These ladies rock!!”
Angela Youngs & Glenn Forrester
founders of Ground Soap.
Chelsea Jones Shoes
Based in the Pacific Northwest, Chelsea Jones Shoes is the answer to the question: What if high-heels could feel more like running shoes? Skunk Social developed a social media strategy for this company making dress shoes feel better, and took product photography of the company’s 2018 line of shoes and boots.
“The Chelsea Jones brand has benefitted from Skunk Social’s fresh perspective and focused approach to communicating with our customers. They offer realistic solutions that consider my business size and workflow, and are not afraid to try new things. I enjoy working with them to come up with creative ideas to push the business further!”
Chelsea Jones, Founder/creative director of Chelsea Shoes Shoes