For the third consecutive year, the LEDC has ranked in The Canadian Cities Online Marketing Index© by Intelegia. For individuals unfamiliar with the index, the benchmark report is a national ranking of how well large Canadian economic agencies are marketing their regions on the web. Social media applications and websites with relevant and timely information for investment attraction purposes were assessed for the report. The evaluation process for the benchmark occurred between July 14th, 2011 and September 15th, 2011.
“Economic development agencies tend to be late adopters of new and social media.The LEDC was quick to integrate new media into event marketing and soon realized the advantages it created in generating global awareness and connections for our city,” states Peter White, President and CEO of the LEDC.
This third benchmark study measures how well Canadian municipal economic development agencies are branding and marketing their regions to potential investors via the web. Uses of various web 2.0 tools were assessed based on the level of engagement with individuals and the availability of relevant and current content for site selectors on the agency's website were considered. The study considered the 20 largest Canadian cities with Halifax, Edmonton, London, Hamiltyon, Regina and Ottawa at the top of the list.
Intelegia is a boutique consulting firm in Montreal, Canada that understands the need to be innovative and strategic. The firm delivers social media strategies to efficiently engage with stakeholders in economic development, business to business, and business to consumer segments.
Intelegia has witnessed agencies adopting social networks to attain various objectives ranging from pushing news regarding their regions to getting the word out about key location factors. In the 2011 Canadian Cities Online Magazine Index©, there is clear evidence that are some agencies that remain steadfast at being innovative for their online marketing strategies. The evidence is presented in the report in the form of best practices where the following agencies are highlighted:
- Ottawa Centre for Regional Innovation‘s multiblogger approach
- Greater Halifax Partnership‘s YouTube channel development and content strategy by for their SmartCity Business Show
- Hamilton Economic Development ability to provide key site selection information courtesy of the mobile version of their website for smartphones
- Edmonton Economic Development Corporation‘s critical mass of individuals on their Facebook Page and Twitter feed
- London Economic Development Corporation‘s search engine optimization strategy for very informative and promotional videos for business attraction.
The newcomer to the top ranked agencies is the Regina Regional Opportunities Commission with their strong branding efforts for the city.
In this year's report, Intelegia also presents a look at what other smaller agencies are doing on social media. Entreprise Chaleur, Annapolis Digby Economic Development and Conférence régionale des élus de la Mauricie are discussed briefly for organizations that are seeking to build their respective social media initiatives.
As a “take-away”, the conclusion of the report provides planning points for economic development officers who wish to enhance their agency's social web strategy.
Don't have time to read the report now? View the special slidecast below which is also available on IntelegiaTV. Be sure to turn up your speakers.
Kadie Ward
Director, Marketing and Communications
The London Economic Development Corporation
380 Wellington Street, London, ON. N6A 5B5
office: 519-661-1883
mobile: 226-688-6452
