Commercial Drive Ad Campaigns

Commercial Drive is a destination shopping district for Vancouver because it’s such a great urban village. Our businesses shop local. You can too.

It’s always more persuasive to demonstrate the results you’re looking for rather than just asking for them. Our objective with this campaign was for people to “shop local”. These ads worked on two levels. First they showcased not just local businesses, but local business owners. We put a face to the business. Then we explained that they source everything they need right here in the neighbourhood — sometimes right next door.

“Marco shops Commercial Drive.” You can too.

So each ad features one business, but the copy profiles two. Collectively the campaign helped readers reach the conclusion that they too can find everything they’re looking for right here on the Drive. Shop local.

Metrics: In addition to publications such as Where Vancouver, Georgia Straight, Vancouver Magazine, Arts Club Theatre and Cultch theatre programs, we ran these ads in the 3 SkyTrain routes that brought patrons to our neighborhood. Platform posters and interior overhead ads on each train included QR codes unique to that train route. Traffic to corresponding landing pages showed us which routes were most engaged by the campaign. That guided additional media spends for neighborhood publications that were likely to yield the best ROI.

Download a PDF with 16 stories from this campaign

We were fortunate to have Ian and his team’s resources in the development and implementation of The Drive’s branding, marketing, and promotion. Ian put The Drive out there with professional and creative ads and programs that pulled people to experience our unique restaurants, coffee shops and retailers – not just once but as repeat visitors.

Ian and his team are visionaries who get results for their clients; keep on, or under, budget; and meet deadlines.

– Rob Forrest
Vice President of the Commercial Drive BIA: 15+ Years
Vice President of Property Services Gulf Pacific Group: 18+ Years