CASE STUDY:
Wander Willamette

Project Summary

Wander Willamette needed to strengthen their role as a connector between local businesses and community members throughout the Willamette Valley. They sought to increase awareness of their initiatives, drive participation in community events, and enhance engagement with their programs across West Linn, Lake Oswego, and the Portland metro area. The Lake Oswego and West Linn Business Recovery Centers specifically needed a powerful digital solution to promote local businesses and support economic recovery in their region, with special emphasis on highlighting women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned enterprises.

Our Approach

We developed a comprehensive mapping solution that went beyond basic business listings, integrated with a robust digital marketing strategy. The interactive system included detailed business information, directions, and specialized filtering options to help users find exactly what they needed. We combined this technical solution with organic social media content and strategic paid campaigns across Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Our team created engaging Stories and Reels showcasing local businesses, while the custom-built WordPress integration allowed staff to easily update business information and categories. Through local influencer collaborations and initiatives such as the Local Business Map and Passport programs, we balanced community engagement with promotional content.

The Results

From May 2023 to May 2024, Wander Willamette experienced exceptional growth across all digital platforms. Facebook reach increased by 793.8% with content interactions up by 339.5%, while page visits grew by 301.7%. Instagram showed strong performance with total reach up by 32.9%, content interactions doubling, and profile visits increasing by 395.5%. The mapping solution proved so effective that other economic development organizations requested similar implementations, leading to enhanced features being developed for future projects. Our paid campaigns reached tens of thousands, maintaining competitive cost-per-click rates, while influencer collaborations generated over 26,000 plays on some content. The integrated approach of combining technical solutions with strategic marketing created a valuable resource that continues to serve both the business community and local residents.