Oxford County’s five rural townships have an abundance of local shops, tourism stops, and service businesses that we just love to promote!
Building on a successful community collaboration, our Rural Oxford team will again partner to add another dozen videos to the collection of local business features on the Rural Oxford Shopping Channel.
The initial Oxford Shopping Channel concept came together during the pandemic as a means to provide digital marketing support to hard hit businesses through a partnership between Community Futures Oxford, Rural Oxford Economic Development, Puffin Media, The Social Factory, and Tourism Oxford. Since inception in 2020, collectively, 50+ businesses across Oxford County have been showcased through this platform.
Crystal van Roekel, Economic Development Officer and Project Lead, said the project’s focus has shifted. “When the Oxford Shopping Channel originally launched, the focus was on supporting local retail businesses in downtown hubs. With that success, we were able to shine a light on a number of other rural businesses. Earning such positive feedback, we’re relaunching a second season highlighting not only rural retailers but services too. We want people to know about the great businesses, products and services available in their backyards.”
A total of 12 small businesses will benefit from a professional feature video, as well as the Marketing Partner Program we’ve established to increase support and promotion for these companies. “The videos will really showcase exactly what doing business in Rural Oxford is about. We are tying faces and products to the business brands, focusing on consumerism as a relationship with a small business owner, not just what they are selling.” she added.
“We love collaborating, so to be able to pair up with some of these incredible rural businesses to help them market and promote their products and services really allows us to offer another level of support. We see businesses lifting each other up, and that is something worth celebrating” Crystal adds.
Some benefits of participating as a Marketing Partner on the Rural Oxford Shopping Channel include, business consultation, resource sharing, new networking connections, and a wonderful community collaboration where community partners and businesses work together to uplift other rural businesses.
“The creativity and collaboration among our community partners to leverage existing resources and strengthen the business support available to our rural communities has truly been remarkable. Congratulations to the team on another successful program!” – Jim Pickard, Board Chair, on behalf of Rural Oxford Economic Development Board.
If you are a business that would like to be featured on the Rural Oxford Shopping Channel and your business resides in Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, South-West Oxford, or Zorra Township, please apply now!
Fun Fact: Did you know the first round of videos on the Oxford Shopping Channel reached over 200,000 people?! Check them out at:
