Spring into early summer was full of energy at Kin. Q2 brought new campaigns, continued client momentum, and important time spent reflecting, planning, and connecting as a team.

Here’s a look at what kept us busy this quarter:

April

– We began working with Aldila Boutique to celebrate their 40th anniversary, a major milestone for a local small business. We engaged local media and influencers across BC and Alberta, and supported celebratory events across Aldila locations. 

– Marin and Melissa attended the Winnipeg Home + Garden Show, supporting the event across multiple touchpoints from media relations and social media management to influencer coordination and on-site experience planning. With Bryan Baeumler headlining alongside a strong lineup of home and design experts, the Show delivered significant inspiration for homeowners and strong media momentum. Results included 54 media hits, 935 total mentions, a potential reach of 43M, and $1M in PR value.

– Pam, our CEO, spent time in Paris earlier this quarter and returned engaged. Congratulations to Pam and Hatem!

 – We coordinated and executed a photoshoot with WINGS at their downtown Vancouver location. With the aim to capture a fun and energetic vibe for social content, we rounded up a group of friends to join us for dinner and captured content while they enjoyed each other’s company and a complimentary meal. You can check out some BTS content here.
 
– We supported WINGS with a range of creator visits and social content initiatives designed to build excitement around key moments, game-day dining, and new menu offerings. Including: NHL Playoff Finals and a Spring Patio Party in collaboration with Parallel 49.

– We continued supporting client Mackenzie Village, a mountain resort development in Revelstoke, BC, amplifying awareness across key ski towns and mountain communities in Canada and the United States through targeted digital advertising. Our work helps strengthen recognition of Mackenzie Village as a future-forward residential community rooted in Revelstoke’s year-round mountain lifestyle and outdoor culture. Follow along on Instagram to stay up to date on their latest developments and announcements.

May

– For Mental Health Awareness Month, we took a step back as a team to prioritize well-being in a simple and intentional way. The team was offered a wellness allowance to put toward something that supports their mental health – from movement and fitness to rest and recovery. We also brought back our Kin Step Challenge, adding a light, friendly layer of accountability and movement into the month, with weekly step tracking and small rewards to encourage participation

– Along the theme of Mental Health Awareness Month, we supported the Bone & Biscuit Co. on the launch of its “Paws for a Cause” campaign in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The campaign highlighted the connection between pets and mental well-being, alongside in-store fundraising and community activations designed to drive meaningful local impact. Through targeted national media relations, the story gained strong traction across lifestyle, wellness, broadcast, and regional outlets, including coverage in VITA, CTV Your Morning Calgary, and Virgin Radio. 

– In May, we also made time to connect in person as a team, with Pam visiting Vancouver for several days of collaborative working sessions, client meetings, and time together as a team outside of the day-to-day.

– We wrapped a project with longtime client, Wish Dry Bar, supporting the launch of their new Fairmont Pacific Rim location, with a focus on elevating awareness of the brand’s expansion into Vancouver’s luxury hospitality space. Through targeted media relations and influencer engagement, we helped position Wish as a go-to destination for elevated blowouts, Kerastase treatments, and in-room styling services. The campaign secured strong coverage in outlets including Vancouver Sun, VITA, and Montecristo, alongside notable influencer visits and social shares from creators such as @daniella_atk, @izzydilg, and @mobinapeiman, helping drive sustained visibility and excitement around the new location and brand growth.

– The team stayed sharp and inspired by attending webinars hosted by Monday Girl, Sprout Social, and HeyOrca – diving into the latest industry insights, emerging trends, and best practices shaping the world of PR and digital marketing.

– We kicked off work again with Odihi: Bigger Ideas Conference (BIC), Vancouver’s leadership and empowerment conference for ambitious women. This year’s theme, The Power of a Woman: Where Ambition Meets Legacy, brings together founders, professionals, and emerging leaders for a day of conversation, connection, and practical insight. Kin is supporting PR and digital strategy ahead of the September 2026 event. Grab your tickets here! 

June

– We held a Kin Planning Day, a full-team working session focused on stepping back from day-to-day work to reflect on where we are and where we’re headed. The team came prepared with short decks to share ideas and insights, and the session centered on key priorities for the business moving forward. We left feeling energized and excited about what’s next.

– We directed and captured new social content for WINGS, incorporating more sports-focused storytelling into the restaurant’s visual identity and supporting the launch of its new summer menu.

– We continued to see strong coverage roll in for longtime client Wildflower Mercantile, including features in BCBusiness and House & Home, helping further amplify awareness of the brand’s spring Bath, Body & Home collection and reinforcing its positioning as a premium, Canadian-made lifestyle brand rooted in natural, intentional living. 

– We marked Marin’s 4-year kin-iversary, reflecting on her time at Kin supporting clients and contributing across a wide range of projects and campaigns over the years.

– We gathered for our Semi-Annual Reviews to reflect on recent wins, set new goals, and align on priorities for the months ahead.

We’re heading into Q3 with strong momentum, great client wins behind us, and plenty more in the works. Excited for what’s ahead.

With Q1 of 2026 in the books, we’re stepping into the rest of the year with momentum, gratitude, and plenty to celebrate. The opening months of the year marked an exciting new chapter for Kin, from welcoming new clients and growing our team, to delivering standout campaigns and meaningful results.

As the Year of the Horse symbolizes energy, progress, and determination, it feels fitting for the pace we’ve set so far. We’ve hit the ground running, embraced new opportunities, and leaned into every challenge with creativity and confidence.

From successful launches and brand activations to new partnerships and internal growth, Q1 was a reminder that great work happens when strong relationships, bold ideas, and the right people come together.

Here’s a look at some of the moments, milestones, and wins that shaped the start of our year.

January

– Meet Melissa! We were thrilled to welcome Melissa to the Kin team as our newest Account Lead.

– We launched another national PR campaign to showcase Wildflower Mercantile‘s Bath, Body & Home collection, highlighting the brand’s commitment to sustainable, intentional everyday luxury through spring roundups, lifestyle features, and home inspiration stories. Keep up with the collection @wildflower_mercantile!

– We coordinated influencer visits with local creators to showcase Pokerrito’s offerings and generate authentic social content, helping drive awareness and engagement among Vancouver audiences. Local creators included @laviedetina, @honeylavenderskies, @gen.tbh, and @samiskinnerr.

 – Pam and Marin attended the Winnipeg Renovation Show, bringing Kin’s PR and digital expertise on-site for one of Canada’s leading home renovation events. With Michael Holmes Jr. headlining alongside an exciting lineup of renovation and industry experts, the Show was filled with inspiration, expert insights, and engaging experiences for attendees. The Kin team led strategic PR and communications efforts, including media relations, social media management, influencer partnerships, experiential event planning, and talent management to maximize visibility and amplify every moment of the event.

– We connected with Tourism Nanaimo to align on upcoming campaigns and media opportunities, developing fresh ideas to drive awareness and showcase everything the destination has to offer.

– We began strategizing with Chantal Schutz, CPA, CA to build her executive profile and amplify her voice as a finance leader. Through LinkedIn strategy, content development, and thought leadership opportunities, we’re excited to support Chantal in sharing her expertise and perspectives with new audiences. Check out what she’s up to on  LinkedIn. 

– One of our standout Q1 successes was supporting the expansion of Wish Dry Bar as they opened their second location inside the iconic Fairmont Pacific Rim. Kin led a strategic PR, media, and influencer campaign designed to position the brand as Vancouver’s premier luxury beauty destination, generating awareness around the launch while reinforcing Wish’s reputation for elevated styling and modern glamour. Through targeted outreach, curated influencer experiences, and compelling storytelling, we helped introduce the new downtown location, building buzz around Wish’s next chapter in one of the city’s most prestigious destinations.

February

– We presented our annual strategic plan for the 2026 BC Home + Garden Show, outlining fresh objectives and innovative tactics across media relations, social media, influencer partnerships, and experiential activations to drive awareness, engagement, and continued growth for this year’s Show.

– WINGS celebrated their 25th anniversary in a BIG way by reviving their legendary WINGS Eating Contest. After a series of local qualifying rounds across BC, 13 finalists came together at WINGS Port Moody for the ultimate championship round. Kelowna finalist, Scott Watkins, claimed the first place title. 

– Tourism Nanaimo’s “Break Spring” campaign launched with the aim to invite visitors and locals to skip the predictable and experience something a little different. Spring in Nanaimo is a little quirky, a lot bold, and entirely alive with flourishing experiences ready for devouring.

– We coordinated another content shoot with WINGS to capture engaging, on-brand photography and video assets designed to bring the restaurant experience to life across social channels. From menu highlights to the fun, social atmosphere WINGS is known for, the shoot helped build a library of fresh content for future campaigns. Follow along @great_wings.

– Our team produced fresh, on-trend video content for Ricky’s Family Restaurants and Humpty’s Restaurants, capturing signature dishes, seasonal campaigns, and social-first moments designed to connect with audiences online. As part of our ongoing content strategy, these quarterly shoots help strengthen each brand’s social media presence and showcase the experiences that keep guests coming back.

– We hit the ground running with the Winnipeg Home + Garden Show, presenting our annual strategic plan and aligning on fresh opportunities to drive awareness, engagement, and success for the 2026 event.

– February brought a few exciting adventures outside of the office, with Marin heading to France for a ski trip and Melissa enjoying a girls’ weekend getaway in New York City.

March

– We wrapped a project supporting the launch of a new product line through an experiential Food Truck campaign designed to build awareness and drive trial. The activation combined local sampling events, influencer visits, targeted digital promotion, and media relations to create meaningful connections with consumers across Metro Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and the Fraser Valley.

– We kicked off a new partnership with Aldila Boutique as they celebrated an incredible 40-year milestone. Our team hit the ground running with strategic media relations, influencer engagement, and anniversary event support to help amplify this special chapter and celebrate the brand’s longstanding connection with communities across BC and Alberta.

– We’re thrilled to support Bone & Biscuit Co. during Mental Health Month with their annual Paws for a Cause initiative in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association. Through strategic PR, media relations, and campaign storytelling, we helped spotlight the “pet effect” and the important role animals play in reducing stress, loneliness, and supporting overall wellbeing.

– We coordinated a photoshoot for Wish Dry Bar at their stunning new location inside the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, partnering with longtime collaborator Allison Kuhl Photography to capture fresh, elevated visuals that showcase the space, services, and luxury beauty experience.

– Our team gathered in Vancouver for a few days of strategy, collaboration, and team connection, while also coming together to support one of our favorite events, the BC Home + Garden Show.

– We welcomed Dana to the team this month as our new Account Executive. We’re so lucky to have her!

– The team stepped in front of the camera for a fresh team photoshoot, capturing headshots for new team members and updated imagery across the agency. The shoot marked an exciting moment of growth for Kin, reflecting the talented people behind our work and the momentum building within the business. The day gave us new branded content to elevate our social media presence, highlight our company culture, and bring a more polished energy to how we show up online.

From standout launches to strategic campaigns, team growth, and fresh creative momentum, Q1 set the pace for what’s shaping up to be an exciting new chapter at Kin. We’re proud of everything accomplished in the first quarter. 

As we continue through 2026, we’re energized by the momentum, grateful for our incredible clients and collaborators, and ready to take on what’s next with creativity, ambition, and heart.

Don’t miss a moment, follow us on Instagram @keepitkin to stay in the loop and get a behind-the-scenes look at everything we’re building this year.

Sometimes, a business can rely on word-of-mouth to keep profitable, such as those hidden gem neighbourhood cafes that only the locals know, love, and regularly frequent. Usually, however, and especially if you’re seeking to grow outside of your local neighbourhood, you’ll need some marketing and PR on your side. 

What is PR and digital marketing?

While these two umbrella terms seem similar, there’s a key difference. 

Public relations, what is commonly abbreviated as PR, primarily entails earned media. This includes media coverage, press releases, and gifted invites to encourage coverage and sharing about your business, from events to new product launches. The reason it is called earned media is because it’s free, or on a gifted or exchange basis; no spending involved. 

Digital marketing, on the other hand, consists of paid media such as digital advertising, boosted social media posts, paid media coverage, paid influencer collaborations, and so on. 

In short, PR is earned and digital marketing is paid. It’s important to understand this difference when constructing your marketing strategy and deciding how much and where to allocate your marketing budget.

In-house marketing vs a PR and digital marketing agency

There’s a few routes you can take when it comes to bringing PR and marketing professionals onto your team. The first is hiring an in-house professional, such as a social media manager. The second is to collaborate with an agency like Kin. 

Here’s when one option might be better than the other. 

Businesses seeking a stable, long-term approach to growth and that want to focus on establishing their brand with a defined audience would benefit from in-house marketing. This option is best for deepening a brand’s relationship with its audience, rather than attracting new demographics. 

Working with an agency is best for businesses venturing into new markets or experiencing a growth phase. Collaborating with an agency allows for scalability and flexibility, and agencies come with their own skilled team of professionals and a network of connections such as photographers and graphic designers who can help take your business further. 

Marketing agencies are best for brands with big campaigns and growth-focused strategies. Kin recently wrapped up two big campaigns of this kind – Superflux’s 5th Anniversary and WINGS’ Chicken Wing Day promotion, just a few examples of what a marketing agency can do for you!

Whether you decide to hire in-house or work with a marketing agency largely depends on your business goals. 

What services does a PR and digital marketing agency offer?

Agencies often offer an array of services that can be customized according to your marketing strategy. 

At kin, we offer strategy development, social media management, media relations and crisis communication, influencer and brand engagement, digital advertising, visual content creation, experiential event planning, email marketing and design, and copywriting services. 

Here’s a quick overview of what these services look like in action. 

• Strategy – We uncover everything from your brand’s origin story and values to opportunities left vacant by its competitors to develop a strategic plan that’s uniquely yours.
• Social media management – From brand launch to a total brand refresh, our social media strategies focus on engagement and growth, not just posting. 
• Media relations and crisis communication – We specialize in creating press materials, pitching stories, earning media coverage in magazines, blogs, radio, TV, and podcasts, and emergency crisis communication if something goes wrong. 
• Influencer and brand engagement – We get your product in the hands of influencers to develop content to expose your brand to their followers, as well as dream up collaborations between your brand and aligned businesses for activations like giveaways and pop-up shops. 
• Digital advertising – Our digital advertising campaigns ensure we’re reaching your target audience, supporting the growth of your sales, and increase your following.
• Visual content creation – We work with experienced photographers, videographers, animators and graphic designers to create still images for media, dynamic video clips for social content, design for branded collateral and much more. 
• Experiential event planning – We produce impactful events that connect your brand with targeted media, influencers, partners, and consumers and create experiences that resonate with the right people. 
• Email marketing and design – We use thoughtful design and applications to connect your brand with your audience via email, and convert readers into customers. 
• Copywriting – We offer copywriting and content writing services for your website and platforms to help elevate your brand using the written word, from sprucing up your bio to elevating a blog post. 

A PR and marketing agency will offer similar services, which you’ll oftentimes be able to customize into your own unique marketing strategy. Once you decide on an agency, there will be a few steps to take before you can begin to work together and start seeing real results.

At Kin, our client onboarding process begins with a discovery call where we discuss your brand and business goals. If we feel there’s alignment and once the contract is signed, we send you an intake form to fill out so that we can get a detailed sense of where your business stands and what you’re looking to achieve. Once we have an understanding of where your business is standing, we’ll set up a kick-off meeting where we’ll present you with a kick-off deck that goes over our scope of work, objectives, and next steps.  

The agency you decide to move forward with should have a similar onboarding process that takes into account your brand’s current positioning, your brand values and mission, and your business goals and objectives.

If you’d like to work with Kin, take a closer look at what we offer to make sure we’re the right fit for you, and get in touch! 

Though our back-to-school days are over, the fall still feels like a reset. Maybe it’s the shorter days and the return of pumpkin spice flavours or the new fiscal year, but this season always makes us want to deep-dive into planning and organizing. Here’s what we did at kin to refresh, revise, and plan ahead for the fall, and three simple steps that your business or agency can take as well.

Conduct An Audit

Just like some set new year resolutions in January to start the new year on the right foot, we conducted audits in September to start the new fiscal year with a clean-er, more tidy slate. 

We took a close look at what’s working both for kin and for our clients, and what isn’t. While we conduct regular audits for all our clients, autumn is when we take a deeper dive into our strategy and deliverables for each client. This encompasses social media management, digital marketing and advertising strategies, influencer engagements, public relations, and content creation, which are some of the services we offer at kin. For kin, our self-audit takes a look at how our business is doing and includes a competitive analysis as well as an internal analysis. 

Recently, we conducted a social media audit for several of our clients, including Ricky’s Restaurants, Humpty’s, Pokerrito, WINGS, and Superflux Beer Company which all received updated Instagram highlights and refreshed social media bios. 

Organize Your Workspace

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as an organized workspace, both digital and physical. Files and papers get accidentally misplaced throughout the year which is why September is the perfect time to reorganize. 

The kin team set aside some time during our work hours on a Friday to get together and collaborate on decluttering and re-organizing our shared Google Drive workspace. Fridays are also when everyone works a half-day thanks to our 4.5 day work week. As a team, we were able to get the task done in a matter of a few hours. Go team!

Plan Ahead

As with anything in marketing, you need a plan. Which is why we like to use this time to thoroughly prepare for the eventful months ahead.

What we plan for can look different from client to client. For our latest client WINGS, we’re excited to leverage the busy sports season of NFL, NHL, and NBA games. Meanwhile, for Pokerrito we’re leaning towards monthly themes such as the coziness of fall and the merriness of the Christmas season. 

For such planning, we develop and present strategy and tactical plans to our clients that take into account these key marketing moments over the next quarter. 

As we wind down from the slower pace of summer, it’s important to keep organized and plan far in advance. In September, we’re already starting to think about Christmas holiday tactics!

We also keep our own marketing top of mind, and with Riley having travelled out to Toronto this month the team was able to sit down for an IRL brainstorm together.

This month, Superflux Beer Company celebrated its 5-year anniversary and tapped kin to help spread the word of its week-long birthday festivities.

The beloved brewery has amassed a cult-like following in Vancouver since opening at 505 Clark Drive in 2020, popular for its tasteful brews, exceptional hot dogs, and IPA savvy. To celebrate its 5th birthday on August 16, Superflux held a big birthday party and a week of special events at the brewery as well as released multiple beer collaborations, including two special anniversary beers – the Anniversary IPA in collaboration with Threefold and, in collaboration with actor Steven Ogg, the Habanero Happyness.

Throughout the anniversary campaign, kin secured a mix of lifestyle and trade media coverage of Superflux’s 5th Birthday Party in Vancouver Is Awesome, CTV News, Daily Hive, Scout Magazine, and a feature story with Superflux’s co-founder Adam Henderson in the Georgia Straight. We also coordinated media and influencer visits to the brewery to celebrate the anniversary. 

On the day of the birthday bash, Superflux saw a wave of congratulations and support on social media from local fans, as well as a big turnout at the event, including visits from influencers @vancitywander and @tannedandhow. 

That week, Superflux saw an incredible increase across metrics on Instagram, with impressions jumping by 300% and engagements by 38%. The account also gained around 200 followers that week. This data reaffirms Superflux’s status as a go-to brewery in Vancouver and its loving, loyal fan base.

We’re excited about such great results for Superflux’s anniversary, including local media coverage and an incredible in-person event turnout, thanks to kin’s focus on media pitching and social media engagement. 

Happy birthday Superflux!

In June, kin welcomed WINGS Restaurants to our client roster, and we couldn’t be more excited about this partnership. 

Founded in British Columbia, WINGS Restaurants has become a beloved local destination for bold flavours, memorable moments, and game-day energy. With 28 award-winning wing flavours at the heart of their menu and a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere, WINGS brings together families, friends, and sports fans alike across 15 locations in the Lower Mainland and beyond.

WINGS has partnered with kin to create buzz and brand awareness with a focused social media and influencer engagement strategy. Together, we’re refreshing WINGS’ digital presence with consistent, crave-worthy content, strategic influencer collaborations, and a tone that reflects WINGS’ love for food, fun, and sports.

Since taking over WINGS’ social media on June 16, we’ve delivered strong early results across key performance metrics. In just over six weeks, total impressions grew by 18.4% to more than 2.27 million, while total engagements jumped by nearly 50%, indicating our content is not only being seen more but is also resonating more deeply with audiences. 

WINGS’ first campaign with kin launched at the end of July and saw incredible results.

National Chicken Wing Day: Kin Strategy + WINGS Wins

For National Chicken Wing Day on July 29 this year, kin helped WINGS launch their $1 Crunch Time Wings dine-in special. 

The special offer was available for one day only on July 29, but kin had been planning the one-day campaign for long before the kick-off date. Kin developed a strategy that encompassed social media promotion and paid ads, which brought in increased sales and social media engagement.

For this campaign we incorporated influencer marketing into our strategy to push the campaign on social media. We find influencers are and continue to be an effective marketing tactic for engaging in new audiences and building brand awareness on social media.

We tapped @babiitranxo and @eatswithbecca, two Vancouver-based micro-influencers in the local food scene for a gifted influencer visit to WINGS Downtown Tap + Social. We had them come in to experience the $1 Crunch Wing special, and were pleased to see both influencers organically share stories and reels promoting the deal. 

We also ran a sponsored ad on Facebook ahead of National Chicken Wing Day, which saw 61k impressions and over 2k click-throughs. WINGS’ email promotion also helped drive sales.

When the $1 Crunch Time Wings dine-in deal went live on Tuesday, July 29, WINGS stores reported either double or triple typical Tuesday sales, including orders that weren’t chicken wings. 

We’re thrilled to see such great results from kin’s first campaign with WINGS, thanks to a strategy that combined paid ads, email marketing, and influencer marketing.

Summer is always a lively, vibrant season at kin. We see it on our social feeds, filled with photographed memories of lake days, markets, and camping, and on our calendars with many holidays, weekend getaways, and bachelorettes being booked off. 

Summertime at kin is busy, fun, and balanced.

With Pam having joined Marin out east in Q2 this year, our team is split between Vancouver and Toronto. We love being present in both cities at the same time. 

This summer, kin is spending the sunny days exploring the best of what each city has to offer. We’re discovering local gems, finding our favourite food spots, and venturing into the outdoors. 

When it comes to summer, these are some of our favourites here at kin!

What’s your favourite summer activity in or around Vancouver/Toronto?

Pam: Anything outdoors! I love camping, sitting by the pool, taking long walks with my dogs or hitting a patio! 

Marin: Hiking! In my hiking girl era – so many great spots in Collingwood and nothing beats jumping in the bay after!

Riley: I love swimming and just getting outside! My favourite swim spots are Cultus Lake, Smugglers Cove on the Sunshine Coast and the Squamish River.

Maria: Paddleboarding (such a Vancouverite answer!). It seems like everyone in Vancouver has a paddleboard nowadays, but with the abundance of lakes and beaches around Metro Vancouver it’s simply the perfect summer activity. 

What’s your favourite food or drink spot in the city this summer (and what do you love getting there?)

Pam: I’ve been loving the rooftop patio at Gusto 501 this summer – their Carbonara Pizza is my fave!

Marin: Just tried Dear Grain in Toronto and I’m obsessed – their iced matcha latte hits the spot, and the cinnamon raisin sourdough is a standout!

Riley: Two words, Patio. Margarita. My favourites have been Hugo’s, Lucky Taco, and Cactus

Maria: This summer I’m in my matcha era so I’ve been visiting a lot of cafes around the city. A lot of the spots on my matcha bucket list are inspired from social media, and I’ve been on a bit of a side quest this summer trying to visit some of Vancouver’s coolest matcha cafes. I even stood in the winding line outside Cowdog in Kitsilano, but the wait was worth it. Next on my list is Boba Run, which is boba x matcha x coffee — all my favourite drinks in one! 

What’s your favourite community gem in Vancouver/Toronto? 

Pam: I’ve been loving the outdoor movie nights at Corktown Commons 

Marin: Just remembered how much I love Formula Fig facials! I went back after winning one through our mental health awareness bingo challenge, and now I’m definitely planning to make it a regular thing.

Riley: Monday’s Run Club!!

Maria: We Should Be Friends! I’m yet to go to an event but I very much love the initiative.

What’s your favourite part of being in Vancouver/Toronto in the summer?

Pam: What I love about both Vancouver and Toronto is that the cities come alive in the summer. The energy in both cities is infectious and I always make a point to spend as much time outside as possible. 

Marin: Local farmers’ markets – nothing better than picking up fresh produce and wandering around with an iced coffee.

Riley: All the fresh fruit stands and local produce

Maria: Vancouver truly comes to life in the summer. Everybody is outside and making the most of the great weather, festivals and outdoors events are popping up left and right, and the city itself is so beautiful. I love how lively this season is!

Your on-repeat song this summer is…

Marin: Easy Does It by Goldford – on repeat all summer, thanks TikTok!

Riley: Anything Country !! 

Maria: I’m loving Addison Rae this summer, especially “Headphones On” and “Fame is a Gun”

Your most recent trip this summer? 

Pam: We recently took a road trip with our two pups across Canada where we stopped in BC, AB, MB and SK and finished with a week in Northern Ontario. Everything about the trip was perfect and it was really cool to explore parts of Canada I haven’t been before. Saskatoon, SK and camping at Pancake Bay Provincial Park in Northern Ontario were two of the many highlights. 

Marin: I spent June and July up in Muskoka this summer. It’s always my favourite time of year!

Riley: I recently went to the Sunshine Coast up to Pender Harbour and had the best weekend. We stayed at Stonewater Motel, went to the beach, local restaurants and hiked Pender Hill.

Maria: I went to Whistler over the August long weekend and it was such a fun getaway! It’s been years since I’ve been up there so it was great to do some cycling, swimming, and strolling around the village. 

What’s one summer activity you’ve never done but want to try?

Pam: Running outside!  I’m in my treadmill running era right now but hoping to get outside more while it’s still nice. 

Marin: I say this every summer, but I really do need to finally take some golf lessons – this might be the year!

Riley: Backpacking Camping! I’d love to try a small hike and stay overnight on a beautiful mountain

Maria: Wakeboarding! I’ve done skateboarding, snowboarding, and even surfing, but never wakeboarding. It looks so much fun!

Spring brought the energy – and so did our clients. From launching crave-worthy menus and executing national campaigns to taking care of our team and ourselves, Q2 was packed with momentum.

Here’s a peek into how we showed up:

April

– Spring was in full bloom! We helped Ricky’s and Humpty’s launch their spring feature menus with a delicious content shoot. This time, we went heavy on video to drive engagement and generate serious buzz across their social channels.

– Marin made her way to the Winnipeg Home + Garden Show. From leading media relations to running the Show’s social media, planning influencer experiences, and curating on-site moments – we helped bring it all to life. With Scott McGillivray headlining and a stacked expert lineup, the Show delivered major inspo to homeowners. The results? 52 media hits, 80M+ potential reach, 821 total mentions, $1.8M PR value.

– A warm kin welcome! This month, we were joined by our intern Katrina! She jumped headfirst into the world of PR and digital marketing.

 – Our client Maple Organics shook things up with the launch of their Cramp Pain Relief Balm. We executed a targeted influencer drop that sparked massive love online – so much so that the website literally crashed. Back online now at mapleorganics.com, and stocked across Loblaws, Whole Foods, Thrifty Foods, and Sobeys.
 
– The Automatic Message premiered EMDR, an immersive film installation exploring the deeply personal journey of healing from PTSD. The exhibit ran from April 4–12, Tuesday to Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at VIVO Media Arts in East Van. We secured coverage including Georgia Straight, Vancouver Sun, Scout, VITA and many others.

May

– To mark Mental Health Awareness Month, our team leaned into rest, reconnection, and routine. Our wellness Bingo Challenge inspired mindful moments – like solo walks, screen breaks, and reaching out to loved ones. Because wellness is work worth doing.

– We presented our annual Strategic Plan for Humpty’s Big Plate Diner, outlining fresh goals, bold campaigns, and month-by-month tactics to help drive brand love and growth in the year ahead.

– We also presented a Strategic Plan for our client, Pokerrito to set the tone for upcoming content and campaigns – serving up big ideas with even bigger impact.

– Pam attended a workshop with The Roy Group’s Leadership Coaching workshop in Victoria, BC with the team at W Venture.

– Pam and Riley joined the scene at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, celebrating the best of the city’s food and drink. A night full of flavour, connection, and inspiration.

– We’re thrilled to support Stripped Wax Co as they celebrate 15 years as BC’s go-to for pro waxing. Our team is driving a Canada-wide anniversary campaign with national media outreach and curated influencer partnerships. Follow the fun @stripped.waxco!

– We welcomed Maria to the team this quarter as our new Account Coordinator. We’re so lucky to have her!

– We wrapped up our project work with The Good Sauna, which resulted in 28 mentions and 1.3m in potential reach through influencer visits and media coverage.

– We took a grounding team visit to The Good Sauna, connecting offline to recharge, reflect, and – of course – sweat it out together. Balance matters, and so does sauna time.

– We welcomed @great_wings to our client roster! A BC-born favourite, @great_wings has built a legacy of bold flavours, unforgettable game days, and bringing people together across 15 locations and counting. Together, we’re refreshing WINGS’ digital presence by amplifying their story through thoughtful strategy, consistent content, and influencer collaborations.

June

– Marin celebrated her birthday in Muskoka and enjoyed a month of working remotely in cottage country!

– We gathered for our Semi-Annual Reviews, reflecting on wins, setting new goals, and aligning on where we’re headed next.

– We met with the Marketplace Events team to brainstorm and get excited for what’s coming next to the Home Shows.

– As we geared up to re-launch @great_wings on social media, we held a content shoot at their newest Downtown Vancouver location to capture video content that aligned with their brand and vision. We also worked with Allison Kuhl Photography on a photoshoot to create an updated collection of food photos and highlight the summer menu.  

– We produced fresh, on-trend video content for FDF Brandz, spotlighting Ricky’s and Humpty’s seasonal menu items in a way that’s made to move on social.

– Stripped Wax Co officially celebrated their 15th anniversary – and we made sure it landed with impact. A photoshoot with our longtime collaborator Allison Kuhl Photography captured fresh visuals for the milestone campaign. Influencer visits helped spread the love far and wide. Media coverage rolled in from The Kit, The Globe and Mail, and Canadian SME Small Business Magazine.

– The kin team got together for Happy Hour at Superflux to give Pam a happy send-off before her move to Toronto.

– In June, we raised a glass to Marin’s 3 years at kin. Happy kin-iversary to Marin!

 – Pam kicked off a cross-Canada road trip and made the big move to Toronto at the end of June.

 – We had several influencer visits to Pokerrito for their Patio Bundle and Summer Kick-Off campaigns and saw shares from local creators including @justwalls @stephanie.ntx @relishwithreese @alyssatryons @sierraoliviaa and @venesia.wijaya 

As spring turned into summer, we left Q2 with full calendars, full hearts, and lots to celebrate. As we move into the second half of the year, we’re focused, energized, and ready for what’s next.

With the first quarter of 2025 behind us, we’re reflecting on a season packed with purpose, creativity, and connection. From launching exciting campaigns to deepening relationships with our incredible clients, Q1 was full of memorable moments and meaningful wins. Our team showed up with passion and purpose every step of the way.

Here are some key highlights, client successes, and everything in between:

January

– We rang in 2025 with our team’s favourite tradition: the annual vision-boarding workshop. It gave us space to reflect, reconnect, and get inspired for what’s ahead.

– This quarter, we began collaborating with The Good Sauna, an immersive outdoor retreat that fuses the best of Finnish sauna culture with cold therapy and fireside connection. Our team is focused on strengthening their presence through strategic influencer partnerships and media outreach.

– Our team had the opportunity to travel to some amazing destinations this month: Marin soaked up the sun in the Dominican Republic, Riley visited Cabo, and Pam kicked off 2025 in Whistler.

 – We had the pleasure of supporting Ricky’s Family Restaurants in its participation in Dine Out Vancouver – Canada’s largest celebration of food and drink. Ricky’s served up an exclusive menu at 13 locations across Greater Vancouver, and we brought the flavour to life through a strategic mix of social media storytelling, influencer partnerships, and targeted digital advertising. The result? A total potential reach of 1.3 million and a whole lot of buzz!
 
– We took a day trip to Nanaimo with Hullo and met in person with our client, Tourism Nanaimo, to discuss plans for 2025.

– We partnered with Maple Organics to spotlight a clean, science-backed solution for menstrual discomfort: their Cramp Pain Relief balm. Crafted with potent botanical ingredients, this all-natural formula delivers fast, effective relief – without the chemicals. To launch the balm, we executed a targeted influencer campaign, sending thoughtfully curated packages to leading voices in the lifestyle and wellness space, including @spencer.barbosa, @melissawoodtepperberg, and @thekelseyrose_. Stay tuned for exciting results!

– Another Winnipeg Renovation Show in the books – and what a show it was! With the one and only Bryan Baeumler headlining alongside an exciting lineup of industry experts, the event was packed with inspiration. The kin team was on-site, leading the charge on PR strategy through targeted media relations, social media management, influencer engagements, experiential event planning, and talent management to amplify every moment of the Show.

– Marin stopped by a local Global Vintners Inc. retailer to dive into the craft-your-own wine experience – and capture every step on video. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a beginner, Global Vintners provides everything you need to create premium, personalized wines. Follow along at @winexpertofficial and @vineco to learn more.

– The team stayed sharp and inspired by attending webinars hosted by Monday Girl, Sprout Social, and Meltwater – diving into the latest industry insights, emerging trends, and best practices shaping the world of PR and digital marketing.

February

– We hosted an unforgettable influencer event at The Good Sauna, spotlighting their special location and previewing some exciting upcoming events. Guests enjoyed refreshing cold plunges, soothing sauna sessions, and relaxed fireside moments – all while sipping on refreshing drinks from Container Brewing.

– We partnered with our long-time client, Famoso, to craft a strategic PR plan aimed at elevating awareness and generating excitement for their Guest Appreciation Month. By leveraging media relations and influencer collaborations, we achieved an impressive total potential reach of 1.2 million and a PRV of $18k. Key media outlets featured in the campaign included Franchise Canada, Surrey Now, and Canadian SME Small Business Magazine, while top foodie influencers like @curatedkw, @foodgressing, and @food_with_howie  helped amplify the message to their engaged audiences.

– This month, we wrapped up a successful collaboration with Dr. Bea Mackay – author, Registered Psychologist, and thought leader. The project garnered impressive coverage across both local and national media outlets, including: BC Today, VITA, and OptiMYz.

– We presented our spring 2025 Strategic Plan for our client Pokerrito!

– We presented our 2025 Strategic Plan for our client ABC Country Cranbrook. These plans outline objectives and goals for the upcoming year, paired with exciting and engaging campaigns for each month.

March

– Our team has been leading quarterly video shoots for our long-time client, Ricky’s Family Restaurants, showcasing their iconic breakfast dishes, seasonal campaigns, and exciting promotions. Through this content, we’re driving engagement and elevating visibility for the brand. Head over to @rickysfamilyrestaurants to see the magic we’re creating!

– The BC Home + Garden Show was bursting with spring inspiration featuring a presentation by Sarah Richardson, designer, TV host, producer, and author. We kicked things off with an exclusive opening night event for influencers and media, including two interactive workshops led by @theknottygarden and @honeybeezen. Plus, the show hosted ‘Deck Wars,’ a styling competition where local Vancouver creators @alifewellconsumed, @lifeisbetterathome, and @austynpaula showcased their talent. Each deck was bursting with personality, creativity, and fresh design inspiration.

– Pam and Riley attended the second annual WORTH Summit — the only event in Western Canada focused on empowering women in recreation, tourism, and hospitality. It was an inspiring day filled with leaders working to uplift women, strengthen businesses, and push the industry forward.

– Pam attended the Vancouver Women in Commercial Photography and Production Event at Crane Studio, which highlighted 6 top Female commercial photographers showcasing each woman’s work and journey.

– We worked with a new client, The Automatic Message to spread buzz and awareness about EMDR, an immersive film installation exploring the deeply personal journey of healing from PTSD. The exhibit ran from  April 4–12 at VIVO Media Arts in East Van. We secured coverage highlighting the exhibit, including VITA, Curiocity and Megaphone.

– We presented an exciting Strategic Plan for the year ahead to Ricky’s Family Restaurants, packed with innovative tactics designed to keep the brand top-of-mind for both families and foodies. This plan focuses on driving engagement, increasing visibility, and reinforcing Ricky’s reputation as Canada’s ultimate breakfast destination.

– Pam attended Clarté, an immersive, high-impact experience for visionary female founders.

– We began strategizing and brainstorming with new client, Josh Gale, Private Chef & Culinary Director. We’re excited to be supporting Josh with brand partnerships, talent management, and more behind-the-scenes magic. Check out what he’s cooking up over at @theChefOutWest.

– Riley welcomed a new member to her family, a golden retriever/aussie shepherd puppy named Maverick!

From immersive events to strategic wins, Q1 set the tone for what’s shaping up to be an incredible year at kin. We’re energized by the momentum, grateful for our amazing clients and collaborators, and excited for what’s ahead.

Don’t miss a moment – follow us on Instagram to stay in the loop and catch a behind-the-scenes look at everything we’re working on!

As the year wraps up, our team takes time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past 12 months. This tradition has become a meaningful way to celebrate our successes and recognize the hard work and dedication of everyone on our team. Here are our 24 agency highlights of 2024:

– We welcomed a new team member – Lisa! Lisa is kin’s account coordinator and we’re so happy to have her. We will be celebrating her one-year anniversary in January!

– Worked with several new clients including Winexpert and VineCo, Pokerrito, Dr. Bea Mackay, REW, Jilly Box, Mackenzie Village, Tourism Nanaimo, Botanica Tulip Festival, Friday Harbour, Vancouver Urban Collective including Havana, Flamingo Room, Vancouver Urban Winery and Belgard Kitchen.

– In the spring  Tourism Nanaimo underwent an exciting rebrand led by Partners & Hawes that highlights the unique character of the vibrant Vancouver Island community. This project generated 259 brand mentions, 26 million impressions and $591k in public relations value. We’re excited to continue our work with them in 2025, so stay tuned for more to come!

 – We found comfort and inspiration in our new office space at WerkLab! While kin is a hybrid workplace, we love having a home base to work from, encouraging team members in the Lower Mainland to work in-office when they can to allow for collaboration and connection.
 
– Botanica Tulip Festival opened in Chilliwack for its first year. Throughout the project, we generated a total potential reach of 25.8m, 777 combined social media and media mentions and a public relations value (PRV) of over $510k.

– We welcomed Global Vintners Inc. to our roster of clients including their brands Winexpert and VineCo. Winexpert and VineCo offer the best grapes from the world’s top wine regions, carefully selecting only the highest quality grape juices and concentrates, ensuring the best flavour, aroma and varietal character of any winemaking experience.

– We worked with Pokerrito on several summer campaigns highlighting their seasonal offerings and store openings which resulted in coverage from Georgia Straight, Retail Insider, Food Service and Hospitality among others. We recently welcomed them as a full-time client supporting social media management and influencer marketing, take a look at our work.

– We executed a summer campaign with our client Friday Harbour. This campaign resulted in excellent coverage from Canadian Media outlets including ELLE, National Post, Vancouver Sun, Cottage Life, and Canadian Living Magazine and featured organic sharing from notable Canadian lifestyle influencers including @tessalindsaygarcia (128k), @carajourdan (333k), @mayakapouranis (38k), @kthillier (327k) and @jessicruickshank (180k).

– We supported our client Odihi with their second Bigger Ideas Conference, where leaders like @xoreni, @yourcareercontact, and @the_kreactivator shared their expertise. We saw firsthand how the Bigger Ideas Conference provided opportunities for women to elevate their ideas and connect with leaders who can empower, and support them, helping them succeed in life, career, or business. We were so honoured to sit on a panel with @easyconsultingstudio to chat about all things PR & digital marketing.

– Completed another year of Marketplace Event’s Home Shows, the Winnipeg Renovation Show, BC Home + Garden Show, Winnipeg Home + Garden Show and Vancouver Fall Home Show.

– We celebrated work anniversaries including Riley (4) and Marin (2).

– We worked with hundreds of content creators and influencers to successfully execute multiple campaigns and brand launches.

– We worked with Dr. Bea Mackay: author, Registered Psychologist, and thought leader. We’ve developed a comprehensive strategy for Dr. Bea which includes securing media coverage in both local and national outlets to highlight her expertise and enhance her profile as a thought leader through speaking engagements. 

– Looking to rent or own? Then you’ve probably heard of our client, REW! We partnered with them to promote their new season of RealTours with an experiential event and PR campaign to build excitement for the Season 2 launch. We saw coverage in Vancouver Sun, Business in Vancouver and VITA among others.

– We worked with our client Pumpkins After Dark for the third year. This Halloween extravaganza returned to Burnaby from October 3rd-31st. Our team helped build excitement for the returning event and invited media and influencers to a special Sneak-A-Peek Night before the official opening. We saw coverage in Vancouver’s Best Places, Burnaby Now, and Daily Hive Vancouver

– We partnered with The Jilly Box to celebrate their five-year anniversary, during which they opened subscription spots for their highly sought-after quarterly box. We saw coverage in Canadian Living, Vancouver Sun, and National Post!

– We welcomed Vancouver Urban Collective to our client roster along with their restaurants Havana, Flamingo Room, Vancouver Urban Winery and Belgard Kitchen. We’ve already secured great coverage for the restaurants highlighting seasonal menu offerings and drink specials from Elle Canada, Daily Hive, BC Business, and Vancouver Is Awesome among others.

– Our team loves exploring the world! Marin visited France and New York, Riley explored Iceland and France, Pam traveled to Italy and Spain, and Lisa enjoyed time in Barcelona and Mexico City this year.

– In May, we celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month by prioritizing wellness and mental health in the workplace. Each team member set a personal goal for the month to support their mental well-being. We engaged in open discussions about our current mental health practices and participated in a workshop led by Heather Murray, a Holistic Integrative Health & Wellness Coach. We also scheduled time during our workweek to get outside for walks and launched a May “Steps” Challenge to encourage outdoor activity. The month concluded with a Day of Mindfulness on May 31st, giving our team a day off to reflect and recharge.

– Famoso partnered with Kin to develop a strategic public relations plan aimed at increasing awareness and generating excitement for Famosofest, as well as the brand’s new partnership with Steamworks Brewing Co. As part of this campaign, we organized targeted influencer and media visits and facilitated media opportunities. These efforts led to extensive coverage in Retail Insider, Franchise Canada, Food Service & Hospitality, Surrey Now, and Daily Hive.

– Ricky’s has kept the same delicious flavours, but we’ve completely transformed our social media strategy for this longtime client. By shifting to a video-focused approach, @rickysfamilyrestaurants has experienced a significant boost in engagement, with followers connecting like never before. Take a look at the transformation and stay tuned for more tasty updates!

– We made an effort to attend several workshops, webinars, and conferences through Monday Girl, Sprout Social and Meltwater!

– We worked with multiple partners and local brands to execute events, photoshoots and campaigns including Partner & Hawes, The Rooted Table, Allison Kuhl, and Mediology Media among others.

– We had our annual retreat and holiday party on Mayne Island, celebrating a year of big wins where the team enjoyed 3 days of quality time and having fun.