Story idea submitted by Dr. John Conrad, Director, Innovation and Business Engagement, Innovation and Partnerships
SLC students in several different programs are working in partnership with Launch Lab to help Eastern Ontario businesses move to digital platforms as part of their recovery from the pandemic. The platform, called Digital Main Street, is a program funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) with the Future Proof portion of the program run by Launch Lab, with support from Invest Ottawa, an economic development agency for knowledge-based industries in Canada’s Capital, facilitating economic growth and job creation in the City of Ottawa.
Through the program, Launch Lab is working with post-secondary students and recent graduates who are supported by local experts to provide digital marketing solutions to regional businesses. Of the 75 students hired from Eastern Ontario, 20 are from SLC, and of the 15 teams assembled, six are headed by an SLC student.
Five disciplines are represented from SLC: graphic designers, web developers, copywriters, User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) designers, and digital marketers. Depending on client need their work encompasses content creation, Google My Business, UX enhancements, CSS/Java coding, website design and development, social media marketing strategies, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine results page/marketing, logos, brochures, PowerPoint templates, letterheads, email marketing setup and automation, brand kits, and more.
"It has been an absolute pleasure working with SLC students as part of the Digital Main Street Future Proof Program," said Scott Runté, CEO of Launch Lab. "The businesses that have been through the program have raved about the student’s skills and professionalism, and I can tell you that the work they performed will make a huge difference to the future of these small businesses."
"As a Digital Marketing Communication (DMC) graduate, I felt my textbook-to-workplace transition was seamless. I have been able to guide businesses looking to transform their online business models while introducing them to today's top industry digital trends. Leading my team to provide top agency-quality work to small businesses across the province has been such a rewarding experience," said Hayden Major.
Since Digital Main Street’s launch in July 2020, students have worked with over 200 businesses. Businesses have spanned Eastern Ontario, from Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Brockville, Leeds and Grenville, Lanark, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington, Belleville, Quinte West, Hastings, Prince Edward, Northumberland, Peterborough, and Kawartha Lakes. The project has recently been extended until the end of June.
Participating SLC Students
Logan Frost, Digital Marketer
Ryan Arnold, Copywriter
Abby Kary, Digital Marketer, Team Captain
Hayden Major, Digital Marketer, Team Captain
Gaveshini Sriyananda, UX/UI Designer
Kevin Brosso, Graphic Designer
Denny Mohan George, Graphic Designer
Christopher Mcmillan, Web Designer
Amie Plume, Copywriter
Shane Boudreau, Copywriter, Team Captain
Graeme McLean, Digital Marketer
Jonathan Elliot, Web Designer
Michael Eady, UX/UI Designer, Team Captain
Rejean Lagasse, Web Developer
Lourenço Montibello, Digital Marketer, Team Captain
Branden Graf, Copywriter
Colton Jung, Digital Marketer, Team Captain
Kenneth Wilson, Web Designer
Varun Singh, Digital Marketer
Malik Johnson, Graphic Designer