Testimonials – Projects

Some of the Fun Things We Have Done

Building a Better World.

[Online Training]

Sales | Marketing | Operations | Everything Digital

An argument can change the mood, but education can change the mind.

It’s a big goal – help bring people together on a mission to help all Canadians learn more about each other to further break down barriers of racism, ignorance, and misinformation.  Many people in Canada have grown up “innocently ignorant” of much of the story of Canada as it relates to Indigenous peoples and our shared history.  But we know that Education leads to Awareness which leads to better outcomes. So, we’re on a mission to help change the world through the power of education – by changing hearts and minds and encouraging compassion, awareness, and understanding.

We helped create a comprehensive set of training programs to reduce the barriers to learning. 

Over the last 30 years, we have developed training courses and curriculum to promote awareness of Indigenous peoples and our collective history – including present day current realities.  From workbooks to PowerPoint slides on CD-ROM to a fully transactional online LMS (Learning Management System), we helped develop training curriculum and online programs that impact lives for the better.  Overseeing the digital presence and website as well, we built a fully-automated payment system with robust student management features and group administration. Together, we are affecting change for the better.

RESULT:  Lives are changed.  Barriers are broken down. Constructive dialogue increases. Over 1000+ unique clients. More than 3000 live workshop attendees. Over 54,000 online students.

Join the conversation at www.indigenousawarenesscanada.com today.

Indigenous Awareness Canada website
Indigenous Awareness Canada Logo
Indigenous Awareness Canada website
Keefer Lake Catskiing Website
Keefer Lake Catskiing Logo
Keefer Lake Catskiing Website

Ski Lodge Purr-fection.

[Catskiing Startup]

Sales Strategy | Marketing Strategy | Branding & Image | Social Media | Partner Programs | Media Relations | Customer Service | Online Bookings | Everything Digital

When you have a dream for 25 years and then get a chance to act on it… you might go find a mesmerizing lake in Canada and then build a stunning lodge so you can ski untouched deep powder forever.  Keefer Lake’s owners chose ARIL to help build the best new Mountain Lodge and Catskiing operation in Canada. Period.

When it comes to skiing, the Monashee mountains are where it is at.  The deepest, driest, fluffiest snow on the planet.  Big mountains, open bowls, perfect old-growth forests, and pristine views that catch your breath on every turn.  Add a timber lodge with a glass elevator and giant windows overlooking the lake.  And a custom-built snowcat cabin with bucket seats, Bluetooth stereo, flat-screen television, and individual goggle and glove warmers. Everything is built with the ultimate customer experience in mind.

From Day 1 we have been the fully-outsourced Sales & Marketing team.  We’ve worked on everything from brand to product pricing to program logistics to marketing to partnerships and more. 

Our goal was to build a brand and customer experience.  From website design and build to the creation of partner programs, from advertising campaigns to fully-automated online bookings, we’ve put them firmly on the map and top of mind with destination skiers.  We’ve helped them grow from an unknown startup to a firmly recognized brand in just 2 seasons, breaking sales and growth records along the way.

RESULT:  Fastest growing catski operation in BC. Over 20,000 followers on social media in 12 months.  Zero to over $2 million online sales in 18 months. Over 90% SOLD OUT in second season.

Come dream with us at www.keeferlakelodge.com.

Big Hits and Big Hoops.

[Sports Camps]

Brand | Graphic Design | Website Design | Online Booking Engine | Online Sales

Running sports camps for hundreds of kids is a daunting task.  The logistics, schedules, venues, waivers, equipment, kids, parents, and coaches must be coordinated – and everyone kept up-to-date in a constantly changing environment.  It’s heavy on administration and easy to get lost in details and paperwork.  And being successful – marketing to families and kids who sign up for camp – is rewarded with even more administration.

We automated over 90% of the administration and saved thousands of hours of data entry. We made complex processes simple and gave high-touch customers all the info they could ever need.

Ian and Sean helped design and build front-end and back-end systems so that coaches can coach, and kids can play sports.  We built responsive websites that are fully integrated with marketing and social media plans. We built a fully transactional online Registration system and Payment Processing system.

Then we connected it all together in a workflow that makes it easy for everyone – players, coaches, their families, and the staff running the camps. Players are kept up to date with any last-minute changes, coaches receive up-to-date manifests and easy access to emergency medical contacts and other important information.

RESULT: Built all digital assets for two (2) different sports camp companies – volleyball and basketball.  Reduced administration and errors while improving the customer experience and satisfaction.  Improved their ability to outreach which directly led to increased sales.  Reduced admin lowered both the cost-of-sales and ongoing operation costs – less time is spent searching, copying, pasting, and handling exceptions.

Get ready for game day at www.hoopstrengthbasketball.com.

Hoopstrength Website
Hoopstrength Logo
Hoopstrength Website
Kingfisher Heliskiing Website
Kingfisher Logo
Kingfisher Heliskiing Website

Friends… Even on a Powder Day.

[Heliski Startup]

Social Media | Media Buying |Online Sales | Ad Strategy | Brand | Graphic Design | Resident Photographer

“Accommodating. Experienced. All about the skiing. These guys love the mountains and love making friends.” That’s how people describe the friendly ski guides who own and run the newest Heliski outfit in BC’s powder-filled mountains. At one point they were a couple of guides with just a web domain, a ski tenure, and a lot of passion. Now they have a passionate community and every day brings fresh tracks.

“Talk to Sean. He’s the web guy. He does all the marketing and digital stuff.” That’s how those friendly guides describe Sean. He’s the acting, virtual, “Executive-in-Residence” in the role of Marketing & Media Manager. He thinks about social media, advertising, brand, website, digital media, print media, merchandising, media buying, and online sales so the friendly guides can think about the snow and their
next guest.

RESULT: Built all digital assets – website, social, and merchandising. Facebook users from zero to 2000+ in under 4 months. Over 6000 unique visitors per month to website. Next season’s pre-booked seats up 200%.

Catch a big lift with our friends at www.KingfisherHeliskiing.com or www.FB.com/KingfisherHeliskiing.

Big Snow. Big Stories.

[Another Heliski Startup]

Sales Strategy | Brand/Image | Social Media | and Everything Digital

When some snowboarders bought a little Heliski operation in Revelstoke, BC they became the first Heli-op in the world that was owned by Snowboarders. They had a different idea and a pretty big dream.

Ian & Sean helped them find a voice for their vision and connect with a whole new generation of riders. Big mountains, big legends, and even bigger stories. A new generation that sees snow differently.

In the roles of Director of Sales & Marketing and Digital Media Advisor, Ian and Sean provided strategic sales consulting, created a channel sales strategy, and developed a complete digital presence. We joined forces with dozens of Pro Athletes, Partners, and Sponsors on creative messages that engaged a global community.

RESULT: Went from unknown brand to top of news. Attracted new clients. Highest seat sales in corporate history. We liked their story so much we bought a piece of the company.

See why they’re special at www.EaglePassHeliskiing.com.

EaglePass Website
EaglePass Logo
Longview Website
Longview Logo

Sales Knights. IT Bun Fights.

[Aspiring Tech Firm]

Business Development Strategy | National Sales Partner Plans 

A bustling IT firm needed to improve a critical Partnership, quickly grow sales, inspire 40+ busy sales reps in multiple highly-saturated markets, and craft a compelling message that resonated with staff and clients.

Their search led them to engage Ian for creative sales ideas, strategy, and execution.

Ian helped establish credibility as a Thought Leader in the rapidly changing Desktop & Mobility space – a fast-changing, competitive market – using a mix of new-school social media and old-school people skills.

Translated technical IT concepts into business value for the CEO, CFO, and CIO. Captured increased market share with flexible, cost-effective, cloud-based purchasing models. Pretty cool stuff if you’re a nerd or executive.

RESULT: Rapid growth. Higher margins. Stronger partnership. Business unit sales that more than quadrupled from a little under $4.5M to over $28M annually in just 2½ years.

Watch the high-tech food fight continue at www.LongViewSystems.com.

Sunburn Your Ski Bum.

[Canadian Ski Mecca]

Mountain Photography | Resident Photographer | Digital Media & Marketing

Have you ever seen a picture from Sunshine Village ski resort in Banff, Canada in the past 20 years?  Of course you have, their pictures and marketing are everywhere.  From Canada to the US to many international markets.

Well there’s a pretty good chance you’ve been witness to some of Sean’s photo magic. 

Yep, he is that good. Sean was the Resident Photographer and snowboard shutterbug.  He was Sunshine Village’s dedicated ski hill historian who captured building projects, major on-hill events, and everyday life in the Rockies. And a ton of amazing professional skiers, families having a great day, and everything in-between.

RESULT: Decades making skiers drool and enticing tourists to come to The Rockies.  Dozens and dozens of photos published in magazines and used in large-scale marketing campaigns.

Check out his stunningly sunny outlook at www.skibanff.com.

Sunshine Village Website
Sunshine Village Logo
Goldpanner Website
Gold Panner Resort Logo
Goldpanner Website

Eureka – a Gold Mine! Literally.

[Cafe & Campground]

Brand | Design | Website & Social Media | Advertising | Automated Reservation System | Product & Package Pricing | Photography | Community & Partnerships

Founded on a Chinese heritage mining operation, the Gold Panner Resort property is steeped with history dating back to 1840 when Chinese immigrants left the California gold rush and came to this historic site to mine gold for the emperor of China. By 1895, the location had grown into a small mining camp located deep within the canyon walls of Cherry Creek.  To this day the Gold Panner Resort still holds many treasures, not all of them gold.

We helped revive and reboot a Resort and Campground in beautiful BC.  And we did the same for the attached cafe and restaurant – the Gold Pan Cafe.  Once neglected, she is loved again and shining bright.

We helped drive a total reboot, rebrand, and re-launch of a gold mine – both literally and figuratively.  ARIL designed, built, and managed all the digital assets including photography, website, social media, merchandising, building a click-to-book campsite reservation system, starting a community newsletter and blog, and much, much more.  We even rolled up our sleeves and helped them physically setup the restaurant, we cleaned rooms and cleaned up the grounds, we stacked firewood, we organized the new Check-in desk and procedures, we helped train the restaurant staff and servers… and we even helped serve customers and wash dishes.  And we brought back the world-famous pie and ice cream.  Because we’re not your average marketing company.

RESULT: Built a new website and all digital asset, and efficient booking system.  Tripled campground visitor revenue within 2 summer seasons. Won a Tourism Excellence Award from the Chamber of Commerce.

Join the gold rush and feel the sunshine at www.GoldPannerResort.com

Awesome, Totally Awesome.

[Online Magazine]

Website & Social Media | Advertising Partners | Retail Store | Layout, Editing & Publishing

Awesome Totally Awesome is the brainchild and dream of a Californian with Canadian roots.  It is an online magazine that embraces awesomeness, pushes boundaries, makes you laugh, lauds rawness and authenticity (whatever that means), and loves a bit of sarcasm.  Its soul was born in the Summer of ’90 and everything awesome that came from that decade, right up to what’s happening right now.  From Hip Hop culture to skate culture, from video games to fashion to sports – it is an eclectic site with an equally diverse audience.  And it is awesome.  Totally awesome.

ARIL helped design the overall look and feel and then built a website to match the Founder’s vision. 

After a few months the original marketing company, ahem, did not quite deliver on expectations.  With an imminent launch date and a non-existent website, the folks at Awesome were starting to feel the pinch.  ARIL jumped in with short notice and threw all our energy into learning about the project and vision.  Within a week ARIL delivered a completely finished website that worked properly and that fit with the vision and tone of the articles.  In the Founder’s own words, “I am stunned. It’s perfect. I don’t even know what to say.” ARIL continues to run the website, contribute to editing and publishing, build out a strategy for multiple social media platforms, and work on plans for driving more traffic, and bringing more advertisers on board. We want to keep being awesome.

RESULT: Met a tight launch deadline in style.  Built a new website, fully integrated with social media and configured with all tracking and analytics to support future marketing efforts. Reached more than 8,000 Instagram Followers in 6 weeks from launch.  Hired to be the long-term marketing partner.

Have a good laugh and find yourslef saying “That’s rad!” over at www.AwesomeTotallyAwesome.com.

ARIL AwesomeTotallyAwesome website
Awesome Totally Awesome Logo
AwesomeTotallyAwesome Website

Reference Letters

Keefer Reference Letter
Proactis Reference Letter
Eagle Pass Heliskiing Reference Letter
PAOC Reference Letter
Kingfisher Reference Letter