Vancouver Pride Society (VPS)
Sponsorship and Communications Consultancy
2005 – present

In 2005, Smart Cookie was hired as a consultant for Vancouver Pride’s 2006 season. Over the next six years, During Smart Cookie’s time at the VPS, participation at Pride events increased 230%, from 150,000 in 2005 to over 650,000 in 2010. In addition, Smart Cookie established business partnerships with the tourism and hospitality industry, which has further boosted attendance at Pride events.

Smart Cookie radically increased the VPS’ sponsorship income and created a comprehensive communications strategy, taking the organization from a small, grassroots community operation to an internationally-recognized brand.

Smart Cookie’s determination to establish unprecedented relationships with businesses has resulted in a profitable return on their investments, greater visibility for the VPS brand, and business loyalty from the LGBT community. (Read More)

Smart Cookie’s communications and marketing campaign encompassed plans for a new website, new graphics and branding, email newsletters, surveys, Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr pages and event listings, press releases, PSAs, radio and TV advertisements, print ads, media kits, Pride Guides, and a wide variety of other marketing collateral.

Smart Cookie’s work in consistently securing corporate and community sponsors resulted in an increase of more than $500,000 in sponsorship income. Smart Cookie also established Pride’s successful outreach campaigns and instituted a hugely successful fundraising drive which now brings in nearly $15,000 a year.

Case Studies

One of Smart Cookie’s most significant achievements was their success in making Vancouver Pride a visible leader in national and global LGBT issues.

Smart Cookie established and marketed Vancouver Pride’s international human rights campaign, and created outreach to the local and national communities.

Smart Cookie’s remarkable achievements with the VPS over the past six years have ensured that this LGBT organization is now regarded as a template for success.

Caryl Dolinko has over 25 years of experience working in Canada and abroad. She has held many prominent positions in sales, marketing, advertising, communications, public relations and promotions with extensive experience working with companies from the ground up

We provide your business with specialized consulting to create successful campaigns and programs.

We use a holistic approach and consider all aspects of your company to create and implement our plans.

Smart Cookie has the connections and the expertise to help you reach the lucrative and ever-expanding LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) market. Smart Cookie knows that the key to understanding the LGBT community is to embrace its diversity.