29. Marketing in the visitor economy with Kelly Ballard

Visitor Elves

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In this final episode of Series 2, I am bringing you my story. I’m being interviewed by my Visitor Elf sidekick Shonette Laffy, Digital Marketing Manager of Visit West and fellow freelancer.
During my conversation with Shonette, I share how I got into the visitor economy and what life was like in marketing before the internet existed - remember that?? 25 years ago, virtually no one had a website, Friends Reunited was the closest thing we had to Facebook and faxing was still a thing. I share some of the ways we used to find and reach out to audiences before we had so much tech at our disposal.
This interview is a bit of a look back, but also a reflection on the challenges I have faced as a marketer who is juggling an increasingly complex industry.
I share some of the opportunities I see for the visitor economy over the next couple of years, including AI, chatbots and podcasts (no surprises there!), as well as some top tips for those of you working in marketing in this exciting industry.
I hope that this conversation resonates with those of you in marketing trying to do it all - trying to be the digital tech specialist, the planner, the videographer, the writer.
It will also resonate with those whose early careers were a little all over the place until you had your own sliding doors moments.
Enjoy the episode!
Find out more:

Westonbirt Arboretum
Super Weston
Visit West
Culture Weston

Other mentions in the show:

Noble Performs
Tech Pixies
Weston Wallz
Foodworks
Puxton Park
The Grand Pier

Kelly's favourites:

Revo Kitchen, Weston-super-Mare
Sakura, Weston-super-Mare
Prior Shop, Bristol

To share your views on this subject and ask questions about the episode, head over to:
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This episode is sponsored by Hello Starling.

Hello Starling, is an award-winning Media Planning and Buying agency that specialises in delivering advertising campaigns with great results for visitor attractions and destinations.
They've worked with brands such as Bristol Zoo Project, Visit Shropshire, Visit Conwy, Visit Herefordshire and the National Tourism Office for Poland. If you want to be the centre of attention, visit hellostarling.com today.
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