Case Study: Building a Buzz Around Community Arts with Live@StMark's

Client Overview
Live@StMark's is a grassroots live music and arts event series hosted at St Mark’s Church in North West London. With an eclectic programme of performances ranging from classical, jazz, folk and contemporary music, Live@StMark's brings together local audiences and artists in an intimate, inspiring setting.

The Challenge
As a newly launched community-based initiative, Live@StMark's needed support to:

  • Build brand recognition and credibility from the ground up

  • Reach new local audiences and drive ticket sales

  • Establish a cohesive and professional online presence

  • Communicate the unique vibe and value of the events without losing the grassroots feel

Our Approach
Simply IC partnered with Live@StMark's to create a strong foundation for growth, balancing strategic marketing with authentic storytelling and community connection.

  1. Visual Identity & Branding Guidance
    While working with the team’s existing aesthetic, we advised on visual consistency across digital platforms, from social media posts to flyers, ensuring the identity felt both community-led and professionally executed.

  2. Social Media Management
    We developed and ran targeted campaigns across Instagram and Facebook, using short-form video, artist profiles, and behind-the-scenes content to build excitement. Our organic content strategy was focused on storytelling, accessibility, and shareability.

  3. Localised Email Marketing
    We set up and managed a mailing list for event announcements and artist spotlights. Our email templates reflected the warm, inclusive tone of the events and helped build a sense of continuity and community between shows.

  4. Content Creation & Copywriting
    We provided compelling event descriptions, press releases, and artist bios that captured the energy of the performances while being optimised for both print and web formats.

  5. Partnership Strategy & Community Engagement
    To help boost visibility, we provided guidance on forming local partnerships with schools, cafés, and cultural venues, and encouraged reciprocal promotion. We also engaged with audience feedback to help shape future programming decisions.

  6. On-the-Ground Support
    From sourcing and purchasing to the physical delivery of flyers around the local area, we rolled up our sleeves and made sure no opportunity to connect with the community was missed. No job was too small or too big for the Simply IC team.

Results

  • A sold-out debut series of events, with audiences exceeding initial expectations

  • Over 400% increase in Instagram followers in the first three months

  • Open rates for emails consistently above 45%, well above industry average

  • Positive local word-of-mouth buzz

  • Strengthened relationships with artists and community groups, fuelling repeat engagement

Client Feedback
"Simply IC helped us translate our creative vision into a clear and compelling brand. Their marketing support not only filled seats, but also helped us build a genuine sense of community. It’s been a game-changer."
— Live@StMark's Team

Conclusion
Our work with Live@StMark's showcases how marketing, when done with care and cultural sensitivity, can help grassroots initiatives thrive. At Simply IC, we’re proud to support creative communities in connecting with audiences, amplifying voices, and building lasting momentum. Whether it’s shaping strategy or delivering flyers by hand, we’re all in.