6 Questions with SWMi Toronto Board Member & Speaker, Casie Stewart

6 Questions with SWMi Toronto Board Member & Speaker, Casie Stewart

Casie Stewart is a Toronto based writer, blogger, and director. In 2016 she was recognized by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television as a pioneer in the world of social and digital media. She’s worked with many of the worlds top brands including MTV, Virgin, Puma, and Pepsi. She writes blogs about her world travels and adventures at  casiestewart.com. She started her blog in 2005 as a way to keep more memories and it’s grown to be one of the top lifestyle blogs in Canada. She also loves long weekends at the cottage, surfing, and good wifi.

Q: What is your favourite social media platform and why?

A: I’ve always been a Twitter champion but over the last year Snapchat has really taken over as my favourite platform. I love how quickly you can take a photo/video and edit without leaving the app, ex. filter, text, draw. Since the content disappears, I don’t feel the pressure to make it perfect, just post and share. It’s more in the moment than Instagram, which usually isn’t instant at all! Feel free to add me on Snapchat @ casiestewart

Q: What do you think might be the next big trend in social media?

A: I think we’ll see more live streaming and social shopping over the next 12 months. If we learned anything from the Chewbacca mask lady it’s that live video is capable of totally taking over the internet, and FAST. Facebook and Pinterest have integrated shopping well – I know I’ve certainly purchased things from Facebook. I got one of those LayBags things last week! Keep an eye out for VR too, it’s gonna be everywhere.

Q: Who is your favourite Toronto blogger/influencer on social and why (and which platform)?

A: I’m a big fan of Gunnarolla on YouTube. He consistently creates great videos, makes his own music, is always travelling, and is super funny. He does a great job of making brand partnerships feel authentic by really being himself through each. He did an awesome global burger tour with Hard Rock Café last year, some crazy adventures with Kelloggs, and a few memorable Contiki trips (I was on one of them!) just to name a few. Check out his website at http://gunnarolla.com.

Q: Other than SMWi, what is your favourite annual event in the city? How does Social Media enhance your experience with that event?

A: Social media enhances every experience these days. I’ve been on social since it started so it’s really part of my every day life!  Summer in Toronto is the absolute best with heaps of outdoor events. I love Field Trip Festival – last year they had some awesome VR demos by Occupied VR. I can’t wait to see what they have this year! I’m also on the board for The Brewers Plate which takes place at Chorus Entertainment by the water. Ten rockstar chefs are paired with 10 breweries and you can sample as much as you like! This year, Norm Kelly was a guest of honor sharing his own #6Dad brew. I managed to get a few minutes with him, we posted on my Snapchat and took a few selfies – it was awesome. I think social is great because you can share every experience which makes everything more fun. You can enjoy the experience with the people who are there but also extend the experience to everyone online in real time.

Q: What is your favourite place or thing in the city to photograph and post on social, and why? (e.g. could be  a restaurant that serves instagrammable dishes, snapchats on the TTC or tweeting the sunrise over the city skyline)

A: I spend a lot of time at the cottage during the summer, I really enjoy posting from there and using the Muskoka filter on Snapchat.

When I’m in the city, I love hitting up big events and festivals like Field Trip, Bestival, Pride, the Queen’s Plate, or the CNE. I always dress on theme, take fun photos, and post lots of SNAPS.  It’s great when there’s a custom Snapchat filter, photo booth, or very Instagrammable setup. Toronto is such a vibrant city; I love the CN Tower or going over to the island beaches too, you never get tired of VIEWS from the 6.

Be sure to follow Casie on social!

Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn.