Perth model and socialite Benna Catterick has been living in the high-end Grandstand and Reserve apartments at Claremont on the Park for the past month.
Camera IconPerth model and socialite Benna Catterick has been living in the high-end Grandstand and Reserve apartments at Claremont on the Park for the past month. Credit: Instagram/perthstylesource

Apartment living under the ‘influence’ as Perth advocacy group tries new strategy

Staff writersPerthNow

A WA apartment-living advocacy group is turning to micro-influencers to try and sell Perth people on the Claremont Oval development.

Perth model and socialite Benna Catterick has been living in the high-end Grandstand and Reserve apartments at Claremont on the Park for the past month as the first of four influencers used to try and sell apartment living.

Stylist Ivanna Fontanta, lifestyle blogger Lidia Love and designer Rayne Bryant will also spend a month living in the apartments after being identified and reached out to by WA Apartment Advocacy.

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Between them, the four influencers only have a following of 75,000 people on Instagram, far below what many would consider the threshold for sponsorships like this, but WAAA managing director Samantha Reece said the local social media stars had been identified as ‘thought leaders’ who could help change opinions.

“If these thought leaders share their insights, we think there will be greater acceptance of apartment living as a preferred housing choice — one that we think should be on offer in all council areas,” she told The West Australian.

The use of micro-influencers has been around for a while, with the logic being that having a smaller following than some of the major players brings with it a sense of authenticity and trust with their audience, compared to some of the bigger players with Kardashian-level follower numbers.

Catterick’s stay appeared to include two posts and a number of stories revolving around the apartment, with those stories saved on her profile as highlights.

The apartment trial will also be extended to members of the public. Grandstand and Reserve apartments start from $429,000.