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Sarah Prince

5 Things To Do While Unemployed

Hot On The Street - Spark Sessions - Notebook and Cupcakes

Unemployment is a crucial time to focus on priorities in your personal life. It’s important to establish a routine and create structure, as that’s the best way to avoid sitting at home with negative thoughts, which could lead to a downward spiral.

Once you’ve found an effective job hunting strategy that you can realistically execute, set aside time to relax. Take this time to lead the balanced lifestyle that you know you should strive for on a regular basis, but let laziness and the busy trap get the best of you.

1. Record your thoughts in a journal.

It could be in a digital app that you can sync and access across your devices with password protection. Create a new notebook marked Personal or something ambiguous so strangers looking over your shoulder will never guess you use the app to record private feelings.

Of course you can maintain a journal the old fashioned way with pen and lined paper. Store it somewhere safe at home. If writing down miscellaneous observations during the day is something you’re not used to doing, then keep it simple and start with something basic. Indigo sells One Line A Day memory books and if you make writing in it a habit, then you will have a fascinating log to reflect on months or years in the future. See how much you have grown, matured and changed in the process.

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Next Issue

I like to read at home.

Introduction

Rogers’ Next Issue magazine subscription service and app legitimately changed my life this past year. At first, the transit ads for software that’s essentially ‘Netflix for Magazines’ made the trial tempting, but it wasn’t until I was offered an extended trial as a Klout perk that I recognized its true value.

I’ve always enjoyed reading magazines for the articles, pictures and tips. I’ve always had at least one annual subscription to a print edition (or at least since the days of Teen People and YM!). I’ve always liked reading.

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Talk Is Cheap 7

Hot On The Street - Sarah Prince and Martin Waxman

Martin Waxman

Introduction

Talk Is Cheap is an annual conference presented by the corporate communications and public relations students at Centennial College. Last year, I went with my friend Rachel who has a CPG client-side marketing role. It was helpful to compare notes because she found the digital insights interesting and I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about traditional media relations. This year, I was excited to go again. I had a chance to hear different speakers, see familiar faces and extract practical tips.

Location

Centennial College – Story Arts Centre @ Pape Ave & Mortimer Ave

Outfit

Ann Taylor LOFT black jacket, Roots X Douglas Coupland ‘I Miss My Pre-Internet Brain’ ironic graphic t-shirt, Mavi skinny jeans, Sam Edelman black suede boots

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Promotions Around Downtown Toronto

Yonge and Dundas Square is a popular destination in downtown Toronto and therefore a prime location for companies that want to raise brand awareness among a large audience of pedestrians. No matter how often I shop at the Toronto Eaton Centre, I seem to miss some of the most exciting experiential marketing stunts. To compensate, I rely on YouTube and industry publications to get my fix and find out what’s happening.

Thanks to YouTube pre-roll, I discovered two cool campaigns that were executed recently by Koodo and Keurig. The alliteration of these brand names is unintentional, but noted.

Keurig

When Tim Hortons celebrated their 50th anniversary at Yonge and Dundas Square, they demonstrated that it’s a smart place to promote coffee. Keurig followed their lead in October with more spontaneous entertainment for passersby interested in a free cup.

Unbeknownst to customers, Keurig had grand plans brewing. Keurig’s method of surprising caffeine-deprived people reminds me of the flash mob craze, as you’ll see that performers popped up to make pouring coffee more of a celebration than a chore. It’s as if a jukebox was attached to the Keurig 2.0 machine and only a few select people had the right change to turn it on.

Koodo

When you’re on the go, mobile charging stations are a lifesaver. Just ask any of the ladies at Spark Sessions who used one supplied by Best Buy. Recognizing this pain point, Koodo hired a guy to dress up as a neon green battery, approach Torontonians in the summer and offer to give their phones a boost. The ambassador’s personality is cheeky and on brand. Kudos to him for walking around in that costume in the heat.

The video captures close-ups of potential customers’ reactions and reminds viewers about the importance of mobile accessories that will prolong your battery. Considering how long it takes to leave the maze that is The Ex, I imagine that those people appreciated it the most.

Now that there’s snow on the ground, I’m curious to see how marketers will make a similar effort to engage customers indoors, such as through a unique vending machine at the Toronto Eaton Centre. While you’re looking at decorated store windows, take a look around when you’re walking downtown and keep an eye out for noteworthy branded experiences!

[2025 Update: Unfortunately, the YouTube videos for these ads have been removed.]

Sunday Night TV Highlights

Photo Source: Hollywood Life & E!

Photo Source: Hollywood Life & E!

Aside from the Oscars and Super Bowl, Sunday night doesn’t usually imply appointment viewing. Last night was an exception. I found myself flipping back and forth all night between the American Music Awards on CTV/ABC, Canada’s Smartest Person on CBC and Kourtney & Khloe Take the Hamptons on E! I’m one episode behind on The Good Wife, but I’ll fix that soon with Rogers on Demand.

Kourtney & Khloe Take the Hamptons

I wonder how many other dads leave hundreds of dollars worth of gifts for their kids and partners on their way to rehab. In the last episode, Scott went to rehab for five days, Kourtney’s therapist flew to New York for a surprise counselling session and Khloe celebrated her 30th birthday.

It looked like Khloe had a fun birthday bash and an even better surprise party, where French Montana gave her a Jeep. It’s a shame that Khloe’s anxiety about her age and relationship with Lamar interfered with her having a good time with friends.

Overall, it was a juicy drama-filled episode that was satisfying, yet somewhat difficult to watch given the sensitive subject matter about Scott’s behaviour and Kourtney’s health.

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