Browsing Tag

inspiration

Next Issue

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.

November 30, 2014 by Sarah Prince

Talk Is Cheap 7

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

November 27, 2014 by Sarah Prince

Promotions Around Downtown Toronto

Photo Source: Toronto Grand Prix Tourist

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.]

November 26, 2014 by Sarah Prince

Spark Sessions

With Marketing Director Jenny Jovanovic (Crazy Style Love)

Spark Sessions Marketing Director Jenny Jovanovic (Crazy Style Love)

The blogging world has become very saturated, so it was worthwhile spending the weekend at the second annual Spark Sessions conference to learn how to differentiate myself.

The opening keynotes by Andrew Sardone, Editor at Globe Style Advisor and Vanessa Craft, Beauty Director at ELLE Canada launched the event by describing bloggers as entrepreneurs. Vanessa inspired bloggers to become idea entrepreneurs and leverage our blogs to influence how readers think and behave. “Blogging is storytelling with a megaphone,” she said. Think about the power that comes with being a blogger and consider your future legacy.

Winnie Chan explored various legal issues that are relevant to blogging like CASL, disclaimer policies and copyright infringement. Though it was interesting to hear a lawyer’s perspective about what we do on WordPress, I would’ve preferred to see more visual examples of do’s and don’ts. Likewise, Maxine McDonald from Langton PR helped us understand which information is fundamental to include in media kits, but she didn’t show any examples of media kits she likes.

November 17, 2014 by Sarah Prince

Memory Monday: Fashion Week

Fashion is a spectator sport and it’s my favourite kind. Between the release of Refinery29’s Style Stalking book and World MasterCard Fashion Week, October was filled with fashion-forward inspiration. October marked my first fashion week experience and it was a privilege to be part of the action.

Until this fall, my fashion show experience was limited to student-run charity fundraisers like OHM at Western. Volunteers invest a lot of time to ensure these shows look professional, so I was curious to see how internationally known artists showcase their collections.

November 3, 2014 by Sarah Prince

Older Posts

Newer Posts