It’s Throwback Thursday and that calls for a spotlight on a campaign from a classic brand: Converse. I’ve never doodled on my Converse, but I love to wear them. I suspect they’ll be a wardrobe staple indefinitely.
Every owner of Converse sneakers has the option to personalize their footwear to reflect their personality and interests. Converse is celebrating consumers’ flare for customizing sneakers with their latest Made By You campaign.
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.
Martin Waxman
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.
Centennial College – Story Arts Centre @ Pape Ave & Mortimer Ave
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
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.
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.
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.]
Taking the TTC to Bay and Bloor is a lot cheaper than flying to Manhattan, so I’m glad Jennifer Weiner came to Toronto to dish about journalism, relationships and reality TV.
When I went to New York last spring, I carefully planned the trip around Lauren Graham and Jennifer Weiner’s book signings. Many tourists go to the New York Public Library branch where they filmed Sex and the City, but Jennifer’s panel with Sarah Pekkanen and Elizabeth LaBan was at the Yorkville branch, so I ventured north of FAO Schwarz and sat front row centre.
Once the panel ended, I approached Jennifer’s publicist to request a Toronto stop on her next book tour. Thankfully Indigo and Simon & Schuster made it happen!