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MIT

Behind The Brand: Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)

Michelle Dias

Name: Michelle Dias

Position: Marketing Manager, Public Relations & Communications

Education: Media, Information and Technoculture (MIT), Minor in Philosophy & Writing Certificate, Western University; Corporate Communications, Sheridan College

Professional role model: Sheryl Sandberg. She is the Chief Operating Officer at Facebook, an author and the “Lean In” activist. In learning about Sheryl, I see many parallels in her bold personality and ambition with myself. Her drive, work ethic and message of advocating for one’s self are traits that I have adopted in my own career.

In 140 characters or less, what is your favourite part of your job? 

Working with passionate hoteliers from across Canada to promote IHG’s brands. The hospitality industry is always open; it’s very exciting.

What are your daily responsibilities? 

My goal at the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is to promote our Canadian properties through creative marketing, public relations and social media campaigns. I work with a very talented corporate team across the globe and various agencies to tell the IHG story of: outstanding hospitality, marquee brands and Great Hotels Guests Love.

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March 22, 2016 by

What’s HOTS On Facebook

Hot On The Street Facebook Page Profile Photo

As Hot On The Street approaches its 4th anniversary, it’s time to ramp up the blog’s social media presence. I am proud to announce the launch of Hot On The Street’s new Facebook page!

Having a Facebook page means it’ll be easier to share timely, funny and intriguing content faster than I could if I wrote a blog post about each topic. So in addition to sharing links to Hot On The Street interviews, reviews and event recaps, I’ll share more article links from Wired, Fast Company, Entertainment Weekly and the like. This also means that I can follow brands’ Facebook pages through my blog’s Facebook account, rather than my own. I suspect this will be a positive way to curate my Facebook experience because my friends’ content will appear higher in my News Feed if I start following fewer brands through my personal account.

Facebook Trending Topics (JPEG)

Trending Topics on Facebook

No matter how much Twitter and Facebook copy each other to attract and retain active users, I think one of the smartest features Facebook adopted is the new list of trending topics. If nothing else, MIT emphasized how easy it is for social media to be an echo chamber. In other words, even though news articles are so accessible, it’s easy to have a limited perspective on current events and remain oblivious about local or world news. Therefore, even though the trending topics list offers only a brief synopsis about why a person or event is trending, at least it can prompt users to research it more. It’s the thought that counts and every small step counts.

Please show your support for Hot On The Street and “Like” the new Facebook page to ensure you’re in the loop about trending topics that Facebook doesn’t highlight.

January 22, 2014 by

Urban Outfitters’ Grand Opening in London

After Blockbuster closed its doors, Urban Outfitters seized the opportunity to open its first London, Ontario location. Transforming the former video rental store into an urban shopping paradise required over eight months of construction followed by final touches done by the chain’s visual display team.

Their extensive preparations certainly paid off and district manager Sarah Leising is more than pleased with how the 8,000 square foot space looks now. Eager to see London’s students visit and shop with friends and family, she’s confident that the store’s uniquely “eccentric” environment will make it a hot spot on Richmond Row.

Although Urban Outfitters has grown to become an international chain, Sarah emphasized that they make an ongoing effort to be “culturally relevant,” such as through collaborations with local designers and organizations.

To connect with London’s music lovers, the store is hosting a grand opening party on Thursday February 7. The Elwins, Eternal Summers and Richie Blackz will perform on the second level from 6-8 PM. Get there early!

Sales associate and MIT classmate Stephanie Edwards is excited to work there, knowing that she can be herself and have fun on the job. Her co-worker Monique told me she’s equally jazzed about her part-time job because she likes the store’s alternative vibe and the flexible dress code for employees.

I’ve shopped at Urban Outfitters in Washington, Las Vegas, New York, Montreal and Toronto, so I can attest that Urban Outfitters has a great selection and I’m excited to monitor new arrivals at their London store.

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January 30, 2013 by

Some Kind of Wonderful Summer

My Facebook album featuring summer 2012 highlights is called Paradise, after the hit song by Coldplay, which captures my sentiment this summer. Here’s why:

Walt Disney once said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” Going backstage at a concert has been a dream ever since meeting a Marianas Trench band member working the merchandise table at their 2009 Western O-Week show. 

Ian Casselman, Marianas Trench (September 2009)

Saturday afternoon, I managed to meet Jesse Labelle, a 2012 headliner at the same show. Leaving that tent afterwards broke my heart, but at least I also got to meet my mitZine editor IRL for the first time!

Western may be known for offering “the best student experience,” but last year I suffered from a major case of FOMO (fear of missing out) because I follow a lot of Torontonians online who made me wish I was there instead. Thus, it was very ironic when I ran into Casie Stewart, queen of Toronto’s Twitter scene, on the first day of TIFF whilst wearing the red jeans I speak of in my Twitter bio and en route to London.

The professional role model question is a staple in Hot On The Street interviews, so you can imagine how elated I felt when Peter Shankman responded shortly after I forwarded him my farewell email to Canadian Tire’s online marketing team mentioning his influence. Now that I’m back in London, there’s no TV in my apartment building’s elevators for me to literally look up to him.

I can’t wait to see what happens next. To quote Jesse Labelle’s Twitter bio… L’chaim!

P.S. This post is dedicated to a new friend whom I met at an Indigo Starbucks. Have fun in London!

September 9, 2012 by

Back to School Inspiration

When a teacher encourages students to pursue their passion, their influence deserves to be recognized and shared. The Our Kids Private School Expo blog hop provides a great opportunity to express why my media studies teacher, Alice Trachimovsky’s classes are among my best high school memories.

Once I saw how Mrs. T handled a group of immature boys while substituting for one of my grade ten classes, I knew she was a woman from whom I wanted to learn. The following year in grade eleven, her exciting creative assignments ranged from a shopping mall analysis to a full-fledged public service announcement campaign, for which I learned how to create a teaser. Leading enjoyable discussions is one of her specialties, especially when it comes to Lady Gaga and Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty. Her observational humour always piqued my friends’ interest in how the media industry operates, making it unsurprising that many of my high school classmates study MIT at Western now.

Smaller classes make it easier to form meaningful bonds that promote keeping in touch post-graduation. Three years later, Mrs. T and I still meet for coffee every summer to catch up (most recently at Aroma).

Mrs. T always supported my ambitions to ensure Hot On The Street lived on after its print editions and I’ll never forget when she challenged us to summarize an article in 140 characters.

A magical formula doesn’t move private school students from school A to first choice university B, and then onto dream job C – teachers play a fundamental role in helping students get there.

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September 6, 2012 by