H&R Block puts a personal touch on tax season
The ubiquitous tax services company has a new branded microsite staffed with experts to provide one-on-one help to tax-stumped Canadians.
Canwest puts papers up for sale
The media co’s twelve daily newspapers follow the company’s TV division into creditor protection. Media buys to be unaffected, Canwest senior VP public affairs John Douglas says.
Spotted! Housewives heat up downtown
As part of Slice’s marketing blitz behind its two Real Housewives reality shows, two scantily clad housewives and their ‘pool boy’ play house in a downtown Toronto office tower.
Adidas launches jogger whisperer
The brand is today starting a consumer seeding program for miCoach Pacer, a gadget that advises runners about heart rate pacing in real time, and uploads their info on a microsite where they can review their progress post-run.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation gets appy
The non-profit fundraising organization launches its first app, hoping to enhance ease of donations, drive membership to the CIBC Run for the Cure and provide greater access to its resources.
Notes from the Mediascape: 3D TV set to debut in US this year
Although a Canadian debut of the new tech is hypothetical at this point, the promise of a 3D TV – and advertising – experience has ignited both skepticism and excitement in the Canadian mediascape.
TSN and CBC net highest ratings with hockey telecasts
The World Junior Hockey Championships and NHL score a one-two punch as regular programming is pre-empted by Christmas holidays. Global’s NCIS on Tuesday was the week’s most-watched drama.
CBC’s Little Mosque wants new arena from Kraft
In a curious integration of the network’s small-town viewer favourites – the Kraft Hockeyville contest and Little Mosque on the Prairie – the eccentric Mercy, Saskatchewan community members enter the contest for a chance to win a new, $100,000 hockey arena.
M5 expands into US
The Newfoundland-based full-service marketing agency purchases Manchester, New Hampshire-based bGG. Both companies include media operations.
Swiss Chalet sweeps up title sponsorship of national curling event
The Cara Foods-owned franchise takes title sponsorship of one of the events, now called the Swiss Chalet National, in the Capital One Grand Slam of Curling.
OUTtv pushes boundaries with new iTunes deal, app
The channel is distributing five of its series and three feature movies through the iTunes store, as well as a new app with geo-targeted advertising opportunities.
Corus launches ‘Naked’ campaign, names new Treehouse series
The broadcaster puts some media muscle behind the premiere of its new show How to Look Good Naked Canada, while Treehouse announces new shows for the winter lineup.
Jergens kicks off lotion promotion
The Canadian beauty brand has added a Facebook strategy to its national experiential campaign in an effort to build social media buzz around its product demos.
Google’s new phone marketing gold?
Google debuted its new Nexus One handset last night with loads of hype, but one marketing expert thinks all the Google vs. Apple fuss is missing the point. PC on every desk? Try computer in every hand.
Nike plays it social with World Junior Championships
The athletic co signs on Canadian star vlogger Steve Glynn to tweet, Facebook and YouTube his take on the 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, including tonight’s gold-medal game.
