Notes from the Mediascape: NBC’s new Communicator
NBC.com’s swank new ad-supported social media platform Communicator blends content like The Office and Heroes with computer-to-computer voice calling and text messaging.
Big numbers for Blades finale
Reality programming continues to perform for CBC with high numbers for Blades and Dragon’s Den.
Rogers blames conventional networks’ woes on US programming, fragmentation
After CTVgm president and CEO Ivan Fecan threatened to block programming across the board at the CRTC hearing on fee-for-carriage yesterday, Rogers Communications argued against US-style signal compensation.
CP24 takes its content on the road
The Toronto-based breaking news channel today launched a mobile site to deliver its content to smartphone users on the go.
Amazon’s Kindle comes to Canada…finally
The National Post and The Globe and Mail are on board as the e-tailer’s digital reading device becomes available to Canadian publishers and consumers.
Canada Goose takes flight at ACC
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment athletes will sport the high-end outerwear while platinum seat holders at the ACC will get to check their coats for free in this Canada Goose sponsorship, announced today.
Canadian Tourism Commission paints Pearson in patriotism
A first-ever partnership between Border Services and the Canadian Tourism Commission sees Canadian international airports bathed in patriotic OOH.
Showcase gets ‘Drunk and On Drugs’
Network green-lights six episodes of new Trailer Park Boys alumni vehicle to air in 2010; producers say content integration opportunities open.
TIM-BR Mart airs puck challenge on TimbrTube
The home improvement retail chain’s sponsorship of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships is encouraging rural communities to get in on the online voting action with a viral marketing campaign.
Survivor outwits Grey’s Anatomy
In the ongoing Thursday battle between Global and CTV for the top spot, Grey’s Anatomy gets bumped to second place.
History TV takes off with Ice Pilots NWT
The original 13-part series about Arctic pilots launches on the Canwest channel, home of Ice Truckers, which reached one million viewers in three airings of its 10th episode.
Boxer Lager steps into Ontario ring
Alberta-based microbrewer Minhas Creek wants a punchy presence in the Ontario market, promoting the launch with a TV buy that includes unlikely beer spot match-ups such as Oprah, soaps and news, to be followed by print and radio.
ComScore, Massive link gamers and ad effectiveness
The two companies have partnered on a new research methodology that measures the effectiveness of in-game ads on gamers’ online behaviour.
Petro-Canada and Globe give the gift of gas
The Globe and Mail encourages in-depth reading in a new contest involving PetroCan swipe-card insertion and in-store giveaways.
MediaVest, Kraft win ‘Best of Show’ at MIAs
Strategy magazine’s 2009 Media Agency of the Year goes two-for-two at awards’ nights this year, taking home the big prize last night for its Kraft Cheez Whiz campaign while John St. wins top honours at the ADCC awards for ‘The Wiserhood’.
