Metro and RushHour launch free dailies in Alberta
Free dailies are popping up everywhere. Metro is set to push 120,000 free daily newspapers into the Calgary and Edmonton markets within weeks. And CanWest launched Calgary RushHour yesterday morning, morphing a publication that started in Ottawa as a downloadable afternoon paper.
On-air Oscar spots sold out
The roster of advertisers vying for space during the Academy Awards show is complete. CTV sold out its on-air spots yesterday. Other shows based on the Oscar’s, such as eTalk and the Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special are almost sold out as of press time.
Planet Africa magazine makes launch official in Toronto
The Planet Africa TV series is extending its brand to print. Looking to reach African Canadian urban professionals, Ottawa-based Silvertrust Communications network – which specializes in award shows, development forums and a television series – has launched a niche mag with the same moniker.
Innovative website offers socially responsible web marketing
Since launching two years ago, GiveMeaning.com has raised $2 million for a wide variety of good causes, while inviting advertisers to choose which ones to align their messages with.
Neo taps Pattison exec, opens Toronto office
The Swiss outdoor digital screen giant, which acquired DAN Media for its Montreal operations last October, has named Jean-Claude Henri EVP marketing and development and tasked him with establishing a Toronto operation.
National Post revamps Saturday Toronto section
More of everything, plus a ‘re-energized’ design. The National Post‘s new Toronto section is aimed at delivering a better read and a heftier payoff for advertisers in what’s being touted as Toronto’s meatiest weekend print venue.
Dove goes global with Pro-Age campaign
Having opened eyes with its now-famous ‘Campaign for Real Beauty,’ Unilever is upping the ante in a new initiative. The goal? Inducing an attitudinal shift regarding age.
Cineplex to replace Tribute with Famous Magazine
The in-theatre magazine, Tribute, has been bumped out of Cineplex Entertainment’s venues. Its rival, Famous Magazine, will see a huge boost to its circulation.
Volatility revved up among top TV advertisers: Feb. 9-15, 2007
GlaxoSmithKline zoomed from #15 to #3, Daimler Chrysler climbed from #10 to #4 and CHUM soared from #14 to #6. Meanwhile, Unilever dropped its presence from the #2 spot to #13, and Campbell Soup dropped from #8 to #12. Bayer and Ontario Lottery & Gaming dropped off the top 15 list. But both Kellogg and General Mills reappeared on it after absences.
Leslie Nielsen’s new medical series examines slapstick*ology
Discovery is putting a bit of slapstick into its new medical genre show. Canadian screen icon Leslie Nielsen turns heads while he prods and probes behind the scenes of the medicine world.
Star P.M. goes mobile
Last fall, Star P.M. asked its readers for some feedback on the future of the downloadable newspaper. Today, readers’ demands will be answered. Star P.M. launches a daily mobile service and has tweaked its existing downloadable editions to cater to consumers who have a passion for entertainment.
Zoom Media bows interactive billboard units
In what the lifestyle targeter is calling a first for OOH, a GM campaign is pushing the buttons of 18-34 trendies in downtown Montreal – and enticing them to do likewise to explore the features of new Chevys and Pontiacs.
Corus targets tweens with TheBigRip.com MMOG
Toronto-based Corus Entertainment has launched the first of its ‘massively multiplayer online games’ (MMOGs) aimed at drawing tweens – and marketers – into a virtual galaxy. Fully-integrated sponsorship opps are in the works.
CTV wins the top five again
BBM/Nielsen Top 30 – Feb. 5-11, 2007
Global’s House has strong viewership in Toronto and Vancouver, but a noticeably weaker standing in Calgary, according to the latest charts. CTV’s CSI tops the charts everywhere except Quebec. On the national scene, Global’s got three in the top ten spots, while CTV owns the rest.
HD Networks schedule Nip/Tuck
CTV has added the fourth season of Nip/Tuck to its weekend schedule and, as a perk, to its broadband site.
