Dailies and TV get a charge out of utilities: Nielsen Media Research Spend Trend
Not all hot air is generated in national capitals north and south of the border. And since deregulation of the industry, Canada’s hydro, power and natural gas marketers have increased their spending significantly year over year to let consumers know what’s what.
Events
CMDC: Pay Attention! New Forms of Engagement
March 27
Toronto
Capturing and retaining the attention of media savvy but increasingly distracted consumers will be the theme of the Canadian Media Directors’ Council conference. The international line-up of speakers, panelists and moderators – from virtually all sectors of the media, advertising and communications communities – includes: David Lubars, chairman/CCO, BBDO North America; Scott Paterson, chairman/ CEO of JumpTV, broadband broadcaster in over 65 countries; Wade Oosterman president, Bell Mobility and BDI plus chief brand officer, Bell Canada; digital visionary Jeff Cole, director of the Centre for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communications; Steve Ridley, CEO, Americas Kinetic Worldwide; Dominic Proctor, CEO Mindshare Worldwide; and Charlie Crowe, publisher, Cream Magazine and founder of C Squared Communications.
Participating in a session on the future of newspapers will be newspaper veterans Martin Newland, past editor of both London’s Daily Telegraph and Canada’s National Post, Jagoda Pike, publisher, The Toronto Star and columnist/broadcaster Michael Vaughan.
Panelists discussing media management will include Martin Cass, EVP, Carat Americas; Pierre Delagrave, president, Cossette Media, Mauricio Sabogal, CEO, OMD Latin America; Ashutosh Srivastava, CEO Mindshare Asia Pacific; and John Taylor, worldwide director of client services, ZenithOptimedia Group.
OOH giants bid for street furniture contract
Thousands of transit shelters, garbage and recycling bins, newspaper boxes, bike racks, public washrooms – that’s what the bidders for Toronto’s street furniture contract want to provide. After the door closed to proposals yesterday, three players remained at the table. It may all come down to who promises the biggest chunk of ad revenue to the megacity’s mega pockets.
AOL.ca bringing American Super Bowl ads to Canadians
Canadian fans of the American mega-commercials that air during the Super Bowl will be able to view all of them on their computers while watching the big game this Sunday – and get in on the voting for top spot.
Cheeky new Diesel work dominates Toronto’s Union Station
Italian fashion brand Diesel’s tongue-in-cheek new campaign aims to raise awareness about global warming, and has taken over Toronto’s busy Union Station. Campaign images can be found in over 200 different spots including floor decals, stairs and walls.
Ikea taps new YouTube wannabe to launch bed-making contest
‘We’re looking for bed-making maniacs who aren’t worried about what Mom says…,’ announced the Swedish home furnishings giant yesterday while offering a US $5,000 prize for the most imaginative consumer posting of the quotidian activity on newbie social network Shycast.
TV prodco seeks a digital Second Life
Audiences are doing it. Broadcasters are doing it. Why shouldn’t the prodcos get in on the migration of content to multiple digital platforms? Marking a first on the Canadian scene, Toronto’s Peace Point Entertainment is going digital with its brands – from building a Second Life to re-vamping its TV series for compatibility with the world of Web 2.0.
Robson and Jeff moved to Saturdays
The tenants of a Vancouver low-rise and a certain conceited advertising exec return to CTV’s schedule next week, as Robson Arms and Jeff Ltd. make their second-season debuts on Feb. 10, playing back to back on Saturday nights.
Global’s primetime gets Vista treatment
Microsoft’s Windows Vista launch has tied itself to Global Television’s primetime programming in a way that highlights new features of the operating system using top shows like Heroes and Prison Break. It’s an example of deeply compatible brand integration.
Mini bows ‘talking’ billboards down south
Actually, playful messages – such as ‘Nice roof graphic, Bob!’ – will not be voiced, but spelled out in lights as Mini drivers who’ve signed up for the innovative Motorby pilot program drive by. But the initiative now underway in four US cities makes Mini the first major marketer to morph RFID technology into one-to-one communication with customers.
Branded content from Grand & Toy to guest-star on Canada AM
To give its office makeover contest added oomph, G&T worked with CTV to create four ‘Office of the Future’ segments for the early morning talk show.
CBC’s Stursberg unveils plan for ’07
CBC will develop more broad-appeal series and follow through on its news overhaul, according to a ‘state of the union’ letter from the net’s programming czar.
Brands played jump-up on top TV ad rank for Jan. 19-25
The Brick leapt from #6 to #2, GM climbed from #8 to #3, and (possibly prompted by the east’s cold snap) Campbell Soup jumped up two spots to become #5 on Eloda’s list of top 15 advertisers. Meanwhile, McCain and the Government of Ontario dropped off the list.
Unexpected radio ad climbers: Media Monitors – Jan. 21-28
Matching its name and its actions, Speedorama (car racing event) zoomed to #9 last week. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart jumped to #6, Staples Business Depot climbed to #4, and Mandarin restaurants appeared at #10 after a long absence.
Girly shows at a glance
Looking to reach the female demo? February’s got a few notable new shows aimed at capturing the eyes of women. Here’s a look at some of what’s to come…
