Torstar plans to boost its ethnic reach
Already publisher of the Canadian version of Chinese-language daily Sing Tao and Sway, a weekly geared to Toronto’s African- and Caribbean-Canadian communities, the Toronto Star is now leveraging the success of a magazine geared to all the 250,000 immigrants who arrive here annually – plus planning a Toronto edition.
A weak year for mobile TV and the dangers of virtuanomics
Mobile television isn’t set for take-off, due to weak consumer demand in Canada. Hot off the presses, these are some of Deloitte’s 2007 Technology, Media and Telecommunications Predictions…
Volatility reigned among Eloda’s Top TV advertisers: Jan. 5-11, 2007
While P&G held its lock on top spot, auto companies and pharma biggies spiked. Info is based on Eloda’s recording grid (www.eloda.com).
The Globe and Mail appoints new VPs
Roger Dunbar has led The Globe and Mail‘s sales department to consistent year-over-year revenue growth. Andrew Saunders’s online selling approach has led the paper to a rapid jump in digital revenue. Promotions were in order, and publisher and CEO Phillip Crawley made it official on Monday.
Will Canadian marketers boldly go to AAC’s Blogtv.ca to engage consumers in real time?
As Canada’s first and only live-video user-generated site winds up its first month of operation, no one knows whether marketers were eavesdropping as consumers expressed their passions and concerns. But so far, none has grabbed the chance to get in on the act.
Virtual interaction strategy backs Falcon Beach
The second season of Global’s Falcon Beach drew in more than a quarter million viewers across Canada on Jan. 5. But the net’s not just hoping to draw in viewers in the Friday 8 pm time slot – they’re hoping die-hard fans will interact with each other and the show’s stars in a virtual online environment. No sponsors at FalconBeach.ca yet, but the doors are open.
NASCAR rights deal to strengthen French audience
The TSN and RDS rights deal for the NASCAR Busch Series, effective this year, will deliver the second most popular racing series to Canadians and the promise of major multiplatform opportunities for marketers.
CTV sweeps a dozen
BBM/Nielsen Top 30 – Jan. 1-7, 2007
CTV’s Thursday night powerhouse CSI stayed strong at the top spot with an average minute audience of more than 3.3 million on BBM/Nieslen’s charts for Jan. 1-7. The net swept all but two of the top 15 spots for that week, pushing the only rival programs, Global’s Simpsons and Deal or No Deal way down to #13 and #15.
Putting the pleasure in Travel
No, it’s not a revival of that Cinemax show about an Internet dating service. The Pleasure Zone, a new Canadian original on Travel + Escape targeting newlyweds and 30-somethings, is about adding sexual exploration into the fun of the world’s most exotic destinations.
Thomson to enhance brand vision at S-VOX
She began her career at CTV. A decade ago, she received the highest honour from the Association of Film Commissioners International, the Arthur J. Loew Crystal Vision Award, for her success in furthering the movement of film commissions worldwide. Now, Gail Thomson’s set to take responsibility for the VisionTV brand and more.
Disney plays ambassador to waft snowbirds across border
The spectre of stricter passport control at the Canadian/US border has prompted Disney to don diplomatic duds and educate Canadians about new travel requirements to the US.
Volt Media casts net on Atlantic students
After only four months since its start-up, digital signage network Volt Media has secured high traffic sites at all major universities in Halifax and one in New Brunswick. It’s all part of the company’s aim to dominate digital OOH in Atlantic Canada’s youth/student market.
Sponsorship Marketing Council calls for award entries
The deadline for submissions for the third annual Sponsorship Marketing Awards is Feb. 28, and two new categories have been added. Winners will be announced on Apr. 23.
APTN promotes one, hires one
APTN has promoted Peter Strutt to be the net’s new director of programming and hired Sky Bridges as director of marketing.
Events
Staying Tuned 2007: Back to the Future of Audience Measurement
Jan. 23
Toronto
Organized and presented by BBM Canada and NADbank, the conference will focus on the latest theories and practices regarding audience measurement. Keynote speaker will be futurist/media commentator Richard Worzel, author of Who Owns Tomorrow? and 7 Secrets for the Future of Business. Other speakers include: Arbitron’s Joan FitzGerald, Arbitron, TNS’ George Shababb, the International Newspaper Marketing Association’s Earl J. Wilkinson and, from Toronto, Youthography’s Mike Farrell, D-Code’s Robert Barnard, Hay Research’s Alastair Hay and TNS Canadian Facts’ Gary Halpenny.
RMB Crystal Awards
March 9
Toronto
Advertisers, radio creatives and producers will be entertained by comedian Tim Steeves at this year’s RMB Crystal Awards gala, Canada’s primary celebration of the best radio creative in the country and a highlight of Canadian Music Week. Currently a staff writer for CBC’s Rick Mercer Report, Steeves has also written for several seasons of the Ceeb’s This Hour has 22 Minutes.
