NABS Canada unveils new board of directors and two web sites
The National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS) Canada has announced a new national board of directors headed by their new chair Sunni Boot (President & CEO of ZenithOptimedia Canada).
Other new national and regional initiatives include the launch of two new websites on Monday. One is the re-launch of the NABS Canada website (www.nabs.org), which received its first face lift by Toronto’s Foote Cone and Belding, and now encompasses the new initiatives and services that NABS has to offer (ie. workshops developed to address issues such as stress management and work/life balance). In conjunction with the launch of the NABS home website is the creation of the online information support to the new Quebec branch of NABS – BEC (Bénévolat d’entraide aux Communicateurs).
And for the sixth consecutive year, Zoom Media’s ongoing annual donation to NABS through their Zoom Agency Network has raised total corporate contributions of more than $250,000.
http://www.nabs.org
http://www.bec-nabs.org
The Walrus scores two IPA nomination nods
The Toronto-based magazine The Walrus has been nominated for two awards – best new title among magazines, and the best cultural and social coverage for their report on Grant Bristow, the CSIS agent who infiltrated white supremacist movements in the U.S. and Canada – in the annual Independent Press Awards for North American magazines.
Other awards for The Walrus have been three National Magazine Award gold medals for articles published in its first two issues in 2003.
CLX’s PollCast pulls in high response rate from text message campaigns
CLX, the wireless permission-based Atlanta, GA company is using Air2Web’s 2Notify solution to develop and power its opt-in text message application – PollCast. More than 20 instant market intelligence polls have been conducted for major retailers, consumer brands and marketing companies and the subscriber base is providing more than a 70% response rate to the simple text message inquiries.
Marriott International, Bellsouth, EDS and Hydrade are a few of the companies developing and launching pilot programs with CLX. PollCast allows its users to precisely target their audience at any level and analyze the results on their desktop in minutes and hours. PollCast campaigns to date have focused on consumer brands like sports drinks, athletic gear, clothing outlets and current events (the recent presidential debates). The subscriber base for PollCast (called MemberMatrix) is comprised of opt-in users from around the country, who sign up for free and must be 15 years and older. Subscriber responses are compensated by a reward of cash, points (hotel or rental car) or miles (airlines).
http://www.air2web.com
New ad tool makes its debut
Belo Interactive, the Dallas-based Internet subsidiary of Belo Corp., has launched AdCenter, a self-service advertising tool for businesses promoting products and services online. Available on Belo’s 24 local websites and powered by Amazing Media’s AdVariant product, advertisers can use the service to create rich-media display ads and geographically target their campaigns at Belo Interactive’s websites.
CBC’s comedic swipe at the U.S. presidential election has ad opps
In anticipation of the U.S. Presidential Election, CBC presents Just for Laughs Votes – Laughing at American Politics on Friday, October 29th at 9 p.m. Ian Hanomansing, host of CBC News: Canada Now, presides over the comical and scathing look at what makes the political landscape south of the border so funny. Comedians such as Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Rick Mercer and Rich Little skewer the election, the candidates, the war, past presidents and even the not-so-funny topic of terrorism.
Brand-sell opportunities and billboards remain in this one-of-a-kind comedy special.
CTV and The Comedy Network team up to deliver live U.S. election results on The Daily Show
Live from The Daily Show‘s news centre in New York, host Jon Stewart will helm Election Night 2004: Prelude to a Recount in an expanded one-hour primetime special that will be simulcast live across the country on The Comedy Network and CTV on Tuesday, November 2 at 10 p.m. In addition to its live broadcast, the special will immediately repeat at 11 p.m. on The Comedy Network.
New paranormal investigative series debuts on Space
The new weekly, hour-long series, Proof Positive, which examines the paranormal and explores other unexplained mysteries through interviews and documentary footage, will air on Space every Wednesday at 10 p.m. beginning November 3.
http://www.spacecast.com/shows/firstRun/proof_positive.asp
How to Monsterize Everything series hits Discovery Channel
The motto of building it bigger, better and bolder all comes together in this two-hour special How to Monsterize Everything set to premiere on Sunday, November 7 at 8 p.m. on Discovery Channel.
Featuring the three hosts from Monster Garage, Monster House and BIG! the team hits unsuspecting homeowners in their search for everyday things that inspire some creative reinvention – and the trio only have five days to monsterize everything.
http://dsc.discovery.com/schedule/episode.jsp?episode=0&cpi=24780&gid=0&channel=DSC
Wayne Newton leads the search for Las Vegas’ next big star in new reality series
Wayne Newton hits the road in a nationwide search for the next Las Vegas superstar in a new 10-part E! reality drama, The Entertainer. The new E! series follows ten performers (everything from vocalists to illusionists) as they go through various tasks and performance challenges in a weekly elimination. The last one standing earns a spot as a feature performer in Wayne Newton’s Las Vegas show.
The series is set to make its debut January 2005.
The Swan returns to CH for a second season
The Swan, which follows 18 women who take part in a physical, mental and emotional transformation and ultimately compete in a beauty pageant, will return with a two-hour premiere Monday, October 25 on CH Hamilton, CH Vancouver Island and CH Montreal at 8 p.m.
http://www.fox.com/swan/home.htm
Correction
In MIC’s October 14th news brief (Mediaedge:cia wins Paramount media biz but things are staying put in Canada) it was said the Toronto-based MBS/The Media Company would keep the Paramount account (in Canada), when in fact the planning and buying for the Paramount Home Entertainment business moves to Mediaedge:cia and the theatrical business will stay with Toronto-based MBS in Canada.
And in the programming brief (VisionTV’s new drama explores the secret lives of hairstylists) it was reported that Kink in My Hair would be airing on November 3 at 10 p.m., when it will be airing on November 23 at 10 p.m.
People — Passages, Moves & News
CFRB 1010 talk radio host Bill Carroll will be joining the Global News team taking over as host for Focus Ontario. Carroll makes his debut on the provincial political show on October 23.
Events
Print media professional can gather to discuss competitive advantage at the Audit Burea of Circulations’ (ABC) 90th Conference and Annual Meeting on November 10 – 12. The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto
http://www.accessabc.com/annlconf.html
BBM’s fall RTS survey paints a Canada with questionable morals and body piercings
The fall release of the BBM Canada RTS (return-to-sample) survey shows that although we’re a tech-savvy country, marriages and education could be suffering because of it.
The latest report shows a 17% increase in the number of married adults involved in Internet dating. Teens and young Canadians are using Internet chat rooms, downloading MP3 music files, and getting body piercings, but some are also needing to brush up their grades at private learning centres.
25% of Canadian households expected to own an HDTV set by end of 2005
Most Canadians are familiar with HDTV but household penetration of this technology is relatively non-existent. Recent research from Toronto-based Solutions Research Group found that 80% of Canadians are aware of HDTV, 66% have watched an HDTV set in an electronics store, 52% are interested in buying one – but only 2% of households actually own an HDTV set.
