Elettra

Canadian Chef Returns to James Beard House with a New Menu

2010-10-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

Calgary's Avenue magazine got the James Beard House Experience last Thursday.

Check out Kelsey Mulyk's review of Chef Chris Mills' dinner here.

Ultimate airport souvenir: $200,000 bottle of gin

2010-10-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure this would take MY martinis up a notch....

A unique bottle of gin that was unveiled for sale at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) last week. The bottle is Bacardi’s Bombay Sapphire Revelation, a remarkable $200,000 decanter of super premium gin.

Read all about it in Harriet Baskas' Stuck at the Airport blog:

http://stuckattheairport.com/2010/10/26/ultimate-airport-souvenir-200000-bottle-of-gin/

Chef Chris Mills on Tour

2010-10-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

Joey Executive Chef Chris Mills is currently on a media tour to share the five-course menu he has created for his upcoming appearance at James Beard House in New York City. This will be Chris' second appearance at James Beard House....which is often referred to as the Carnegie Hall for chefs.

From the reports we're hearing from media in Edmonton and Calgary, the menu is to die for! Seattle and Vancouver tastings are up next.

Chris visited Global Calgary over the weekend to share the delectable dessert course from his menu...a Vietnamese Banana Cake.

Airport's school tour is a soaring success

2010-10-14T10:44:00.000-07:00

Richmond students among the first to get look behind the scenes

by Alan Campbell

BC's Best Young Designer

2010-10-01T12:07:00.001-07:00

Designs on Winning

By Nick Greenizan

Film fest green-lights company’s hospitality software

2010-10-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

Vancouver-based firm develops online system for finding accommodations, with a discount

By Marke Andrews

Elettra enjoys a night out...

2010-09-30T15:47:00.001-07:00

...at the Western Living Design Awards.

From BCBusiness magazine's The Social List:

The Future Lands Here

2010-09-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

Vancouver International Airport's 2010 School Tour Program - The Future Lands Here - has launched.

Visit the YVR Connections blog to meet Elettra Communications' Siva Sivarajan, Heather Chang, and Emily Williamson, who will be guiding more than 2,700 Lower Mainland school children through tours of the airport this autumn.

BC's Best Young Designer

2010-09-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

South Surrey, BC; September 28, 2010 – Organizers today announced the launch of the BC’s Best Young Designer competition. Participants will compete for the title and a trip to the design mecca of New York City by applying their creative design skills to decorating and furnishing newly built suites in the Morgan Crossing village.

Up and coming designers - both professionals and amateurs alike - are encouraged to upload a personal video to www.bestyoungdesigner.com explaining why they deserve to win the BC’s Best Young Designer title. The deadline to submit is November 30, 2010.

The public is encouraged to visit the website to vote for their favourite entry before November 30. From the top 15 entries, a panel of judges will then choose six finalists who will be given a $10,000 budget and five weeks’ time to decorate and furnish a one-bedroom + den suite in Morgan Crossing.

In early January, once all six suites have been decorated, the competition units will be available for public viewing and voting. The public will determine one “fan favourite” winner who will win a $2,000 cash prize. The judges will also choose one overall winner who will receive a grand prize package that includes the title BC’s Best Young Designer and an all expenses paid trip to attend one of the world’s premiere design events, the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York City.

“We’re seeing a trend today with people from all walks of life becoming interested in and passionate about design,” says Michelle Hughes, Design Competition Director, Morgan Crossing. “Morgan Crossing is providing a blank canvas for those young designers who would like to experience decorating a residence with their own inspiration as their guide and a generous budget at their disposal.”

“Winning the title BC’s Best Young Designer will give a young interior designer credibility,” added Hughes. “To know that your peers and the public voted your design as the best will certainly provide an up and coming interior designer with an edge over others.”

The competition is open to all BC residents 30 years old or younger as of contest close on February 19, 2011. The competition is open to students, young designers, interior decorators, homeowners; anyone who wants to demonstrate their creativity. All entries must be creative, original and not violate copyright law.

Books for BC Babies in the Tri City News

2010-09-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

by Diane Strandberg

Credit unions urge B.C. youth to 'be remarkable'

2010-09-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

September 23, 2010
By Eve Lazarus

Vancouver-based Central 1, the trade association for B.C. and Ontario credit unions, has launched a $2.5 million marketing campaign in B.C. aimed at youth.

The "Be Remarkable" campaign includes an online media buy, guerrilla marketing, and a tent pole Facebook application all created by Noise Digital of Vancouver.

Noise Digital came up with the idea to ask Facebook users to help distribute $100,000 to local charities on Central 1's behalf. Each time program participants tag themselves or their friends in a Facebook photo in their region, $1 goes to a charity in that region. So far, more than 63,000 tags have been generated and the page has more than 22,000 "likes."

Noise Digital also had two ATMs placed on university campuses that, instead of dispensing money, played video games. The idea, said Reed, is to show that banks are not the only option for students.

The online and guerrilla work is supported by television ads from Wasserman + Partners Advertising.

Martin Reed, director of marketing and creative services at Central 1, said the year-long campaign targets 18- to 29-year olds and aims to differentiate credit unions from banks through their values.

While that age demographic makes up 27% of B.C.'s population, it accounts for only 8% of credit union members, he said. "We need to attract some youth."

Reed said research shows the values credit unions want to project–honesty, integrity, trust and loyalty–match those of younger people, as does their interest in community and local initiatives.

"We found that there is a lack of awareness of what credit unions are about and how they can match up with what youth are trying to achieve," he said, adding that youth tend to bank where their parents bank.

Facebook fundraiser through credit union

2010-09-22T21:55:00.000-07:00

By Cameron Orr
Smithers Interior News

Sixteen regions in B.C. are going head-to-head to find out which online community will reign in a credit union fundraiser.

The province’s 45 credit unions are using the power of social media juggernaut Facebook to donate $100,000 to local charities.

Each region has two charities eligible to receive funds. The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in Smithers is one of the two for the North, while the University of Northern British Columbia is the other.

The trick is, people have to tag themselves in a photo album on the campaign’s Facebook page. Each community has their own photo. Just find the photo of the Alpine man, with the word Smithers written across it, and tag yourself.

Per photo only 50 people can be tagged but there are multiple Smithers images, just find one with a free spot.

For each person tagged in a photo a dollar will be donated.

The campaign launched on Sept. 7 and so far over 60,000 tags have been generated, while the page itself has been liked 20,000.

Northern B.C. was in third place as of last week with 6,663 tags.

The page can be found at www.facebook.com/beremarkable or visit www.beremarkable.com.

Tacoma Regional CVB Launches Online Housing Reservation System

2010-09-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

Software expected to help region secure convention business

Tacoma, WA and Vancouver, BC: September 22, 2010 – Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) announced today the signing of an agreement with Meetingmax Systems to handle its online housing reservation needs. The CVB made the decision in order to meet the growing calls from meeting planners for a simplified housing solution.

“Meetingmax’s system has an excellent reputation within the travel industry,” says Shauna Lunde, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Tacoma Regional CVB. “Meeting planners have had positive experiences with the system in other destinations and have been requesting the service from us.”

With 87 hotels and 6,000 hotel rooms, the Tacoma Regional CVB was looking for a system that could simplify the process of reserving room blocks at a variety of hotels. Instead of having to use each hotel’s system to track bookings, a meeting planner can secure blocks of housing through the CVB and manage their bookings through one central portal. Conference attendees are sent a link which allows them to explore participating hotels and book their own rooms.

“In today’s competitive market, having an online housing reservation system is another service that CVBs can offer their meeting planners,” says Jeff Duncan, COO, Meetingmax Systems. “It’s a value added benefit that can help Tacoma and Pierce County attract business.”

Meetingmax’s system was selected based on its user-friendly interface and the fact that it does not have minimum booking requirements. The system has received positive feedback from other Washington destinations and is now used by CVBs in Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Yakima.

Located just 18 miles south of the Seattle-Tacoma Airport on the I5 corridor, Pierce County is an easy to reach destination for convention attendees. The region offers a wide variety of activities ranging from fine dining and harbor tours, to kayaking and hiking at Mt. Rainier. Visitors can easily explore Tacoma’s historic and cultural attractions on foot, including the Museum of Glass featuring the work of renowned glass artists.

Credit unions go back to school

2010-09-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Media in Canada

by Craig MacBride

Central 1, the organization representing credit unions in BC and Ontario, is going to school.

Spanning TV, social media and on-campus OOH, the "Be Remarkable" campaign targets 18- to 29-year-olds with the goal of explaining the difference between credit unions and banks, Martin Reed, director of marketing and creative services, Central 1, tells MiC.

"Most people this age don't know how credit unions are different," he explains. "This shows how we [as an organization] align with the values of people this age."

In BC, the on-campus OOH includes banners and bathroom stall ads at universities and colleges across the province, as well as fake promotional ATMs at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. Designed to look like typical ATMs from a distance, up close they are revealed to be video consoles, complete with joystick and retro games such as Donkey Kong, Frogger, and Pac-Man.

The ads and the machines, which will be on-campus until mid-October, drive students to the microsite BeRemarkable.com, where humorous stop-motion videos talk up the benefits of credit unions. One of the main messages of the videos is that credit unions have "members," not customers and as such, are more community-minded and less profit-oriented than the big banks.

In their first campaign for Central 1, Vancouver-based Noise handled the OOH and online creative, as well as the online media plan and buy. The online strategy includes Google, Gorilla Nation, Olive Media, and Rouge Media online networks, as well as inventory on Sympatico.ca and via Microsoft Messenger. Video pre-roll and rich media banners were also placed on Break Media, Tremor Media and Tribal Fusion networks.

Vancouver-based Wasserman and Partners created the television ads, which are airing around Glee, The Simpsons, The Office, So You Think You Can Dance (US and Canadian versions), Hockey Night in Canada, and Grey's Anatomy. The ads will run, with a break over the Christmas holidays, until April 2011.

There is also a charitable focus to the campaign, harnessing the power of Facebook to allow anyone to tag their friends on the Central 1 page. With each friend a person tags, the credit unions donate $1 to a charity in the tagger's region.

To date, there have been 63,000 tags from across BC. The Facebook campaign continues until the $100,000 is used up.

Books for BC Babies needs $250K to survive

2010-09-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Burnaby NewsLeader
By Wanda Chow

A program credited with encouraging parents to read to their babies and boosting early literacy needs more than $250,000 to continue after the provincial government cut its funding earlier this year.

Since 2005, Books for BC Babies has provided free kits to every baby born in the province, each of which include a board book, a CD of rhymes and songs and information on library resources and how to promote early childhood development.

In 2009, the program distributed more than 40,000 kits, mainly during the first visit by a public health nurse to a home after a baby’s birth. While organizers have enough materials to produce kits for the rest of the year, they need to raise more than $250,000 in donations and sponsorships to carry on in 2011. Each kit costs about $7 to produce.

But while the materials are an integral part of the program, Edel Toner-Rogala, Burnaby’s chief librarian, stressed it’s not just about the free book.

“Reading to your baby isn’t just about the book,” said Toner-Rogala, of Burnaby Public Library, one of the provincewide partners in the program.

“It’s about exposing your child to language and the importance of speaking to your baby. People underestimate that. Children learn to speak by being spoken to, spoken with.”

It’s an introduction to language skills that is fundamental to all future development and learning, she said, adding when parents read with their children it also builds the bond between them.

“It’s all about getting them ready to read. It’s about recognizing the magic. There’s this sense that these markings on this piece of paper somehow translates to sounds and ideas that I can understand.”

A 2008 survey of parents in the program showed some had not thought of reading to newborns before. As a result of Books for BC Babies, more than 60 per cent were looking at books with their babies more often, 60 per cent were checking out baby materials from the library and 91 per cent planned to attend library programs for parents and infants.

The survey also showed the program impacted parents directly as well, with 50 per cent saying they were using the library more often, and 34 per cent joining the library for the first time.

Toner-Rogala noted that when babies are spoken and read to, benefits such as language skills take place no matter what language it happens in. Books for BC Babies even provides bilingual books in several different languages to promote an improved sense of cultural identity and for non-English-speaking caregivers, such as grandparents, to participate.

For more information or to donate, visit http://books4babies.bclibrary.ca/for-supporters.

VIFF Attendees Get the Sundance Treatment

2010-09-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Meetingmax Systems to provide housing reservation technology for film festival

Vancouver, BC; September 16, 2010 – While organizers of the Vancouver International Film Festival have countless details to worry about, this year they won’t be worrying about hotel reservations. As a festival sponsor, Vancouver-based Meetingmax Systems will be providing its online housing reservation technology to manage room bookings for visiting filmmakers, VIPs and guests. This follows the successful use of the online platform at last year’s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

“We were looking for a way to make sure that housing arrangements for our guests would run seamlessly and were impressed with the results that Meetingmax produced at Sundance,” said Betty Verkuil, Director of Development, VIFF. “Having the support of local companies for our festival is critical for our success. We’re pleased to have technology developed by a Vancouver business play a key role in the festival’s logistics.”

With eight hotels providing rooms for the festival, VIFF organizers wanted to simplify the process of reserving rooms for VIPs and guests. Instead of having to use each hotel’s system, organizers can manage all hotel bookings through one central portal.

While Meetingmax is based in Vancouver, the organization primarily works with convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), meeting planners, and organizations in the United States. This will mark one of the first times that the system will be used in Vancouver by local hotels and event planners.

“Our partnership with VIFF will allow potential clients to explore the customizable features of our online booking platform,” says Jeff Duncan, COO, Meetingmax Systems. “In turn, our system will streamline the housing reservations process for festival organizers, which can otherwise be an unnecessarily time-consuming element of event management.”

Duncan developed Meetingmax’s online housing reservation platform after years of organizing events and conferences. Given the time required to manage rooms at various hotels for events, he began looking for an existing software solution that could streamline the process. After an unsuccessful search, he spearheaded the development of Meetingmax’s own software in 2007.

Since then, the company has seen steady growth. The software is now used by CVBs in more than 20 destinations across North America. In 2009, Meetingmax was responsible for processing more than $7 million in hotel transactions.

“Our CVB clients have responded with positive feedback on their experiences with the Meetingmax system,” continues Duncan. “We are hearing that conference planners are now asking for the service from CVBs before making a final decision on which city gets their conference business.”

Books for BC Babies...

2010-09-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

...in Okanagan Child Magazine.

Books for BC Babies

2010-09-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

Books 4 BC Babies in today's Vancouver Sun.

Author's 'uncle enzymes' fuelled bestselling book for newborns

BY DARAH HANSEN, VANCOUVER SUN
Richard Van Camp knew he was on to something special from the moment he began writing Welcome Song for Baby.

The Edmonton-based author was commissioned to write the book in 2006 just as close friends announced they were expecting their first child, followed quickly by news his brother and sister-in-law were also about to become new parents.

"I had uncle enzymes coursing through me," Van Camp recalled of his literary inspiration. "I wanted to put all that love, all those good wishes into this little lullaby.

The result was a Canadian bestseller, with parents and newborns across the country responding warmly to the board book's stunning photography and endearing storyline.

"Hey-yah-hey. Hey-yah-hey. Heyyah-hey. Dear one, cherished one, loved one. You have made the world beautiful again," the story reads -- its refrain a rhythmic tribute to Van Camp's aboriginal roots as a member of the Dogrib Dene from the Northwest Territories.

For Rhian Piprell, co-chair of Books for BC Babies, Welcome Song's unexpected success was one more reason to celebrate the importance of early literary.

Piprell's organization commissioned the story as part of its continuing mission to supply new moms and dads in the province with tools they need to engage their children in reading, as early as possible. Each year the organization releases a book by a Canadian author to about 42,000 families across B.C., along with a CD of songs and an information guide encouraging parents to read to their newborns.

"Reading, talking and singing to newborns are the best ways to build early language and literacy skills -- skills that impact a child's lifelong development," Piprell said.

"By providing a parenting resource at a crucial stage of a child's life, we can give kids the best chance at future success."

Hillel Goelman, an education professor at the University of B.C., said there is significant research to support the notion that children can learn much from books, even at a young age.

Early on, Goelman said, children associate positive emotions from the sensation of being held and cuddled by their parents or caregivers during storytime. "It creates an expectation that reading is a very pleasurable activity. It's fun," he said.

Reading is also a critical element in a child's vocabulary development. "They are building up a comprehension, the ability to understand what words mean," Goelman said.

Van Camp said he's thrilled to be part of a child's lifelong love of literacy.

"The things that you are passing on to a growing miracle have to be chosen really carefully so that's where Welcome Song for Baby really came from.

"It's really from that deep love that I have for humanity and wanting to pass on a great spirit every night it was read, wherever it was read." To learn more about Books for BC Babies, and how to contribute, go to http://books4babies.bclibrary.ca/

2010-09-14T11:42:00.000-07:00

Books for BC Babies in Jeopardy

Vancouver, BC; September 14, 2010 – Books for BC Babies (B4B) is urgently seeking financial support in order to continue operations. B4B is an early literacy and parenting program that seeks to address developmental challenges at the earliest stages in the lives of all BC children, including the twenty-nine per cent that arrive at Kindergarten developmentally vulnerable.1 In order to operate in 2011, B4B needs to raise more than $250,000 through private donations or sponsorships before January.

B4B was launched in BC in 2005, and had been fully funded by the provincial government until recent cutbacks. The program is based on extensive research that supports the correlation between positive newborn environments and children’s future success rates. The program delivers learning resources directly to families of all newborns in BC and connects them to additional resources in their community. In 2009, more than 40,000 resource kits were distributed.

“Reading, talking, and singing to newborns are the best ways to build early language and literacy skills – skills that impact a child’s lifelong development,” says Rhian Piprell, Co-Chair, Books for BC Babies. “By providing a parenting resource at a crucial stage of a child’s life, we can give kids the best chance at future success.”

Research conducted by The Council for Early Child Development has demonstrated that newborn experiences matter. The relationship between caregiver and infant plays a pivotal role in influencing neural pathways for language and higher cognitive functions, especially within the first 12 months of a child’s life.2

“Early childhood development depends upon the experiences children have in the environments where they grow,” says Dr. Clyde Hertzman, Director, Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) UBC. “The Books for BC Babies program provides families with the resources they need early in the child's life to begin to create the positive experiences that influence the child’s subsequent life chances.”

In most communities, public libraries work with public health nurses and health centres to deliver the Books for BC Babies Resource Kits to families of newborns. The kits include tools to get families started in reading, singing, and playing with their babies. Materials include a guide for parents, a board book, a CD of rhymes and songs, and information about local library and community resources.

In order to save the program, the B4B Steering Committee is looking for donations from the public and has developed a full range of sponsorship opportunities for the private sector. Given that the program is delivered by existing resources, one hundred percent of funds raised will be used to purchase Books for BC Babies kits. Each kit costs approximately seven dollars.

Donations can be made online at http://books4babies.bclibrary.ca/for-supporters. Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact program co-chairs Rhian Piprell at 604-937-4132 (or via email rpiprell@library.coquitlam.bc.ca) or Jim Looney at 604-435-1551 (Jim.Looney@shaw.ca).

1 “15 by 15”, The Business Council of BC. www.earlylearning.ubc.ca/for-you/business/

2 “The Science of Early Child Development.” Council for Early Child Development. April 2010.

Be Remarkable

2010-09-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Prince George Citizen picked up the Be Remarkable Facebook community campaign.

South Shore CVA Teams With Meetingmax

2010-08-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

CVA signs agreement to streamline housing reservations for visiting sports teams

Hammond, IN and Vancouver, BC; August 25, 2010 – As part of its ongoing investment in technology, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (CVA) has engaged Meetingmax Systems to handle its online housing reservation needs. Through the agreement, South Shore CVA will use Meetingmax’s system to manage housing bookings for conference and event attendees, including teams traveling to the region’s numerous sports tournaments.

“While convention traffic is important to us, our region’s core strength lies in our ability to host major sports tournaments,” says Speros Batistatos, President and CEO of the South Shore CVA. “But this type of business requires that we book teams and their families into numerous hotels across the region. Meetingmax’s system helps us streamline that process for our customers and hoteliers.”

By using Meetingmax’s system, instead of having to call different hotels and reserve rooms with their own credit card, a coach or event planner can make one call to the CVA to secure room blocks. Each tournament attendee is then directed to log onto the system to book and pay for their own room.

“Instead of spending our budget on visitors’ guides, we are investing in technology and improving the efficiency of our marketing efforts,” continues Batistatos. “By having people reserve their housing through us, we can break down the demographics, learn more about our customers, and build a targeted email database.”

Meetingmax’s system ties directly into the CVA’s award-winning email marketing program. Once guests have booked in, the CVA sends them their room confirmation along with information about what to do when they arrive and coupons for partner restaurants and attractions. After checkout, the CVA emails visitors a survey to gauge their satisfaction with the hotel, local restaurants, and sports facilities. South Shore then provides this feedback to the other organizations.

“Our system helps South Shore build relationships and alleviate their clients’ stress by not having to run around and contract with different hotels,” says Jeff Duncan, COO, Meetingmax Systems. “We can provide their event planners with quantitative data that they can use to plan next year’s event. For example, by tracking bookings, we know that their teams want to book at hotels with a pool, that offer continental breakfast, or are close to certain facilities.”

As part of its selection process, South Shore looked at several other housing systems but ultimately selected Meetingmax for its user-friendly interface, customizable features, and affordable per-reservation fee.

In addition to deploying online housing, South Shore has also embraced other technology to improve service and efficiency. Recently, the organization launched a mobi site for mobile phones and has deployed advanced database marketing tools to help drive tourist traffic.

About South Shore CVA:
The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority is the sales and marketing organization leading the hospitality industry and supporting its partners in the development and promotion of tourist attractions along Indiana's south shore of Lake Michigan.

Nimby Burger Opens in Vancouver

2010-07-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

In addition to all the buzz about Nimby Burger in town, Canada's foodservice industry has also been paying attention. Check out this morning's feature on Foodserviceworld.com.

Canadian Direct Insurance makes some Noise

2010-06-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

June 22, 2010

By Eve Lazarus

Canadian Direct Insurance has appointed Noise as its agency of record. Noise has worked as the Vancouver-based company's digital agency for the past six years, while Publicis Vancouver most recently handled creative.

Trisha Tyrrell, senior manager, business development, said Noise will handle all creative including television, print and radio, as well as develop marketing strategies to increase brand awareness.

"After working with multiple agencies for the past few years, we wanted to find one strategic partner to handle all of our needs," she said. "With the way lines have blurred between traditional and digital advertising, we needed an agency capable of executing any kind of integrated campaign across any platform."

Trevor Carr, president and CEO at Vancouver-based Noise, said he's seeing more digital agencies in the U.S. leading marketing strategy and believes that trend will continue here in Canada. "We've always viewed ourselves as an agency first," he said. "We think everything is digital and it doesn't make a difference if it's television, radio or print. These days everything needs to be through a digital lens."

Canadian Direct names Noise as AOY

2010-06-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

Media In Canada

News Briefs
by Katie Bailey

Canadian Direct Insurance has named Vancouver and Toronto-based digital agency Noise as its full-service agency of record.

The move, announced yesterday, brings all of Canadian Direct's marketing initiatives together under one provider. Noise will now handle traditional and digital campaign strategies, as well as media buying and planning.

The companies have been working together for six years on digital strategies, and in the past two years, the lines between traditional and digital media campaigns were blurring, so it made sense to go with a single agency for both, Trisha Tyrrell, senior manager, business development, Canadian Direct, tells MiC.

"They've been involved with our traditional campaigns for the past couple years and since they've been involved, I've found that their creative ideas and way of thinking were taking the lead," she explains. "[Going forward] I wasn't interested in working with two different agencies and I felt that Noise could do the job on both sides."

Canadian Direct's digital strategies have been almost too successful in recent years, Tyrrell says. When the insurer started driving people to its website to book their auto insurance online, it quickly consumed 60% of their business, she explains, which was too much for the company to handle. They've since dialed back their marketing creative drive-to-web and that part of the business now sits at a more-manageable 30%, she says.

Online tactics will continue to be a priority for Canadian Direct's media planning, a release on the announcement stated, but TV, print and radio will remain in the mix. The company declined to comment on its average media spend.

Canadian Direct Insurance Appoints Digital Agency as Lead

2010-06-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

Noise hired as advertising AOR for insurance company

Vancouver, BC; June 14, 2010 – Canadian Direct Insurance announced today that it has named Noise as its advertising agency of record. Noise has been working as Canadian Direct’s digital agency for the past six years and has now been tasked with providing full service to Canadian Direct.

The bold move comes as agencies and clients around the world are trying to determine whether marketing efforts should be led by traditional or digital agencies. In this era that Forrester has dubbed the Adaptive Marketing Era, significant confusion has arisen for marketers as to the roles of different agencies.

“After working with multiple agencies for the past few years, we wanted to find one strategic partner to handle all of our needs,” says Trisha Tyrrell, Senior Manager, Business Development, Canadian Direct. “Ultimately with the way that lines have blurred between traditional and digital advertising, we needed an agency capable of executing any kind of integrated campaign across any platform.”

Canadian Direct’s goals for Noise are to develop strategic marketing initiatives and increase brand awareness. While online tactics are a priority, the agency will be responsible for all creative execution including TV, print and radio.

The announcement is notable as it is rare to see digital agencies offered the opportunity to lead. According to Sean Corcoran, a Senior Analyst with Forrester “most interactive marketers don't trust their traditional agencies with digital work and yet most don't believe their interactive agencies are ready to lead yet either.”

One of Noise’s strengths is its mix of in-house talent. The agency’s creative team is lead by co-creative directors Brock Ellis and Michael Milardo. Ellis’ background lies in digital, while Milardo’s experience was gained at tier one advertising agencies such as Rethink, TBWA, BBDO Berlin, and Ogilvy Copenhagen.

“I have a great deal of comfort with Noise’s ability to deliver offline work,” continues Tyrrell. “Given their team and their track record with us, I am confident that they will deliver. In six years of working with them, they have never failed me.”

“This opportunity proves what we have been preaching for years: ultimately all work is digital,” says Trevor Carr, President and CEO, Noise. “Our clients are now giving us more opportunities to lead their entire account. It is a vote of confidence in the model that we have created and the teams that we have built in Vancouver and Toronto.”

Collector Takes Home $34,000 Souvenir from YVR

2010-06-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

Last week a rare bottle of Rémy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl cognac was sold at the Aldeasa Duty Free store in the International Terminal of Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The bottle of Remy Martin cognac sold for $34,000 to a couple who were on their return home to Mainland China.

Anthony Gismondi writes about the significance of the sale in the Vancouver Sun.

Elettra is hiring a summer intern

2010-06-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

Elettra Communications is looking for a star intern. This position will appeal to students or recent graduates who are looking to start their Communications career. Ideally, candidates will be enrolled in or will have completed a public relations or communications program.

The chosen candidate will gain valuable experience in media relations, event coordination, and account/office administration.

The ideal candidate will have strong writing skills, an impeccable work ethic, and a demonstrated interest in public relations.

This position is four days per week (Monday- Thursday). It is an unpaid internship with a monthly honourarium of $500.

Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to simone@elettra.ca no later than Monday, June 7.

Sweetspot visits Nimby Burger

2010-05-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

Burger Alert

Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards - Okanagan Chapter

2010-05-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

The Okanagan's new GoGo magazine also covered the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards.

Click here for the full article.

The Socialist: Vancouver Parties & People

2010-05-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

by: Sheryl Kristie Yen

BC Business Magazine has posted their shots from the Official Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards Afterparty at the Joey Bentall One Wine Room.

Here are a few, but you can check out the rest here.

Everyone's Going to Nimby Buger

2010-05-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost here (if only someone would tell that to the sun!) and everyone is craving burgers at the beach. It's the perfect time for the opening of Nimby Burger...check out some of the coverage below...

Vancouver Foodster

Nimby Burger Opening

Foodists

Nimby Burger

Vitamin Daily

Beachside Burgers

Kitsilano.ca

Nimby Burger to call Kits Beach Home

(photo: Foodists.ca)

Noise puts fun into Tic Tac Revolution

2010-05-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hollie Shaw, Financial Post

Noise Digital has launched the Tic Tac Small Fun Revolution for Ferrero Canada, a new digital brand campaign aimed at engaging 18-to-29-year-olds through sharing videos and creating and uploading creations that feature Tic Tacs or Tic Tac boxes. "A 'small fun revolution' is a way of seeing the world," says Trevor Carr, president and chief executive of Noise Digital. "Fun is everywhere -- you just need to look for it. The campaign provides the platform to share some fun with each other." It involves the site www.tictacsmallfun.ca,a branded YouTube channel, a Facebook fan page, Twitter, display advertising, two iPhone applications and social media. Noise also conducted a cross-country search to find artists to become Tic Tac Ambassadors, resulting in a video of a musician performing with Tic Tacs and their cases and a stop-motion film of two Tic Tac cases playing tennis.

Van mag honours best of best

2010-05-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

24hrs Vancouver picked up the results of Tuesday's Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards.

Vancouver Magazine Announces Winners of 21st Annual Restaurant Awards

2010-05-19T11:27:00.000-07:00

More than 700 of the city’s chefs, sommeliers and food critics gathered yesterday at the Sher aton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel for the 21st Annual Vancouver magazine Restaurant Awards. The gala brought them together to celebrate excellence in B.C.’s culinary industry.

“Between the Olympics and the recession, it’s been a whirlwind year in the food and beverage industry,” said Vancouver magazine editor-in-chief, Gary Stephen Ross. “Yesterday’s event offered everybody a well-deserved break and an opportunity to socialize, have fun, and reflect on their successes.”

Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar took top honours, being named Restaurant of the Year and winning Gold in the Best Seafood category. It was also a finalist in Best Service, Best Regional and Best Formal Japanese (Raw Bar at Blue Water). And Blue Water’s chef, Frank Pabst, was recognized as Chef of the Year, having played an integral role on Vancouver’s culinary scene since 1993. Originally from Germany, Pabst worked at Lumière and Pastis before joining Blue Water in 2003.

Sinclair Philip was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while his Sooke Harbour House won Best Vancouver Island. Since opening their restaurant and inn 31 years ago, he and his wife Fréderique have been internationally lauded for their pioneering use of fresh, local ingredients, many from their own garden.

In a year that saw a variety of exciting new openings, Campagnolo won the title of Best New Restaurant. Thai hotspot Maenam took Silver, while Jean-Georges’s Market won Bronze as well as nabbing Design of the Year.

Perennial favourites Vij’s, Le Crocodile and Tojo’s won as Best Indian, Best Formal French and Best Formal Japanese. CinCin and Araxi reclaimed their titles of Best Last Course and Best Whistler. Uva Wine Bar took Gold as Best Bar/Lounge.

For a list of the full results, please click here.

It’s not just a mint, it’s a Small Fun Tic Tac Revolution

2010-05-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

Noise Digital leads integrated campaign for Ferrero Brands

Toronto, ON and Vancouver, BC; May 12, 2010 – Ferrero Canada has launched the Tic Tac Small Fun Revolution, a fully integrated digital brand campaign for its Tic Tac brand. The national campaign was created by Noise Digital and is part of a brand re-launch that is seeking to engage youth aged 18 to 29.

“A Small Fun Revolution is a way of seeing the world. Fun is everywhere; you just need to look for it. It may not change your life, but it’ll definitely make it a bit more fun," says Trevor Carr, President & CEO, Noise Digital. “The campaign provides the platform to share some fun with each other.”

The campaign is designed to engage the target audience with ‘small fun’ moments whether that is by sharing videos created by Tic Tac Ambassadors; creating and uploading their own content using Tic Tacs or their iconic boxes; or by downloading one of two iPhone games.

The campaign asks visitors to join the Small Fun Revolution by submitting their own Tic Tac creation for a chance to win 24 hours of small fun with $5,000. The first 1,000 submissions also receive a Tic Tac T-shirt.

“The goal of the campaign was to re-engage consumers with the Tic Tac brand by tapping into an existing online fan base and sharing that sense of fun,” continues Carr. “By turning Tic Tacs into a whimsical piece of entertainment content, we are activating social media network platforms and encouraging users to share content with their networks.”

The Tic Tac Small Fun Revolution is supported across numerous digital platforms: www.tictacsmallfun.ca, a branded YouTube channel, a Facebook fan page, Twitter, display advertising, two iPhone applications, SEO and a comprehensive social media outreach program.

Another facet of the campaign is a unique partnership with Much Music. There is a co-branded microsite on muchmusic.com, VJ mentions, a Much On Demand takeover day (May 10th) and three ten-second branded promo commercials.

“The engagement strategy that Noise developed is innovative in that we are not depending on a large paid media component,” says Gabriel Verkade, Sr. Brand Manager for Tic Tac. “Rather than spend large amounts of media dollars on driving traffic to a brand site, we understand that consumers want to engage with quality content on their own terms, meaning when they want and, more importantly, where they want. So we focused on creating engaging content and making it available on a variety of social media network platforms."

To seed the site with content that could easily be shared across multiple social media platforms, Noise conducted a Canada-wide search to find artists to become Tic Tac Ambassadors. The result was three videos: one that features a musician performing using only Tic Tacs and their cases; a stop-motion film of two Tic Tac cases playing tennis; and a mousetrap-style, domino-effect featuring the mints.

The campaign launched on April 26th and has already gained significant traction. The two iPhone games, Small Fun Hockey and ‘Mazing have been downloaded 9,000 times in more than 90 countries. Despite the fact that paid media didn’t start running until May 10th, there have already been 10,000 social media mentions.

Nimby Burger Opens in Vancouver’s Backyard

2010-05-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

On May 21st, Kits Beach will have a walk-up burger stand where the food is as good as the view. Nimby Burger, located at the corner of Cornwall & Yew, is a fresh take on the beachside burger window, and will offer quality burgers, hand-cut French fries, and real ice cream milkshakes.

“Nimby Burger was inspired by countless road trips down the coast to California with my father, Bus Fuller,” says Jeff Fuller, President of the Joey Restaurant Group. “There is nothing quite like the taste of the burgers from those beachside joints in California. There’s just something about the surf and the sun, with a juicy burger and a shake.”

Though Nimby Burger at Kits Beach will be a casual, walk-up window, the focus is still on fresh, quality ingredients. The burgers and cheeseburgers are made from 100 per cent premium chuck beef and topped with crisp lettuce and red ripe tomatoes. Nimby’s French fries are made from hand-cut Yukon Gold potatoes, which are fried to order and sea-salted. A chocolate, strawberry or vanilla ice cream milkshake tops off the perfect seaside meal.

“My father and I have always talked about opening a classic burger shack in our own backyard,” says Fuller. “But we decided it would be even better to open it in Vancouver’s backyard…Kits Beach.”

Nimby Burger’s uncomplicated menu includes just five well-made items. Prices range from $2.99 for a basic burger, to $5.49 for a Dooblay (double burger with cheese). Milkshakes are $2.99, and French fries are $2.49.

During the summer, Nimby Burger will be open from 11am daily.

Noise Digital to market Nature's Path snacks

2010-04-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hollie Shaw
Published: Friday, April 09, 2010

Nature's Path Organic Foods has selected Noise Digital to market its organic granola bars after a North American agency review. "We did our due diligence in looking at agencies and Noise was by far the best integrated agency demonstrating examples of truly customized marketing solutions," said Rosy Atwal, senior brand manager at Nature's Path. Nature's Path, a privately held, family owned business based in Richmond, B.C., makes breakfast foods and snacks sold in 40 countries. Noise will be responsible for promoting a trial of Nature's Path organic granola bars in key North American markets. The campaign will include online and retail promotions at retail. As lead agency, Noise will will be responsible for strategy, media planning and buying, and campaign execution.

Calling All PR Students: Elettra is looking for event volunteers

2010-04-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: We have now filled our volunteer roster for this event. Thank you to everyone who offered to volunteer!

Elettra Communications, producer of Vancouver magazine’s Restaurant Awards, is looking for student volunteers to assist with Vancouver’s premier restaurant industry event. This opportunity will appeal to students who have an interest in public relations, publishing, marketing, or event management.

Now in its 21^st year, Vancouver magazine’s Restaurant Awards is the biggest event of its kind in North America. Twenty of the city’s top food critics form the judging panel and vote on the best dining experience in more than 30 categories. The event itself includes a reception and awards show. The annual extravaganza welcomes more that 700 restaurateurs, chefs, sommeliers, suppliers, and food and wine critics.

Dates:

Tuesday, May 18^th 10:30am – 6pm (required)
Monday, May 17^th 1pm – 4pm (if available)

Volunteers will assist with a range of activities including:

Event set up
Gift bag assembly and distribution
Guest check-in
Awards presenting/backstage coordination
Coat check

Benefit to you:

Event coordination experience.
Exposure to the behind-the-scenes workings of a large event.
Opportunity to build contacts in the PR, marketing, and publishing industries.
Lunch will be provided.

Dress code:

All black. No jeans; no running shoes/sneakers.

How to apply:

If you would like to volunteer for this opportunity, please contact simone@elettra.ca. In your email please provide a brief introduction to yourself, and include a description of your current course of study and your contact information.

Credit unions court an elusive customer: Youth

2010-04-12T13:02:00.000-07:00

Long-term future of the B.C. financial institutions depends on their ability to balance an aging customer base with younger members now

Curt Cherewayko
Business in Vancouver

BC credit unions admit that they have had a hard time attracting youth.

While one in three British Columbians, or 1.7 million, are credit union members, only about 9% of them are in the 18- to 29-year-old demographic.

B.C. credit unions are making a concerted marketing push this year to court that demographic and bring some balance to their somewhat lopsided and largely aging customer base.

“If we don’t focus on this age group, then our membership will slowly dwindle and we won’t have the critical mass to be able to continue doing business,” said Kelly McNeill-Sproxton, marketing manager for Vancity.

Central 1 Credit Union, the umbrella organization that represents credit unions in B.C., is leading the charge with a $2 million marketing campaign that will target 18-to-29-year-olds – who loosely fit into the generation Y demographic – across a number of advertising mediums.

In the next couple years, Central 1’s goal is to double its percentage of 18- to-29- year-old members.

According to Martin Reed, Central 1’s director of marketing and creative services, credit unions have traditionally targeted consumers above the age 30.

At that age, he said, consumers begin to more seriously consider financial products and services like mortgages, loans and RRSPs.

To read more, click here.

Bring On The Wind

2010-03-31T14:50:00.000-07:00

The North Shore Outlook just uploaded their feature on the upcoming West Vancouver Yacht Club Southern Straits Classic.

If you are looking for a way to kick off the Easter weekend, come and watch competitive sailing up close.

Here are the details:

The West Vancouver Yacht Club is proudly hosting the 42nd Annual Southern Straits Classic. This sailing regatta is a West Coast racing tradition and an Easter Weekend ritual for sailors, their families and the community.

More than 60 boats and 400 sailors will race across Georgia Strait in this challenging overnight event - a true test of sailors’ strategy, skill and endurance. Racers from around the Pacific Northwest, and as far away as Hawaii, will participate in this year’s event.

In addition to the on-water activity, there will be family and community activities taking place near the start line at Dundarave Pier. The community is invited to begin their weekend with a pancake breakfast benefiting the Lions Society, followed by music from the West Vancouver Pops Band. There will also be a live commentary about participating boats as well as a special visit from the Easter Bunny.

Festivities will begin Good Friday April 2nd at 9 a.m.
The race’s starting sequences will begin at 10:25 a.m.
Easter celebrations will continue at Dundarave Village on Saturday, April 3rd with their annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Dundarave Pier
25th Street and Bellevue Ave.
West Vancouver

For more information, please visit www.southernstraits.ca or call WVYC at 604.921.7575.

Joey Restaurants Offer a Cup of Care

2010-03-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

From the Vancouver Sun:

The initiative was part of Joey Restaurant Group's Cup of Care program to help address hunger in its communities. In Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto, the company donated 10,000 cups of nutritious soup to community groups, and its staff volunteered more than 100 hours at food banks, shelters, and community drop-in centres.

Credit Unions of BC Looks Online for Next Generation of Members

2010-03-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

Noise Digital to lead online strategy for credit union cooperative advertising program

Vancouver, BC; March 23, 2010 – Central 1 Credit Union, the central financial facility and trade association for the B.C. and Ontario credit union systems, has engaged Noise Digital as its digital agency of record for the Cooperative Advertising Program for the Credit Unions of BC.

The agency has been tasked with building awareness of the credit union brand amongst 18 to 29-year-olds in British Columbia. Noise won the account after a competitive bid process that began before Christmas.

“This is an exciting assignment for us because the Credit Unions of BC are interested in exploring how Digital can anchor their overall marketing direction, not just sit at the fringe,” says Mark Nishiguchi, Managing Partner, Noise Digital. “Given the target audience, it makes complete sense to focus the strategy online.”

While BC credit unions have a solid membership base of 1.7 million – more than 1 in 3 British Columbians – research has shown that many in the next generation of potential members are unaware of credit unions and how they differ from banks. The long-term goal of the program is to educate this target market on the benefits of credit unions and grow the membership base. Many in the target audience share the values of the credit union system: honesty, community, trust and loyalty.

“We were looking for a partner who had demonstrated success in delivering a digital strategy to this market,” says Martin Reed, Director, Marketing & Creative Services, Central 1. “What pleased us about Noise is that they really challenged our idea of what Digital could be and they are stretching us in a new direction.”

The agency’s first assignment will be a fall marketing campaign. While still in the early stages of development, the campaign will focus on a new community program and will likely include social media, OOH, and a variety of online and offline activation tactics. The campaign will include new TV spots created by Wasserman + Partners Advertising.

WE ASKED YOU: What’s your favourite Olympic memory?

2010-03-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

The Province
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Susan Lazaruk, Staff Reporter

MR. MOOSE, Canada:
“The closing ceremony, where I was the star. And it was nice to see so many moose antlers in the crowd.”

Vancouver's airport in midst of mass exodus

2010-03-01T15:43:00.000-08:00

The Westwind Choir entertains travellers at YVR on March 1. They even serenaded John Furlong with a spirited version of O Canada.

Heck of an Olympic ride

2010-03-01T15:25:00.000-08:00

24hrs - On The Town
Michael Schratter
March 1, 2010

Russian Olympic clothing sponsor Bosco transformed Joey Burrard into a Ruskie mecca during the last week of the Games. Hockey legend and former Vancouver Canuck Igor Larinov was among those attending with his son, Igor Jr.

Russian cross-country sprint gold medallist Nikita Kriukov (in blue) parties with his teammates, bronze medallists skier Alexey Petukhov, Nikolay Morilov and cross-country sprint silver medallist Alexander Panzhinskiy on Thursday.

The Big Olympic Goodbye

2010-03-01T15:15:00.000-08:00

Our Living Statues and fabulous face painter, Fanny Starchild, and put smiles on departing passengers' faces at YVR this week.

Grange blog: What's the Russian word for crickets?

2010-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

By Michael Grange, The Globe and Mail

Posted Thursday, February 25, 2010 12:02 AM ET

Does anyone know what the Russian word for crickets is?

I know what it sounds like. It sounds like the crowd of Russians gathered in so-called ‘Bosco Bar' in downtown Vancouver for another chapter in the Canada-Russia hockey series.

We know how it ended: Canada came out and treated one of the most talented teams anyone can remember like they were Germany or something.

And so the crowd at Bosco Bar - actually Joey Burrard, an upscale resto-lounge in downtown Vancouver bought out by Bosco Sport (the Russian Nike, and the official supplier to the Russian Olympic team here) for 10 days - quickly shifted from positive, brash even, to something else.

Quatchi & Miga visit YVR

2010-02-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

Elettra Event Coordinator, Desiree Mamisao, hangs out with Quatchi and Miga at YVR.

YVR Arrivals

2010-02-04T17:42:00.000-08:00

Elettra's Kelly Aldinger and Kelly Farrell work with Canadian media hoping to get shots of Canada's Luge Team.

YVR Gets Its Game Face On

2010-01-29T08:49:00.000-08:00

Elettra's in-terminal entertainment program gets a shout-out in this MSNBC roundup of how YVR is getting ready to welcome the world to Vancouver.

Sandhill's Howard Soon in Vancouver

2010-01-25T17:53:00.000-08:00

Sandhill's Master Winemaker, Howard Soon, was in Vancouver to celebrate being selected as Winery of the Year in Wine Access magazine's Canadian Wine Awards.

Sandhill is the first winery to win Best White, Best Red, and Winery of the Year in the same year.

Howard visited Lynn and Steve at Global Morning News to talk about the awards.

Then he stopped by Urban Rush to tell Mike and Fiona about what you can tell about wine from the soil it's grown in.

Then, the day was capped off with a celebration of Sandhill & Howard at the Vancouver Aquarium.

Local Love

2010-01-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

LOCAL Public Eatery was featured in today's Sweetspot:

Jan.05.10

Kits is one of our summer go-to spots (if only for the people-watching).

And now with Local Public Eatery opening in the old Malone’s space, it’s finally a winter hangout as well.

The new, much-anticipated gastro pub is big on comfort food—plus the unpretentious menu has cocktails like the Ell Caesar ($8), served in a boot. One can never go wrong with a classic burger ($12), and the West Coast chopped salad ($16) is a good way to veg out. And as for placating any sweet tooth, we stand by the perfectly-sticky caramel toffee cake ($6).

So when local patrons – pun slightly intended – start coming out in droves, our eyes will be just as entertained as our taste buds already are.

Local Public Eatery
www.localpubliceatery.com
2210 Cornwall Ave.
604-734-3589

Get the party started

2009-12-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

Joey Restaurant Group's Diamonds Are Forever New Year's Party was featured on the cover of today's 24hrs.

Here's the scoop:

Prepare to be shaken and stirred at this James Bond-inspired soiree. Dress to impress and enjoy champagne, drink specials, appetizers and live music. After all, you only live twice.

Tickets are $35 and available for purchase at Joey Broadway.
December 31, 9pm - 2 am

If you're in the mood for more of a culinary evening, Joey Burrard (@Robson) is hosting Dine With Us New Year's Eve, an evening of three-course menus, champagne and drink specials.

Reservations: 604.683.5639 or tblack@joeyrestaurants.com

Happy New Year!

VISIT Milwaukee Selects Meetingmax

2009-12-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

Online housing reservation system to welcome visitors to the jewel of the Great Lakes

Vancouver, BC; December 15, 2009 – Meetingmax, provider of the travel industry’s most flexible online housing reservation system, today announced the signing of an agreement with VISIT Milwaukee. Through the agreement, the Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau will use Meetingmax’s system to manage convention housing bookings for its more than 60 member hotels.

As part of its selection process, VISIT Milwaukee looked at several other housing systems. The organization primarily selected Meetingmax based on its user-friendly software interface.

“A big part of our mandate is to ensure that guests are warmly welcomed to Milwaukee, and that begins the moment they book their hotel room,” says Dave Larson, Director of Convention Services, VISIT Milwaukee. “Meetingmax’s system makes it easy for conference delegates to quickly search for a participating hotel, explore its features and book a room.”

Milwaukee is a premiere Midwestern meeting destination. In addition to its dynamic downtown and state-of-the-art convention facilities, Milwaukee differentiates itself through its warm hospitality and affordable prices. In 2008, tourism generated $2.7 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee and supported approximately 66,000 local jobs.

News of the VISIT Milwaukee agreement follows the signing of agreements with Atlanta’s Cobb County and Hamilton County, Indiana. Meeetingmax’s system will be used to manage convention housing bookings at CVB member hotels in both counties.

“Right now we are seeing considerable interest in our system. Given current market conditions, CVBs are looking for ways to make it as easy as possible to manage events in their cities,” says Jeff Duncan, COO, Meetingmax Systems. “Our system offers hotels, planners and CVBs powerful, customizable tools that allow them to efficiently manage their inventory.”

Jam the Van Calgary

2009-12-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

Calgarian Tim Tam lovers we need your help!

Tomorrow the CBC in Calgary is jamming a Purolator van full of donations for The Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. The CBC's Tim Tamashiro (great name) will be handing out Tim Tam biscuits to donors and demonstrating the famous Tim Tam Slam.

Look for the Purolator van parked outside CBC Calgary. You can't miss it because it will be decorated with Christmas lights and Tim Tamashiro will be sitting on top of it. And he won't get off until it's filled with food.

Click here for more details.

Inside Local Public Eatery

2009-11-26T15:11:00.000-08:00

Executive chef Chris Mills takes Vancouver magazine on a tour of the newly opened Local Public Eatery on Kits beach and demos a signature recipe.

Tim Tam does a Tim Tam Slam

2009-11-26T11:51:00.001-08:00

Tim Tamashiro, host of Tonic on CBC Radio 2, demonstrates the Tim Tam slam. That's passion for your biscuits.

2010 Hour Olympic Countdown

2009-11-23T14:23:00.001-08:00

Elettra's Stephanie Miles (far right) & Kelly Aldinger (second from left) celebrate the 2010 Hour Olympic Countdown at YVR with Trevor Linden and the YVR Communications team.

Kitsilano Blog: Local Public Eatery opens today

2009-11-20T21:00:00.000-08:00

Posted by Frances on November 20th, 2009

When Malone’s closed down last year, much speculation was made over who would take over the popular beachfront spot at the intersection of Cornwall and Yew. The rather unassuming name of Local Public Eatery popped up, and we have eagerly waited for interior pictures and outdoor signs and finally– opening day this Friday!

For a gastro pub with franchise origins, Local Public Eatery surprisingly lives up to its “local” label. While Local is a part of the Joey’s restaurant group, it manages to leave out the formulaic feel of chain restaurants. Instead, great consideration has gone into making sure that Local reflects some aspects of the neighbourhood– and no, I don’t mean the many flat screens showing the latest Canucks game (though there’s that too).

Right at the entrance it’s obvious that Local Public Eatery considers the importance of its location: an entire wall is decorated with a blown-up map of the city. And then there’s tiny charming touches, such as their personal take on Kits landmarks printed on the backs of menus. So, just in case you’ve forgotten that Vanier Park makes a good makeout spot, the cheeky menu will be happy to remind you.

Local’s menu is more reasonably priced compared to most chain restaurants, and the drink selection is as wide as it is affordable with nightly drink specials ranging from $5-6. As for appetizers, their Duo of Dips ($11) features a platter of oven-warm crisp tortillas served along with guacamole and cheese. While this sounds like another ordinary sports game snack, Local quite exceeds those expectations. The guac is guaranteed fresh as the server actually mashes those avocados right in front of you, mixing along jalapenos and aromatic cilantro with a dash of lime and a special salt (imported from France, the server confides).

Another seemingly humble side dish that wowed me was the bucket of Yam Fries ($7 a a starter, but free with the burgers). What sets Local’s yam fries above the rest are the evenly crisp fries and the corresponding creamy tangy dip (three words: truffle lemon mayo).

The main course revolves around their burgers, and I was actually intimidated at the size and the construction of my towering Kits Beach Burger ($14) when it arrived. I briefly considered the logistics of fitting half a pound of ground chuck patty inside my stomach. Thankfully, this was an amazing burger. Note that the patty was made of ground chuck as opposed to the usual ground beef, which meant that the patty was much jucier and flavourful than the common burger. The golden brioche buns, with the flaky and buttery crumb, also contributed to the overall richness of the burger.

The menu states that my Kits Beach burger is also known as a “gritty Greer burger.” Apparently, Kits beach used to be known as Greer beach, after Sam Greer the pioneer who battled CPR for the rights to build a homestead on the beach. A quick Google research proves this true. Incorporating a piece of obscure Kits history wins Local some brownie points!

Speaking of brownies, the Caramel Toffee Cake ($6) comes highly suggested by the waitstaff. However, the Gooey Chocolate Brownie ($6) arrives instead, perhaps just so I can make a “brownie points” pun. This dessert is presented warm with a huge cold scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. I don’t know how I managed to eat even more after eating the burger, but I knew I could not miss this one. Drizzled caramel sauce and crushed pecans made the dessert even more decadent. I would definitely come back just to try out the caramel toffee cake, however.

Since Local Public Eatery is still in its earliest days, it would be interesting to see how it will continue to shift to better fit the neighbourhood dynamics. I hear they’re playing the Canucks game tonight. The gorgeous wooden patio will be opening up in the summer, and I hear there’s a takeout shack in the works when beach season comes. Well, when Kits beach is your front yard, you can’t go wrong.

Local Public Eatery opens in Kits

2009-11-20T16:16:00.001-08:00

Yay! It's open!

http://www.localpubliceatery.com

Airport plans - CBC

2009-11-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

Kirk Williams reports on Vancouver International Airport's plans for the Olympics.

Atlanta’s Cobb County CVB Selects Meetingmax

2009-11-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

Online housing reservation system to help deliver southern hospitality

Vancouver, BC; November 10, 2009 – Meetingmax, provider of the travel industry’s most flexible and cost-effective online housing reservation system, today announced the signing of an agreement with Cobb County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Through the agreement, Cobb County will use Meetingmax’s system to manage convention housing bookings for more than 13,500 rooms in 120 hotels.

“In today's market, meeting planners need reliable housing management and accurate pick-up reports for their events,” says Abbey Harwell, Communications & Marketing Technology Manager, Cobb County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We were impressed by Meetingmax’s secure, 24/7 access to online inventory, room block management tools, and useful reports.”

Located just 10 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, Cobb County is a destination for conventions and trade shows. With 80% of the U.S. population within a two-hour flight, Atlanta is accessible via direct service from most destinations.

As part of its selection process, Cobb County CVB looked at several other housing systems. The organization primarily selected Meetingmax based on its user-friendly software interface.

“Meetingmax’s software simplifies the reservation process for attendees and decreases reporting time for planners,” continues Harwell. “Users get an instant confirmation when making, changing or canceling their reservations. This will add up to better hotel bookings and happier attendees.”

“One of Cobb County’s differentiators is its southern hospitality,” says Jeff Duncan, COO, Meetingmax Systems. “We are proud that our system has been selected to play a key role in facilitating first impressions with their guests.”

Using Meetingmax’s system, delegates can quickly search for a participating hotel, explore its features and book a room. Hotels can efficiently search, process, summarize, and report on all rooms and reservations for each delegate group. CVBs use the Master Control Panel to easily create an event, assign hotels, set rates and manage inventory.

Condo marketer promises Escape from Boringville

2009-11-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

By Eve Lazarus

http://www.marketingmag.ca/english/news/marketer/article.jsp?

content=20091106_143338_7112

West Vancouver based Larco Investments has kicked off an unusual print and outdoor campaign to flog condos in their latest development, Morgan Crossing.

Called “Escape from Boringville,” Fingerprint Strategies, a real estate marketing firm, and Spring Advertising have created a billboard art installation, online banner ads as well as print and classified ads meant to make new home buyers think twice before buying a generic condo.

To launch the billboard execution, Spring bought a 1992 Plymouth Voyager and five mannequins and had everything spray painted beige. The mannequins have left the car and are positioned scrambling up the billboard desperate to get a glimpse at life in Morgan Crossing, said Rob Schelycher, creative director at Spring.

A print ad running in local papers shows two beige people outside a row of beige houses and the caption “There’s a ton of stuff to do, if you have a full tank of gas.”

Larco figures that house buyers are looking for more than just a front door, garage and mini van that they have to drive to the corner store.

“It’s a very European style in that it’s a walkable community where everything you want to do is right outside your door,” said Schelycher. “We are taking the people who would ordinarily buy a very generic condo in a generic community and showing them that it’s not a very exciting way to live. We’re giving them Morgan Crossing as an alternative where they can have a life and have fun in their neighbourhood.”

Schelycher said the campaign targets first time home-buyers, people downsizing and those moving from smaller condos in the suburbs.

“So much real estate advertising tends to assume that people are interested in the message. This work is meant to get people interested and paying attention to an alternative real estate message which is not to buy a regular condo but to live in a community,” said Schelycher.

Morgan Crossing offers buyers an escape from Boringville

2009-11-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

http://www.mediaincanada.com/articles/mic/20091106/morgancross.html

By Erin Richards

Real estate developer Morgan Crossing wants home buyers to consider a life outside the suburbs with its attention-grabbing new campaign, "Escape Boringville."

Seeking to grab the attention of suburban home buyers who might not have considered a more urban lifestyle, Morgan Crossing has launched a new media campaign featuring an almost post-modern installation-style OOH exhibit located near the up-and-coming development in South Surrey, BC, Spring Advertising account manager Kevin Cornista told MiC.

The installation portrays a beige minivan releasing a group of frantic-looking beige mannequins, seemingly anxious to scramble up a billboard in order to look enviously at the community depicted within. The idea was a collaboration between Vancouver-based Spring, Barlow Media and Fingerprint Strategies.

The goal was to promote the idea of an alternative lifestyle through the medium itself, says Cornista. The display went live on Nov. 2, 2009, and will stay active until Nov. 23. The campaign also includes a website and a whimsical classified advertising buy in Vancouver's Metro, 24 Hours, Black Press community papers and the Home Buyers Guide. The ads appear to be selling the now-unnecessary goods, such as the minivan, that are supposedly leftover from people's former dreary suburban lives.

"Real estate advertising has a habit of sameness which we wanted to move away from," Rob Schleycher, Spring Advertising CD, told MiC of the creative strategy."The creative dictated the use of alternative media because we were making a statement that this is an alternative to the typical suburban lifestyle."

Mannequins, Humans Make the Escape from Boringville

2009-11-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

Vancouver, BC; November 3, 2009 – Recently, drivers in a Lower Mainland, BC community were witness to a strange sight: a dull, beige minivan with a group of mannequins pouring out of it and scrambling up a billboard. The mannequins- tired of the dull, beige confines of life in Boringville- were desperate to get a glimpse at a life worth living.

The installation is part the Escape from Boringville campaign for Morgan Crossing, a residential and retail village development in South Surrey, BC. Vancouver advertising and design firm, Spring, developed the campaign in partnership with Fingerprint Strategies, Morgan Crossing’s sales and marketing firm.

“Morgan Crossing appeals to people who are looking for an antidote to a boring, suburban life. The village concept captures their imagination,” says Bryan Woolley, President, Fingerprint Strategies. “We needed an approach beyond the traditional condo marketing of print ads and direct mail, something that would tell potential buyers- as they are driving by in their cars- that a life without total dependency on their vehicle is possible.”

Morgan Crossing is inspired by European villages and traditional Main Streets, places where amenities are a walkable distance from home, and was designed so that living, shopping, exercising, hanging out can all happen in the same place.

“With the Escape from Boringville campaign, we wanted to demonstrate that buying a home is not just a choice about where to live, but also how to live,” says Rob Schelycher, Creative Director, Spring. “The mannequins are simply a metaphor for the desire to escape suburban sameness and find something better.”

A video and photos of the making of the Escape from Boringville mannequin installation can be viewed on the Morgan Crossing website: http://www.morgancrossing.ca/gallery/art_installation/

Media strategy and buying for the campaign is handled by Barlow Media, and PR is handled by Elettra Communications.

The Arts Club Honours

2009-10-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a reason to get all dolled up in November, then look no further than the Art Club Honours.

This swanky bash (on November 30th) will honour three of the Arts Club Theatre's longtime stars, while also raising funds to help support the Arts Club's youth education programs. The evening will include a red carpet reception, followed by dinner, awards show, and after party. It will be a night to remember for theatre lovers.

Hope to see you there!

http://www.artsclub.com/events/gala/index.htm

Wanted: One Very Clever Intern

2009-10-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

Elettra Communications is hiring an Events & PR Intern. The chosen candidate will primarily assist with planning and executing an Olympic-time event for one of our clients. The candidate will also assist on a variety of other projects, and will provide some administrative support in our office. This is position is suitable for anyone interested in pursuing a career in public relations.

Responsibilities:

Event coordination:

Coordinate event suppliers - provide direction, respond to their inquiries, process invoices
Draft briefing documents
Maintain an event schedule
Be on site to coordinate events
Prepare regular reports and a project wrap reports

Assist with a variety of client projects:

Draft media releases and other materials
Create media lists
Conduct research
Administrative tasks as required

Requirements:

Enrollment in a degree or diploma program in Communications, Business, Public Relations, or Arts
High level of interest in public relations
Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
Accountability, professionalism, and a high level of attention to detail
Ability to work independently or in teams
Able to be flexible with work hours

Details:

Full time
Three months - January 4, 2010 – April 2, 2010
Compensation: Monthly honorarium

Send resume & cover letter to simone@elettra.ca by October 26^th.

Elettra is hiring an Administrative & Communications Assistant

2009-10-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

Elettra has an immediate opening for an Administrative & Communications Assistant. The position is temporary (6 months) and full-time. The position is ideal for an individual who has recently graduated from a public relations or communications program.

Responsibilities:

Provide administrative support to team members, including:

Schedule and organize meetings
Maintain filing systems
Maintain budget files and information
Maintain mailing lists and organize mail-outs
Prepare correspondence, PowerPoint presentations, and spreadsheets

Provide communication support to team members, including:

Manage contact database
Handle incoming requests for photographs, publications and speakers
Respond to general inquiries
Help coordinate events
Assemble media kits

Requirements:

Post secondary degree or diploma in Business, Marketing, Administration, Public Relations, or Arts
High level of interest in Communications and Public Relations
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
Computer proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access
Ability to handle deadlines, as well as confidential and sensitive matters
Team player and self-starter with good judgment, diplomacy, professionalism and sense of humour
Previous experience working in an office environment is an asset

Applicants are asked to send their cover letter and resume to info@elettra.ca.

Elettra is hiring a Media Relations Consultant

2009-07-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

Elettra Communications has an immediate opening for a Media Relations Consultant with extensive experience in issues management and crisis communication. The chosen candidate will provide proactive and reactive media relations support to a client in the aviation industry. The position is part time (32 hours per week) and has a one-year term.

Responsibilities

Act as day-to-day client contact on key projects
Quickly build thorough knowledge of our client’s business and industry
Handle incoming media inquiries
Develop issues management strategies and key messages
Provide guidance and coaching to spokespeople
Plan and implement proactive media relations strategies
Pitch stories to local media
Monitor coverage in traditional and social media
Develop written materials including news releases, fact sheets, media statements, articles, web copy, speeches, client correspondence
Manage relationships with third party contractors and suppliers of communications services

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, Public Relations, or English
Minimum four years experience handling issues management in a communications environment
Direct experience managing communications in crisis situations
Experience providing media training and coaching to executive-level company spokespeople
Exceptional writing abilities
Experience using and monitoring social media including blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, etc.
Comfort working in a challenging and fast-paced environment
Flexible with hours and able to respond to media inquiries outside the 9-5, Monday-Friday workweek.

Other:

Preference will be given to candidates with aviation industry experience.
International media relations experience is an asset.
Previous experience in a PR agency setting and/or doing contract work will also be considered an asset.

Applicants are asked to send their cover letter and resume to info@elettra.ca

CTV launches desktop widget

2009-07-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

by Gariné Tcholakian

Noise Digital is bringing the after-show water cooler session to the desktop. CTV show fans who want to rave and rant about last night's eps now have a social community online in which to do it, through the new CTV Primetime Widget.

The desktop app, created by Vancouver-based Noise Digital (the first it's developed for any Canadian broadcaster), is integrated with Facebook extensions and delivers CTV-branded content with customizable features, like format choice for content delivery - text-only, text and image, video, flash or animation - and a dynamic skin that can be changed according to show preference. Once viewers identify their picks, the widget filters content so they only receive relevant info, like new ep reminders, links to previews or full online eps on CTV.ca. To help keep them engaged, show trivia, games, contests and special interviews are also part of the CTV-branded menu. Viewers can also track upcoming eps through the widget's program sched and sign up for reminders or promo and contest news updates.

Through the Facebook app, viewers can connect with friends around CTV content, create fan pages for their favourite shows or participate in quizzes and polls. (And in true Facebook style, they'll also receive updates on their friends' quiz scores and can find out which shows friends are watching.)

"By creating a widget and integrating it into Facebook, we created a platform that pushes real-time information to people where they spend a lot of their time," Noise Digital president and CEO Trevor Carr tells MiC. "The widget creates a richer TV-viewing experience because it bridges the gap between the broadcast and online experience," he adds.

Noise Digital Creates Desktop Experience for CTV Viewers

2009-07-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Digital ad agency creates CTV widget and Facebook application

Vancouver, BC; July 15, 2009 – Noise Digital has officially unveiled their latest digital initiative, the CTV Primetime widget: a desktop application with integrated Facebook extensions. The application will push CTV-branded content onto users’ desktops allowing them to stay connected to their favourite CTV shows and characters.

“These digital applications create a much richer TV-viewing experience for fans,” said Trevor Carr, President & CEO, Noise Digital. “Users can access content that is relevant to them and connect with their friends around their favourite shows. This initiative creates the forum for ‘water cooler talk’ for the next generation of TV viewers.”

Noise has designed the desktop widget with a dynamic skin that can be changed based on the show users’ identify, providing access to special interviews, show previews, games, and access to catch-up episodes viewable online at ctv.ca.

The widget can deliver content in various forms including text, text and image, video, flash and animation. To help viewers track their favourite shows, the application offers program schedules for upcoming episodes. There is also a feature that permits users to sign up for reminders and receive news about special promotions or contests. The widget is available online at www.ctv.ca/primetimewidget.

The Facebook application provides users with the ability to connect with their friends around CTV’s content. Users are given the opportunity to create fan pages for their favourite shows and participate in quizzes and polls. It also allows users to receive updates on their friends’ quiz scores and view which shows their friends are watching.

“The CTV Primetime Widget demonstrates CTV’s steadfast commitment to reaching our audience on their terms,” said Stephan Argent, CTV’s Vice-President, Digital Media. “As an industry leader, we recognize the importance of using evolving technologies to engage with consumers in new and innovative ways.”

About Noise Digital:
Noise is a digital advertising agency providing online marketing solutions for leading national and global brands. The company’s success stems from its belief in truly integrated marketing strategy, cutting edge technology and breakthrough creative design. Noise was founded in 1998 and has offices in Vancouver and Toronto. Its clients include: Nokia, adidas, Sony PlayStation, Johnson & Johnson, Ferrero Brands, Canadian Direct Insurance, Maple Pictures and CTV. www.noisedigital.com

simpleview Teams Up With Meetingmax

2009-07-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Duo to Provide Online Group Reservation Technology to Destination Marketing Organizations

Tucson, AZ and Vancouver, BC; July 14, 2009– simpleview, North America’s fast-growing provider of technology solutions to the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) industry, announced today a partnership with Meetingmax Systems. Through the relationship, simpleview will market Meetingmax’s flexible and cost-effective online housing reservation system to its roster of DMO clients in North America.

“This new relationship presents great opportunities for our clients as well as for both companies,” says Ryan M. George, CEO, simpleview. “Meetingmax’s comprehensive online housing system rounds out our product offering and will provide our clients with new abilities to win group business.”

As part of the agreement, the two companies will begin integrating simpleview’s content and customer relationship management software with Meetingmax’s online housing system. This will help clients avoid the cost and hassle of working with independent systems and create a seamless experience for the user.

“This relationship makes sense on every level,” says Jeff Duncan, COO, Meetingmax Systems. “simpleview has established relationships with an extensive list of DMOs, but housing system technology hasn’t been their focus. With our background in meeting and event planning, we have been able to build a system that meets the needs of DMOs, event planners, and hotels.”

While the companies will initially focus their marketing efforts on the U.S., the organizations are also jointly pursuing growth opportunities in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

About Meetingmax:
Meetingmax Systems provides the travel industry with the most flexible and cost-effective online housing reservation system. Initially developed to meet the needs of Meetingmax’s meeting and event planning arm, the system provides convention and visitors bureaus, event planners and organizations with a simple yet powerful means to manage conference and event room bookings. The system boasts real time processing for hotels, a dynamic pricing model based on the length of the booking, and customizable features to meet each client’s needs. Meetingmax is based in Vancouver, BC and can be found online at www.meetingmaxsystems.com.

About simpleview:
Inc. magazine ranks simpleview #2 among the fastest-growing, privately held U.S. companies in the travel and tourism sector. Since 1991, the company has maintained a 99% client retention rate while capturing the largest market share in its field, helping 125+ destination marketing organizations (DMOs) get the most out of technology, the web and interactive marketing. At the highest level, simpleview develops big-picture strategies for DMO sales, marketing and operations. On a tactical level, they offer integrated products and services tailored to destination marketing: dynamic websites and content management, search engine optimization, interactive marketing services, social media management, design, content and multimedia production. To date, the company’s Web-based destination management system has driven $6.8 billion in economic impact for its customers, which includes destinations ranging from New York City to Portland, Oregon, Boston to Jacksonville, Toronto to the Bahamas. simpleview employs 60+ people in Tucson, Arizona and San Diego, California.

New Noise appointment echoes growing digital convergence

2009-06-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

People Moves

by Gariné Tcholakian
Media in Canada

Noise Digital has just appointed Michael Milardo as its co-creative director. The move, which follows the opening of Noise's Toronto office earlier this year, is part of the agency's efforts to strengthen its resources to address the needs of an ad client base that is seeing increasing convergence between traditional and digital.

The award-winning copywriter's first project with the agency, "Zombie Singles", won the Bronze Cyber Lion at Cannes last week. (Milardo, who worked on the campaign on a contract basis at the time, helped set the tone and a unique sense of humour to the zombie dating profiles which contributed to the user experience.)

The newly created role is being shared with Noise's current CD, Brock Ellis, with whom Milardo will be working to develop campaigns for clients including Nokia, Sony PlayStation, Ferrero, Tic Tac and Johnson & Johnson.

"We believe that ideas dictate the media," Mark Nishiguchi, managing partner at Noise Digital tells MiC."Media and creative are becoming one strategic and planning entity, and technology is the reason why these lines are blurring. It reflects the fact that digital is not a singular communication channel: it's the thread that links all media channels together, so Michael's knowledge and expertise in traditional channels is critical to our strategic positioning as a full-service digital partner."

"It's pretty clear where the industry is headed, and I wanted to be a part of that," said Milardo, in a release. "A great idea can live in any form; moving online with Noise just made sense. They work with global brands, and there's a ton of opportunity online."

Formerly of Rethink and TBWA, Milardo's past experience also includes working for BBDO Berlin and Ogilvy Copenhagen, and with clients like Bell Mobility, Vancity, BC Lotteries, HSBC, Volkswagen, Sobeys Foods and McDonald's. He's won over 30 awards, including Communication Arts, One Show Interactive, the Clio Awards and London International.

"Digital agencies are no longer just adapting existing creative for the web," said Nishiguchi in a recent release. "We now have a lead role in overall campaign development. Michael's expertise strengthens our ability to deliver breakthrough creative, strategic insight and technical ability."

Expanding further on the statement, Nishiguchi later tells MiC: "In order for truly integrated executions to be successful, media needs to be at the centre of planning and strategy. In a more fractured media landscape it is becoming more important to acknowledge that earned media vs. paid media is becoming the norm vs. the exception. Truly successful agencies will create time, not buy it."

Single, male, undead

2009-06-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Susan Krashinsky

Globe and Mail, Thursday, Jun. 25, 2009 05:56PM EDT

"That’s one thing about zombie fans: they take it really seriously. So it had to look really good. We couldn’t just take a picture and put a hole in somebody’s head." - Mark Nishiguchi, managing partner at Vancouver-based firm Noise Digital

There are some markets Lavalife and eHarmony just don’t serve. Zombies, for example. The undead need love too. Luckily, Zombie Singles fills that void. The site includes listings from Gorey Gretta, “a female zombie seeking a male for casual feeding.” and Guhhhhhh, who likes “blocked exits” and “people buffet,” and dislikes “the hunger.” In truth, Zombie Singles is the award-winning brainchild of Noise Digital, which created the faux dating site last year to advertise zombie-themed mobile phone-based video game Resident Evil Degeneration. The campaign won bronze in the cyber competition at the International Advertising Festival in Cannes this week. A particularly attractive candidate is Kiki from Indonesia, whose “fiends” list is positively gutted – er, glutted. We hope he finds love. The bar scene can be such a meat market.

Noise Appoints Michael Milardo as Creative Director

2009-06-24T12:43:00.001-07:00

Vancouver, BC; June 24, 2009 – Following its Bronze Cyber Lion win this morning, Noise Digital has announced the appointment of Michael Milardo as Creative Director. The award-winning copywriter will join Noise’s current Creative Director Brock Ellis in this newly created role. The pair will act much like creative teams at traditional advertising agencies, developing campaigns for clients including Nokia, Sony PlayStation, tic tac, and Johnson & Johnson.

Milardo’s expertise, gained from years at tier one advertising agencies such as Rethink, TBWA, BBDO Berlin, and Ogilvy Copenhagen, will add significant weight to the creative resources available to Noise clients.

“We created this new position to further address the convergence of traditional and digital advertising,” said Mark Nishiguchi, Managing Partner at Noise Digital. “Digital agencies are no longer just adapting existing creative for the web - we now have a lead role in overall campaign development. Michael’s expertise strengthens our ability to deliver breakthrough creative, strategic insight and technical ability.”

Milardo has won more than 30 awards during his career – including Communication Arts, One Show Interactive, the Clio Awards, and London International. Milardo has worked with numerous clients including Bell Mobility, Vancity, BC Lotteries, HSBC, Volkswagen, Sobeys Foods, and McDonalds.

In recent months, Noise has invested significant resources in adding to its capacity. In February it opened an office in Toronto to meet the growing demand for digital advertising services across Canada.

“A great idea can live in any form; moving online with Noise just made sense,” said Milardo. “They work with global brands, and there’s a ton of opportunity online. It’s pretty clear where the industry is headed, and I wanted to be a part of that.”

About Noise Digital:
Noise is a digital advertising agency providing online marketing solutions for leading national and global brands. The company’s success stems from its belief in truly integrated marketing strategy, cutting edge technology and breakthrough creative design. Noise was founded in 1998 and has offices in Vancouver and Toronto. Its clients include: Nokia, adidas, Sony PlayStation, Johnson & Johnson, Ferrero Brands, Canadian Direct Insurance, Maple Pictures and CTV. www.noisedigital.com

FLASHCannes hands Canada four more Lions

2009-06-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

by Carey Toane and Mary Maddever
Media In Canada

If zombies make your heart pound in a good way, then the news of Canada's only Cyber Lion will set you a-flutter. Vancouver-based Noise Digital won Canada's only Bronze Lion for "Zombie Singles," an undead dating site to build buzz for Resident Evil: Degeneration on the Nokia N-Gage platform.

Dubbed the "official dating site of the walking dead," ZombieSingles.com invites lonely brain-cravers to upload photos to be "zombified," browse and rate other gruesome profiles or let the matchmaker take a crack at finding love for them.

"It was a big hit," says Canadian jury member Stephane Charier, ECD at Taxi Montreal. "We laughed, had so much fun. Juries are human - just because of that I think it inspired a lot of love."

"Zombie Singles" was the only win out of the eight entries shortlisted yesterday, and Charier notes that the Canadian work submitted "was very good, but Cannes is like the Olympics...We're still doing safe work, still doing microsites, not involving the consumer enough."

The jury awarded three Grand Prix, the only category required to do so, for the top Website and Interactive Campaigns, Online Advertising and Other Interactive Digital Media, and Viral Advertising. Entries dropped more than 500 from last year, with a total of 2,205 entries this year. Out of the 208 shortlisted, 80 went home with a medal.

All three Grand Prix went beyond the limits of the typical microsite, involving consumers in real-world conversations and collaborating with other kinds of marketing and media says Cyber jury president Lars Bastholm, chief digital creative officer of Ogilvy, North America. "Digital no longer lives in a vacuum, it's part of larger campaigns."

SPARC BC and Tourism Industry to Bust Myths

2009-05-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

On June 4, 2009, the Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC) will mark Access Awareness Day with Conversation is the Key, a round table discussion focused on dispelling myths about employing people with disabilities. The event will bring together voices from the tourism sector and is part of a campaign to increase the number of people with disabilities working in tourism.

During the event, SPARC BC will welcome representatives from organizations including Flight Centre, Delta Burnaby Hotel, TransLink, and Tourism Vancouver, as well as individuals with disabilities and employment agencies specializing in placing people with disabilities. Together, they will uncover and address the discouraging myths that can prevent an employer from hiring someone with a disability, or prevent an individual with a disability from applying for a job in tourism.

“The best way to tackle these myths is to talk about them,” says Emese Szücs, Manager of Accessibility Programs at SPARC BC. “We recognize that it’s not always an easy issue to discuss, so we’re so pleased to see that so many businesses and individuals have the courage to talk about the myths and find creative solutions.”

Research gathered by SPARC BC shows that, despite a myriad of resources that exist to help employers hire people with disabilities, and despite evidence of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, the employment rate for people with disabilities is still significantly lower than for those without a disability.

A January 2009 report from BC Stats shows that in 2006, the employment rate for people with a disability was significantly lower than the rate for those without a disability (59.1 per cent vs. 74.3 per cent, respectively). The same report also states that 12.8 per cent of British Columbians of working age have a disability.

According to go2, BC’s tourism industry human resources association, the tourism industry is projected to face a labour supply shortage that could become acute. People with disabilities represent a talent pool that can help fill these jobs.

“We have chosen to focus our campaign on the tourism sector because it has the potential to demonstrate to the world that British Columbia is an inclusive and accessible society,” continues Szücs. “But there is also a solid business argument for it. People with a disability can play an important role in easing the anticipated labour shortage in the tourism industry. And businesses that offer an accessible workplace to employees are also accessible to travellers and residents, which is simply good for business.”

Meetingmax inks deals with four more tourism bureaus

2009-05-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Vancouver company’s online platform now used by 12 convention and visitors bureaus in the United States

Curt Cherewayko

A Vancouver-based company’s online hotel booking system for large-scale event planners is continuing its U.S. expansion, signing deals with four convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) in Tempe, Arizona; Bakersfield, California; and Tri-Cities and Yakima, Washington.

That brings Meetingmax Planning Inc.’s client roster of U.S.-based CVBs, which market their respective cities as destinations for conventions and other large-scale events, to 12.

CVBs such as the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau (SRCVB) use Meetingmax’s booking platform to assign hotels, set room rates and manage room inventory.

Ann Gillespie, a convention sales assistant with the SRCVB, said that the bureau has used Meetingmax’s platform to organize room bookings for up to 25 hotels during a single event. She added that the average convention or conference in Spokane typically requires co-ordination between four or five hotels.

Meetingmax’s platform is essentially another marketing tool to attract event tourism to Spokane, said Gillespie.

“Basically it’s a service for our customers – both the meeting’s planner and the delegates that are attending,” she said.

CVBs, hotels and meeting planners can all use Meetingmax’s system simultaneously to manage and update the planning of an event.

Meetingmax started as the event planning and managing arm of Uniglobe Network Travel. When it began experiencing solid growth, it was spun out as its own entity.

The seven-year-old company initially developed its online platform as a tool to use internally but, after CVBs began inquiring about licensing the technology, Meetingmax developed it into a robust, sellable offering.

“When we needed an online housing solution we went and shopped the open market and looked at all the various solutions before they were our competitors,” said Jeff Duncan, Meetingmax’s COO.

“None of them really addressed 100% of what we needed them to do. So we built one on our own.”

The company generated roughly $1.8 million in revenue last year, between its event planning business and its online system. And while it still does event planning, Duncan believes the company’s future growth will stem largely from its online offering.

In 2008, the platform processed $3.15 million worth of hotel bookings, versus $1.17 million in 2007.

Duncan projected that the system will book more than $6.5 million worth of hotel-room nights in 2009.

The company generates revenue from annual licence fees and commissions from each room night that is booked through the system.

Adoption of the platform has been largely through word of mouth. For example, the CVB in Spokane helped sign the CVB in Madison, Wisconsin, onto the system. The CVB in Tempe was introduced to Meetingmax by organizers of the Ironman competitions in Madison.

Duncan said that what differentiates Meetingmax’s platform from other online hotel-booking systems is that it was built by event planners, not software developers.

“We’re not a software company jumping in the business of online housing solutions,” he said. •

cgc@biv.com

Poll Finds British Columbians Willing to Exchange Flexibility for Lower Mortgage Rates

2009-05-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

Prospera Credit Union today announced the findings of a survey gauging British Columbians’ attitudes towards mortgages in today’s economic climate. The poll was conducted on Prospera’s behalf by Ipsos Reid.

Reflecting concern about the current economy, the survey found that 75 per cent of British Columbians are paying closer attention to their household budget than ever before. This focus on household budgeting extends to mortgages, especially among younger British Columbians. The survey found that 60 per cent of younger British Columbians (under 45 years) with a mortgage or in the market for a mortgage were interested in giving up some mortgage payment flexibility in exchange for a lower interest rate.

According to the poll, 59 per cent of all British Columbians were not aware that mortgage holders pay a higher interest rate for the ability to make lump sum payments against their mortgage.

“Canadians across all age and income levels are looking at how they live and how they spend,” says Sundeep Sandhu, Prospera’s VP of Marketing. “While rate, flexibility of payment schedules and the credibility of a lender are still important factors when deciding on a mortgage, the poll demonstrates that the ability to make lump sum payments is much less critical to the consumer – especially in today’s economy.”

Traditional long-term cost-saving measures include increasing mortgage payment amounts and decreasing the loan amortization. However, given today’s economy many homeowners indicated that they would prefer to see the immediate savings obtained from a lower mortgage rate. With mortgage payments comprising 25 per cent of the average Canadian family’s expenses, the savings can be significant.

“The findings of the poll show that there is a need for a mortgage product that allows homeowners to trade flexibility for a lower rate, and that’s why Prospera has introduced the myStyle mortgage,” continues Sandhu. “Why pay for mortgage options that will never be used?"

The myStyle mortgage rewards consumers with a low interest rate on a five-year fixed mortgage. It was designed for people who know they will not take advantage of pre-payment privileges and would rather have a lower interest rate.

The survey also explored other aspects of what concerns British Columbians about the current economic climate.

Concerned about the economy getting worse: 67% agree
Had to delay a major purchase: 45% agree
Concerned about job security: 44% agree

The online poll of 603 adult British Columbians was conducted by Ipsos Reid between April 21 and April 24, 2009. The margin of error for a sample size of 603 is ±4.0%, 95, times out of 100. The data was weighted to reflect the actual age, gender and regional composition of British Columbians.

Tim Tams on Canada AM

2009-04-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

This morning Canada AM's Jeff Hutcheson learned how to do the Tim Tam Slam. He is heading to Australia for the Best Job in the World contest announcement and there were some essential travel skills that he needed to know before taking off. Thanks to Tourism Australia for working with us to make this happen.

Slam tip #1: as soon as you taste the coffee through the biscuit your have to flip it around and slam it.

Park Royal Tackles Plastic

2009-04-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

Based on the findings of a trash analysis conducted by Metro Vancouver, Park Royal Shopping Centre is announcing a plan to tackle its plastic waste. The program, which officially launches on Earth Day (April 22), includes the elimination of 'bad' plastic bags (marked HDPE and LDPE) and the addition of a soft plastics recycling program throughout the Shopping Centre.

The trash inventory was conducted in autumn of 2008 and identified the three leading categories of waste in Park Royal’s garbage: organics, paper and plastic. Upon examining the plastic waste, Metro Vancouver estimated that 278 tonnes of plastic per year could be recycled rather than being sent to the landfill.

“When we saw the numbers, it reaffirmed for us that it was time to take action,” says Cindy Papa, Director of Marketing & Sustainability for the Centre. “We’re beginning by tackling plastics, and we’re looking forward to significantly reducing what we are sending to the landfill.”

Vancouver Magazine Announces Winners of 20th Annual Restaurant Awards

2009-04-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

Vancouver, BC; April 15, 2009 – Stars of the B.C. restaurant industry gathered yesterday at the Sheraton Wall Centre for the 20th Annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. The audience of more than 800 included the city’s top chefs, sommeliers and food critics. The event was capped by Cioppino’s/Enoteca winning the event’s top honor, Restaurant of the Year.

“There were some surprises this year,” said Vancouver magazine editor-in-chief Gary Stephen Ross, “which shows that the culinary scene is vital and ever-changing. Even in tough economic times, rooms that get it right quickly become popular with the dining public—and draw the attention of our 19 judges.”

To mark the 20th anniversary of this event, special recognition was given to those who have made a lasting impression on the industry. For his role in making Vancouver a leading culinary destination, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Hidekazu Tojo - owner of the legendary Tojo’s. In addition to being given this honour, Tojo’s also won Best Formal Japanese for the 18th consecutive year. Other honourees included Fuel’s Robert Belcham who was awarded Chef of the Year and Robert Clark of C who was given the Green Award.

Other highlights included La Quercia winning Best New Restaurant and Best Casual Italian after its first year in business. Industry legends, Vikram Vij of Vij’s and Michel Jacob of Le Crocodile also won in their respective categories. Vij’s has won Best Indian since the category was created 13 years ago and Le Crocodile has also been a consistent winner having won Best Formal French eight times.

Several categories saw some surprises. For best dining in Whistler, Bearfoot Bistro won the top honour beating nine time winner Araxi. Cru was given the Gold Award in the Best Small Plates category, while five time winner Bin 941/942 took Silver.

For a full list of winners, go to www.vanmag.com/restaurants/Awards

Park Royal Shopping Centre Donates $500,000 to Development of North Shore Spirit Trail

2009-04-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Park Royal Shopping Centre has announced that it is making a $500,000 donation to the North Shore Spirit Trail, a waterfront network of paths and walkways that will connect communities from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. The donation marks the first major commitment from a private company to the West Vancouver portion of the Spirit Trail.

"With this donation, the Spirit Trail is off on the right foot," says West Vancouver Mayor, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones. "Park Royal's leadership in sustainability is an asset to the community.

The donation will be earmarked for the construction of a three meter-wide pedestrian structure to be added to the lower road bridge that crosses the Capilano River. The existing bridge connects Bridge Road and Taylor Way on the south side of Park Royal. The funds will also provide for the expansion of the sidewalk on the south side of the Shopping Centre, making the path wider and more accessible. When complete, residents and visitors will be able to hike, run or bike along the 35-kilometre Spirit Trail from one end of the North Shore to the other.

Spring Begins With a Boink

2009-03-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

Vancouver, BC; March 19, 2009 – Spring Advertising + Design is celebrating the first day of the season with its second annual Boink Day, a pogo-a-thon to raise funds for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. From 7am – 7pm on Friday, March 20 on the Georgia Street Side of the Vancouver Art Gallery, the advertising firm and its clients will donate ten cents to the Food Bank for every pogo bounce performed by a member of the public.

“With Boink Day we’re trying to give the first day of Spring its due.” says Rob Schlyecher

Partner and Creative Director of Spring Advertising + Design. “We’re going outside and getting on pogo sticks to celebrate the end of a long cold wet winter and raise money for the Food Bank.”

In addition to raising funds through boinking, the public can also make a cash or non-perishable food donation. For every $1 donated, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank can purchase $3 of nutritious fresh fruit, vegetables, and eggs.

Last year, out of the $3,000 cash raised, the Food Bank was able to purchase $9,000 worth of food. This year, Spring aims to break that total, while pogo-ers will aim to beat last year’s record of 2,500 consecutive boinks.

Visit Boink Day on Facebook.

Noise Expands to Toronto

2009-03-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

Vancouver, BC; March 3, 2009 – Vancouver-based digital advertising agency Noise Digital announced today its expansion to Toronto. The agency is bucking current economic trends by adding resources to service its growing client base.

“Our business is expanding exponentially,” says Trevor Carr, President & CEO, Noise Digital. “We are seeing a fundamental change in the agency model. Our clients are tasking us, not just with digital execution, but with overall campaign strategy. And to meet these growing needs we are delighted to now have a fixed presence in Ontario.”

The company has hired Peter Pinfold as VP Client Services to open Noise Toronto. Pinfold was a former Noise client at Unilever and worked with the agency on the award-winning Degree Fashionista Challenge, which was awarded Best in Show at the 2006 W³ Awards.

In the newly created role of VP Client Services, Pinfold will be responsible for business development and account direction. While Noise’s creative resources will still be housed in Vancouver, Pinfold will work closely with key accounts including adidas and Sony PlayStation.

“Peter was the natural choice to be our anchor in Toronto,” adds Carr. “He brings more than ten years of marketing and sales experience on both the client and agency sides.”

Pinfold has worked on a portfolio of CPG brands and has won numerous national and international awards for media innovation and brand activation, including Best of Show at the 2006 and 2007 Promo Awards. While at Unilever, Peter and the extended Dove team were recognized by Strategy Magazine as marketers of the year in 2004. In 2005, Peter led the much talked about Degree Poker Championship and the lauded Dove documentary, Beauty Quest.

“Digital brand experiences are increasingly becoming an indispensable part of the marketing mix. A shared brand building philosophy and a passion for innovation is what first attracted me to Noise, ” says Pinfold. “This is a great opportunity to take my experience and help build engaging programs for our clients as well as contribute to the depth of marketing know-how at Noise”.

Noise Zombifies Online Dating

2009-02-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

Vancouver, BC; February 17, 2009 – For those who haven’t been able to find love the traditional way, Noise Digital has created Zombie Singles. The zombie-themed online dating site was designed to promote Resident Evil: Degeneration, the recently released title for Nokia’s mobile gaming platform, N-Gage.

Through Zombie Singles users can interact by creating a pseudo-dating profile in hopes of finding their zombie match. They can also collect friends, or “fiends”, and rate other pictures based on their “Bore or Gore” factor. The site leverages the The Zombifier, a custom flash application that allows users to “zombify” themselves, transforming an ordinary picture into a zombie-style avatar with wounds, incisions, blood spots, and more.

The site incorporates facets of standard social media and dating sites with specialized interactive elements for zombie fans. For example, Zombie Singles users can ‘bite’ other zombies if they want more attention. Throughout the site, users are exposed to promotions and ads for the latest Resident Evil/N-Gage title and can opt-in to the N-Gage Community.

“Resident Evil is already a highly successful media franchise. Our goal was to harness users’ interest in the franchise, capture their attention, and build an online community,” says Mark Nishiguchi, Managing Partner, Noise Digital. “To make our marketing efforts more engaging, we used Easter eggs to link to N-Gage and Resident Evil contests and promotions around the site. Users either answer trivia questions or hunt around the site for clues in order to win prizes.”

Site users are automatically entered to win a trip for two to Japan, exclusive passes to the 2009 Tokyo Game Show, a meeting with Resident Evil game designers from Capcom Japan, and two Nokia N96 devices. The contest will be judged by N-Gage and Capcom officials and the winner will be chosen based on their “Bore or Gore” rating, the quality of their photo, and the number of fiends that they accumulate.

“We had to overcome a number of challenges with this campaign, including the fact that we had no media support,” continues Nishiguchi. “As a result, we leveraged a compelling contest prize and are drawing traffic from other sources such as Resident Evil, zombie, and horror fan forum communities. We are also tying into existing social media such as Facebook, Digg, and Delicious to allow users to download and share their profile pictures.”

Perfect Pairing Unveiled at Joeys Bentall

2009-01-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

Vancouver, BC; January 9, 2009 – Joeys Restaurants officially announced today the launch of its newest location at Bentall One tower. With two separate spaces under one roof – the Wine Room and the Long Bar – Joeys Bentall is both the latest evolution for Joeys and something different for the Downtown Vancouver business district.

At Joeys Bentall, guests have the choice of either enjoying the classic Joeys Lounge experience, or relaxing in a space dedicated to the exploration of the world of wine. The two distinct spaces each have their own entrance. The Wine Room is accessible from Pender Street, while the entrance to the Long Bar is on the Burrard Street side of Bentall One.

In the Wine Room, the focus is on experiencing the world of wine. The space features the Enomatic, a state-of-the-art wine serving system that enables Joeys to offer wine lovers an extensive list of more than 60 wines by the taster or glass. The leading edge system allows bottles of wine to be opened and protected from oxidation, preserving the wine as if bottle has just been opened. The expansive wine list is complemented by a bistro-style menu, which features items such as flatbreads that pair especially well with wine.

Knowledgeable servers are on hand in the Wine Room to help facilitate wine discovery with guests. In the semi-private Mezzanine level, groups of 8-10 can take part in Joeys wine tasting events during which guests can interact with wine industry specialists.

“The vibe of the Wine Room is definitely relaxed,” says Geoff Boyd, Joeys Sommelier. “Our goal is to encourage our customers to discover new tastes and flavours, but we also want to have fun at the same time. We think that the city is ready for a wine experience like this.”

In the Long Bar, guests can meet for business lunches or get-togethers with friends and colleagues over dinner and cocktails. Especially for this room, Joeys has created a drink menu that takes cocktails into the culinary realm. The Essential, for example, is made from fresh muddled roma tomato, peach and lime. This combination is then shaken with gin, plum sake and a press of apricot juice. Guests in the Long Bar can enjoy a cocktail and order from the full Joeys menu.

“In the Long Bar and the Wine Room, our guests will find the full Joeys menu that they’ve come to know and love, but we’ve also had fun with creating a selection of new items that pair perfectly with wine,” says Joeys Executive Chef Chris Mills. “The Nova Scotia Lobster and Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a great choice with a glass of wine. Or if you want to do some sharing, the warm Baked Brie wrapped in phyllo and served with a toasted cranberry crostini makes a great choice.”

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Aussie Tim Tam biscuits slam into Canada

2008-11-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

by Adam McDowell

Aussie expatriates rejoice: No need to smuggle Tim Tams in your luggage anymore, as the chocolate treats from Down Under have arrived on Canadian shores. Now it’s time to spread your disgusting delicious biscuit-slurping habits in a new country.

Tim Tams, according to the press release, consist of “two layers of chocolate malted biscuit separated by light cream filling and coated in a thin layer of textured chocolate.” They come in three flavours: Original, Chewy Caramel and Classic Dark Chocolate. Australians evidently consume said cookies employing a technique known as the Tim Tam Slam, the company’s description of which reads like an advanced course in dunking.

Based on YouTube evidence, there is indeed an established order of things. Natalie Imbruglia once showed ever-entertaining Irish-British talk show host Graham Norton how to do it. Here’s how to eat a Tim Tam like a platinum-selling recording artist:

1. Prepare a warm drink (e.g. tea, coffee or hot chocolate; tea seems to be traditional)
2. Nibble off the corners of the biscuit
3. Use your Tim Tam as a straw, sucking the drink through it (“This is the part where it gets orgasmic,” says Imbruglia)
4. Just when you start to taste the drink, flip the cookie around and slam it into your mouth (quickly — Natalie Imbruglia warns us that the Tim Tam will be melting by this time)
5. Repeat as above

Whether or not you consider buying a package of Tim Tams and trying this for yourself at home, one thing’s for certain: Dipping chocolate cookies in tea will taste much better than dunking them in Vegemite.

Noise Turns up the Heat at Nokia With Sauna Talk

2008-11-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

Vancouver, BC; November 4, 2008 – Noise Digital announced today the launch of Sauna Talk, a global B2B campaign for Nokia. The campaign was created to connect with game developers and raise industry awareness and understanding of N-Gage, Nokia’s global gaming software platform.

“Ultimately we needed to find a way to communicate with the game developer community to discuss a wide range of topics, some of which can be quite technical,” says Mark Nishiguchi, Managing Partner, Noise Digital. “We felt that we could use humour to both engage and inform our target audience. The result was Sauna Talk.”

Sauna Talk is a cheeky, multi-faceted campaign that plays off Nokia’s Finnish heritage. It spoofs a tech talk show and features light, yet informative and specific topics with humorous elements that generally make fun of the ‘not so technical’ host: Arnold Faber.

The campaign includes a microsite and video interview segments designed to leverage social networks, fan pages and content-sharing platforms such as Ovi and Facebook to help spread awareness of the brand and N-Gage platform. The campaign is housed online at www.insider.n-gage.com/saunatalk/.

The campaign also features the “Sauna Talk Trivia Challenge”, a contest which is hosted on gamasutra.com, a key industry web site. Through the contest, entrants can win Sauna Talk merchandise by answering skill-testing questions about the platform. The contest is a way for Nokia to further inform its target audience.

“This campaign has given us a platform to communicate in a new way with our audience,” says Nick Malaperiman, Head of Global Publisher and Industry Marketing. “One of its best features is its flexibility - over time it will allow us to discuss a broad range of topics.”

The campaign was previewed in August in Leipzig, Germany at the GCDC (GC Developers Conference) where pilot videos played throughout the N-Gage booth and conference hall. The videos starred actual Nokia employees and discussed topics such as: community gaming, the N-Gage platform and the Nokia Research partners.

“We were overwhelmed by the initial response to the campaign,” continues Nishiguchi. “We created a lot of industry chatter and people really responded to the tongue-in-cheek interview format. They also appreciated that we were using actual Nokia employees.”

Sauna Talk is the latest campaign that has arisen from Noise’s long-standing relationship Nokia. Noise has been responsible for game branding, interactive strategy, international title marketing, design and development, and other unique global projects for N-Gage since 2002.

The Great Trash Tip Launches Waste Reduction Pilot Project

2008-10-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

West Vancouver, BC; October 23, 2008 –Metro Vancouver and Park Royal Shopping Centre today launched a waste reduction pilot project with an event called The Great Trash Tip. During the event, two massive garbage compactors full of waste and recycling were tipped into the Park Royal’s parking lot and examined by garbage inspectors. The event coincided with Canada’s Waste Reduction Week.

The event officially launched Park Royal and Metro Vancouver’s waste reduction pilot project, which began in September when the shopping centre’s garbage was first inspected at the North Shore Transfer Station. Following the inspections, Metro Vancouver will provide Park Royal with a report that inventories the contents of the centre’s garbage containers.

“The best way to reduce garbage is to not have garbage in the first place,” said Metro Vancouver Director Marvin Hunt who is chair of the region’s Waste Management Committee. “We are very pleased that Park Royal is demonstrating the necessary leadership in the business community to help us achieve our goal of Zero Waste.”

“Park Royal is committed to reducing waste,” says Cindy Papa, Director of Marketing & Sustainability for the Centre. “We are proud to be a part of this initiative and look forward to sharing the results with others to ultimately reduce unnecessary waste being sent to the landfill.”

The current inventory of Park Royal’s garbage will serve as a benchmark, and both the Region and the Shopping Centre hope to see a significant reduction in the amount of waste when it is inspected again several months down the road.

“Our hope is that the Park Royal waste reduction project becomes a model that we can apply at shopping centres right across the Metro Vancouver area,” continued Hunt.

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The Wait is Over: Tim Tams Finally Arrive In Canada

2008-10-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

Vancouver, BC; October 23, 2008– Ex-pat Australians and Canadian chocolate lovers are rejoicing at the news that Arnott’s renowned Tim Tam biscuits have arrived in Canada. Concord Sales Ltd./Concord National Inc., a leading Canadian food distributor, has secured the rights to import Tim Tams from Australia. Starting this month, the biscuits (a.k.a. cookies) will be available in major Canadian grocery and drug stores.

“In my long career as Australian Senior Trade Commissioner in six countries, I and the Australian expatriate community have depended on parcels from home to supply us with survival supplies of iconic Aussie foods, like Tim Tams,” says Stefan Trofimovs, Australian Senior Trade Commissioner and Consul General Toronto. “Our life is so much easier having global distribution of these brands. I know Aussies in Canada will give thanks to Concord for now supplying this country and I am certain that discerning Canadian consumers will quickly appreciate what we have known for decades about the qualities of Tim Tams.”

Australia’s favourite biscuit is made from two layers of chocolate malted biscuit separated by a light cream filling and coated in a thin layer of textured chocolate. The indulgent chocolate, created from a secret recipe, cradles a delicate cream centre of vanilla, butter and chocolate. Tim Tams are available in three flavours: Original, Chewy Caramel and Classic Dark Chocolate.

Tim Tams were first launched in 1963 and are made by Arnott’s Biscuits, the venerable Australian biscuit company that has been in operation since 1865. The biscuit is so popular, that Australians annually consume nearly 35 million packs.

“The biscuits are not simply a way to satisfy chocolate cravings, they are an experience, complete with their own ritual,” says Tina Ryan of Concord Sales Ltd./Concord National Inc. “Tim Tam enthusiasts take their love of the biscuits to the next level, even sharing online videos on how to best enjoy them.”

The Tim Tam Slam is the preferred consumption method of the true Tim Tam aficionado. The technique involves biting off opposite corners of a Tim Tam and using it as a straw to sip a hot beverage such as coffee or tea. As soon as the biscuit lover tastes the hot liquid through the cookie, it must be swiftly flipped around and ‘slammed’ into the their mouth before it falls apart.

Cookie lovers will find videos on YouTube that feature celebrities such as Natalie Imbruglia and Jennifer Love Hewitt demonstrating the proper Slam technique. However, enthusiasm for the biscuits does not stop there. Fans of Tim Tams have dreamt up many ways to enjoy their favourite cookie including the Tim Tam Martini and the Tim Tam Chocolate Sundae.

After a long wait, Canadians can finally join the Tim Tam movement. The biscuits are now available at Save-on-Foods, Overwaitea Foods, PriceSmart Foods, London Drugs, IGA, Sobeys, Federated Co-Op and Buy-Low-Foods.

Great Western Brewing Company Shares the Wealth With Beer Lovers

2008-04-23T15:35:00.000-07:00

Saskatoon, SK; April 23, 2008 – Great Western Brewing Company is celebrating the three Gold Medals it won at the most recent Monde Selection Ceremony by giving away 24 solid gold medallions. The medallions will be awarded to 24 customers who find a specially marked can in a 24-can pack of Great Western Brewing’s premium beers: Light, Pilsner and Premium. The medallions weigh one ounce troy, which at yesterday's market closing was valued at $922 CAD.

“We are extremely proud of these awards because they signify that our beers are among the very best in the world,” says Ron Waldman, President and CEO, Great Western Brewing Company. “To share our success we wanted some lucky customers to strike gold too.”

Great Western Brewing won three gold medals at Monde Selection for its premium beers: Great Western Premium, Great Western Pilsner and Great Western Light. Monde Selection is one of the world’s most respected and difficult tests of product quality. Great Western Brewing enters the competition every second year and has been awarded gold medals in 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007.

“We believe that beer drinkers in Saskatchewan deserve nothing less than the best there is,” says Viv Jones, Brewmaster, Great Western Brewing Company. “Entering our beers into the world’s premiere beer competitions allows us to benchmark our quality and performance against our best competitors, and it is key to achieving our goal of being world-class.”

These specially marked 24-can packs will be the first from Great Western Brewing’s new packaging line. The company recently invested $400,000 in new equipment at its Saskatoon-based brewing facility. The investment represents the company’s commitment to continued growth in Saskatchewan and will allow it to provide customers with new product options including 15, 18 and 24-can packs in addition to its existing 12 can-packs.

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