May 2008

 
Posted: May 30, 2008 | 00:29 ET to The Sandbox
File Under: Creativity | Type



Because it's Friday, something fun.

In case you're interested, this book is available for pre-sale at Amazon.

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Posted: May 29, 2008 | 22:52 ET to Beyond the Numbers
File Under: Newspaper | Youth Marketing

While a year old, its findings are still timely.

Reading Between the Lines: Debunking Common Myths About Young Newspaper Readers suggests that young people who read newspapers are more likely to "vote in elections, volunteer time in community service, and be more socially active than less-frequent readers."

The study, which was presented at last year's Canadian Newspaper Association conference, "was conducted for the CNA by Decode, a Canadian market research firm that specializes in tracking behavioural trends and attitudes of youth and young adults," according to a press release on the CNA's website.

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Posted: May 28, 2008 | 21:29 ET to The Sandbox
File Under: Retail

The country's largest music chain is reinventing itself, according to a new article in The Globe and Mail.

In it, Globe writer Marina Strauss reports that HMV "will unveil its 'store of the future' in Toronto on June 17, modelled on an HMV test store in Britain."

The new improved music outlet will feature "a wide range of premium technology products, including a significant Apple presence.

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Posted: May 28, 2008 | 12:05 ET to The Career Activist
File Under: Work Environment | Careers & Recruitment

Feel as though you're stuck in a career rut and going nowhere fast? A coach or mentor may be just what you need to break out of your doldrums. Most people know about coaches and mentors, but may be confused about the differences between the two and uncertain of how to go about finding either one.



Mentors and coaches can both play an invaluable role for you, though it's important to understand the distinctions between what each can do for your career before you decide to work with either one.

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Posted: May 27, 2008 | 22:01 ET to The Sandbox
File Under: Youth Marketing | Mobile/Wireless

According to a new story in the LA Times, research firm Nielsen Mobile claims that teens are nearly twice as likely as adults to trust and respond to advertising delivered on mobile phones.

It's not surprising that young people enthusiastically sign up to receive info and updates about fashion, music, sports and other passions.

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Posted: May 23, 2008 | 10:09 ET to Beyond the Numbers
File Under: Research

Cossette Communications Group has announced that it's establishing the Cossette University Research Centre with the University of Ottawa.

The aim, according to a Cossette press release, "is to conduct research on past studies and campaigns to identify what makes an advertisement effective and also evaluate the impact of new broadcast platforms now available in the communications industry."

Cossette is also establishing a $3,000 grant that will be awarded every year for the next five years "to a qualifying Master's student recognized for [his or her] outstanding research on advertising (traditional, new media, or new technology)."

There's plenty more detail in the company's full press release.

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Posted: May 23, 2008 | 9:04 ET to The Interactive Strategist
File Under: Interactive

Years ago, when it was still a novelty, search marketing was largely touted for its ability to connect online marketers with a highly qualified audience of Internet users. They were considered qualified because they were actively searching for information related to a specific topic at the time that our ads were presented to them, and thus more likely to be interested in our relevant advertising message.

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Posted: May 23, 2008 | 5:42 ET to The Sandbox
File Under: Television | Contextual

TelevisionWeek's new article about the future of the medium has some mixed messages for marketers.

On the one hand, TV will continue to be TV, only in high-def. On the other, TV will integrate with the Internet in astounding new ways.

As proof that HDTV has come of age, a vice president for Scripps Networks claims that "[p]eople brag and compare TV set-ups now like they would cars.

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Posted: May 22, 2008 | 13:25 ET to The Sandbox
File Under: Movies | Integrated

While most films offer marketing and merchandising tie-in opps, few give marketers the chance to connect high-end product to a plotline the way Sex and the City will.



The groundbreaking HBO show legitimized rampant consumerism--in fact, it made it spending on luxury goods an integral part of female character development. To put it another way, SATC distributor New Line Cinema has reportedly dubbed the film's release the equivalent of a "Super Bowl for women."

With countless SATC- (and, no doubt, Cosmo-) fueled girls' night outs planned for May 30, a host of marketers like BMW, SKYY Vodka, Fido, and Toronto's David's and Hazelton Lanes (not to mention The Globe) have promotions linked to the debut according to our friends at Media in Canada.

My question: Where's Manolo Blahnik's promotion in all this? Shouldn't he be cashing in somehow? Or did I miss something?


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Posted: May 21, 2008 | 11:05 ET to The Sandbox
File Under: Beverages

As reported in Wednesday's Globe and Mail, the International Council of Beverages Association has announced a new set of voluntary guidelines that eliminates "the marketing of carbonated soft drinks, flavoured waters and energy drinks to any audience comprising 'predominantly' children under 12."

Sounds reasonable, right? Most people recognize that pushing high-fructose corn syrup-based beverages to kids is probably not helping the real and growing problem of childhood obesity.

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Posted: May 20, 2008 | 10:33 ET to Everyone's a Guru
File Under: Branding | Career | Creative



Steam Whistle Brewing is an independent brewer housed in Toronto’s historic John St. Roundhouse. With his artistic direction and creativity, Elton Clemente has successfully brought the Steam Whistle brand to the mainstream. From posters and banners to bottle openers and packaging, Clemente has helped to establish Steam Whistle Brewing as a fun, energetic, premium independently owned Canadian Microbrewery.

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Posted: May 15, 2008 | 8:41 ET to The Career Activist
File Under: Work Environment

A curious incident from my corporate days. I rushed into my boss's office one morning to ask for clarification on one of my projects. She was on the phone and flipped her hand at me to sit and wait. As I did so, I noticed something, um, peculiar. On her ultra-tidy desk, all by itself and facing directly my way, was a job ad she had cut out from the newspaper.

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