Jesse Kohl

Do marketers dream of electric screens?
As innovation continues in the digital out-of-home mediascape, marketers may no longer have to imagine a future where consumers are surrounded by multiple interactive calls for engagement.

Brands beef up their supporting role
Whether the screen is giant or tiny, keeping TV viewers glued to the ads is a growing concern. It requires getting exponentially creative, both inside and outside commercial pods. Here are some of the new brand-driven plot twists…

Owning them elsewhere
Canadian nets are broadening their reach by adding content online and on-air

The new new media: DIY OOH: Jessica Chambers, senior media strategist, OMD Canada, Toronto
What sets Jessica Chambers apart is her determination to bring innovation to her clients (Wrigley, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and FedEx) and her understanding of the ways that media can enhance brand communication.

Going far with Mitsubishi: Christina Calleja, media strategist, OMD Canada (BBDO Automotive Group-Mitsubishi), Toronto
Christina Calleja played an integral role in coordinating the Mitsubishi Motors Media Summit, an annual event that gives the media sales community insights into Mitsubishi’s objectives and encourages vendors to develop custom campaigns.

The art and science of reinventing online protocols: Mai Duong, group manager digital media, Touche!PHD, Montreal
Mai Duong’s portfolio reads like a passport. It ranges from global brands such as Cirque du Soleil and Red Bull to international real estate developers like Playground in Costa Rica. She also works with the agency’s Quebec-based flagship accounts, such as the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), and was the mastermind behind the liquor purveyor’s first digital campaign.

A fondness for widgets (and all things digital): Alice Ho, interactive buyer/planner, Genesis Vizeum Canada, Toronto
Ho’s current client roster reads like a who’s who of key Canadian blue-chip brands: Suzuki, Panasonic Canada, Sirius Satellite Radio, Heinz Canada, Ocean Spray, Remax, the Toronto Star, Indigo Books & Music, Research In Motion and StarChoice.

Putting bums in trucks, one hootenanny at a time: Thomas Flood, communications planner, Dentsu Canada, Toronto
Over the past few months, strategy reached out to media vets in a search for the best next-gen media minds – those who are setting new standards in strategy and tactics. This is the final installment of our two-part series featuring the players that media shops singled out as ones to watch. Check out what they’ve been up to.

Next media stars (part 2 of 2)
Over the past few months, strategy reached out to media vets in a search for the best next-gen media minds – those who are setting new standards in strategy and tactics. This is the final installment of our two-part series featuring the players that media shops singled out as ones to watch. Check out what they’ve been up to.

Making the news: Doug Sinclair, Genesis-Vizeum Canada, Toronto
Understanding diversity in targets, and their broadcast consumption shifts, is a key strength for Doug Sinclair. He’s responsible for reaching demos that range from young moms to men who drive 20,000+ km per year for a buying portfolio that includes H.J. Heinz of Canada, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, H&R Block, Goodyear, the Toronto Star and the recently acquired Suzuki Canada.

Targeting through language translates to ROI: Cesar Antonio Hervieux, Media Contacts, New York
Cesar Antonio Hervieux’s work in Toronto was so good that Media Contacts New York recently snapped him up to start work in the Big Apple.

Leading by (digital) example: Danny Shenkman, ZenithOptimedia, Toronto
Danny Shenkman is making a name for himself in media with ZenithOptimedia’s online media arm, ZedDigital. His key accounts include Twentieth Century Fox, XM Radio and Nestle.

Not by-the-book book deals: Nadia Codispoti, PHD, Toronto
One of Nadia Codispoti’s stand-out successes is the Dove Pro Age book program in Quebec. De femme a femme (From Woman to Woman) was an inspirational book devised by the media agency, in partnership with Quebec’s TVA Publications, to highlight the life and experiences of Quebec comedian, actress and singer Judi Richards and 29 other women.

Getting brands centre stage play: Kelly Bedard, Saatchi & Saatchi, Toronto
When Transitions Optical wanted a broadcast-based promotion that showcased its product (lenses that change as glasses wearers move inside to outside to provide protection from the sun), Kelly Bedard arranged for the product’s functionality to be featured in Debbie Travis’ From the Ground Up.

Next media stars
Over the past few months,strategy reached out to media vets in a search for the best next-gen media minds – those who are setting new standards in strategy and trying new tactics. In the rapidly evolving mediaverse, these are the pros that media shops have singled out as being on top – and a step ahead of the game. Here, we profile the first five. Next month the series continues; in the meantime, check in with our daily, Media in Canada, as we unroll this year’s Next Media Stars…