IN-STORE KIOSKS TO ALLOW INTERNET ACCESS

Toronto-based Systech Retail Systems has launched three in-store kiosk applications the company says will save consumers time and allow them controlled access to the Internet. The applications allow retailers to customize Internet access and display advertising on the screen at all times. Consumers will be able to send e-mail, print electronic shopping lists, withdraw cash, purchase event tickets or win prizes and gifts. They can even use the kiosks to swipe their frequent buyer card in order to view or print a list of the incentives to which they are entitled.

PIVOTAL SOLUTION TO ENHANCE CUSTOMER CARE

Pivotal Corp. of Vancouver has inked a deal with Vancouver-based ServicePlus Corp. that will provide integrated Web, wireless and Windows service and support capabilities for the companies’ customers. The collaborative solution will offer companies the ability to manage the entire customer relationship life cycle from the initial point of contact with sales and support through field and depot service. The software is designed to increase customer care levels by arming service and support personnel with integrated, up-to-the-minute customer information.

SOFTWARE ANALYZES CUSTOMER DATA TO SUPPORT DECISION-MAKING

A Montreal-based company has integrated its software with that of a company in San Jose, Calif., that the two say will allow users to analyze customer information collected through the Internet and traditional marketing, sales and service channels. Visionyze.com and Clarify Inc. say their integrated offering can help improve fact-based decision-making. Clients can use point-and-click technology to analyze customer data gathered and integrated from different points of customer interaction.

IBM LAUNCHES DATA MANAGEMENT SOLUTION

Markham, Ont.-based IBM Canada has unveiled the IBM Content Manager to help companies manage the ever-increasing amount of digital information now facing organizations. According to Big Blue, the content management market is expected to exceed $10 billion by 2004. IBM’s Content Manager solution involves the collection, management and electronic distribution of all forms of business information – including e-mails, audio, video and images – and linking it to core business processes. It is designed to help clients integrate, leverage and share all forms of digital content for increased productivity, operational efficiencies and competitive advantage.

The Garden promotes two creative directors

ACDs Lindsay Eady and Francheska Galloway-Davis have taken over responsibility for day-to-day creative leadership at The Garden after being promoted to creative director roles.

The pair will also help develop the agency’s creative talent, formalizing mentorship and leadership activities they have been doing since joining the agency four and three years ago, respectively. In addition to creating the agency’s internship program, the pair have worked on campaigns for Coinsquare, FitTrack and “The Coke Challenge” campaign for DanceSafe.

Eady and Galloway-Davis will continue to report to The Garden’s co-founder and chief creative officer Shane Ogilvie, who is stepping back from daily creative duties to a more high-level strategic role, allowing him to focus on client relationships and business growth.

Naked Creative Consultancy names new creative and strategy leadership

Toronto’s Naked Creative Consultancy has hired Yasmin Sahni as its new creative director. She is taking over creative leadership from David Kenyon, who has been in the role for 10 years and is moving into a new role as director of strategy, leading the discipline at the agency.

Sahni is coming off of three years as VP and ECD at GTB’s Toronto office, where she managed all the retail, social and service creative for Ford Canada. She previously managed both Vice Media and Vice’s in-house ad agency Virtue.

Peter Shier, president of Naked, says Sahni’s hiring adds to its creative bench and capabilities, as well as a track record of mentorship, a priority for the company. Meanwhile, Kenyon’s move to the strategy side, he says, makes sense because of his deep knowledge of its clients, which have included Ancestry and The Globe and Mail.

Digital Ethos opens a Toronto office

U.K. digital agency Digital Ethos is pursuing new growth opportunities in North America by opening a new office in Toronto.

Though it didn’t disclose them, the agency has begun serving a number of North American clients, and CEO/founder Luke Tobin says the “time was right to invest in a more formal and actual presence in the area.” whose services include design, SEO, pay-per-click, social media, influencer and PR,

This year, the agency’s growth has also allowed it to open an office in Hamburg, Germany, though it also has remote staff working in countries around the world.

Moray Hickes was the company’s first North American hire as VP of sales, tasked with business development in the region.