3/20-22. 52nd Annual Advertising Research Foundation Convention & Expo.
We all know that technology is now forcing media cos to rethink their business models. This event promises to share which model will deliver audiences – and what it means for advertisers. Speakers include Randy Falco, president/COO, NBC Universal Television Group, who will talk about the future of TV in light of such tech as iPods and interactive TV, while advertisers like Paul Alexander, VP global advertising for Campbell Soup Company, and Dawn Hudson, president/CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America, will react to his vision in a panel format. New York Marriott Marquis, NYC. 212.751.5656. www.thearf.org.
3/30. Strategy presents The Brand Experience: How to Make a Brand Promise (And Keep It). WestJet’s Sean Durfy, just named strategy’s Marketer of the Year (see page 48), keynotes on the gutsy airline’s branding success story – both inside and out – and shares the insights he gleaned from ongoing efforts to keep in touch with customers. York Event Theatre, Toronto. 416.408.2300 x313. www.strategymag.com/brandexperience.
4/24-26. Fuse: Brand Identity & Package Design. The majority of purchase decisions are made in-store so your package really has to stand out. This confab delves into how to get there, tapping legendary design guru Philippe Starck to speak about keeping honesty, objectivity and integrity at the core of brand design while Coke’s global packaging manager, Scott C. Biondich, shares how to develop packaging for a worldwide audience. Presented by the Institute for International Research. Waldorf-Astoria, NYC. 888.670.8200.
www.iirusa.com/bipd.
03/27. Extreme Experiential Retailing. Brighton, Ont.-based Brand Revival and BrainFood Partners offer a learning experience for retail leaders, facilitated by Marie Germain, a brand coach and trainer for 20 years. Germain looks at topics like what drives human beings before, during and after they experience your establishment, and how to build remarkable experiences. Marriott at The Dome, Toronto. 613.475.0036/866.373.7775. www.brandrevival.net
03/27-29. Youth Marketing Mega-Event. Roger VanDerSnick, VP Marketing, NASCAR talks about growing up with your consumer. Presented bythe NYC-based Institute for International Research. Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, California. 888.670.8200. www.youthmarketingmegaevent.com.
03/28. Now that media is the new creative, you might want to check out The Canadian Media Director’s Council Conference. Speakers include keynote Maurice Levy, chairman/CEO, Publicis Groupe SA and luncheon speaker Pierre Karl Péladeau, president/CEO, Quebecor. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto. 416.480.6656. www.cmdc.ca
04/27. Sponsorship Marketing Conference & Awards. A spin-off of the ACA, the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada is providing a forum for those with a stake in the continued growth and development of sponsorship marketing to meet, exchange ideas and enhance relationships. The deadline for entries for the awards is March 6. 416-964-3805/514.842.6422/800.565.0109. www.sponsorshipmarketing.ca
04/28. This year The Bessies will be celebrating 43 years of honouring excellence in Canadian TV spots. Highlights include the Spiess Award which is given to someone who has who has furthered excellence in TV advertising over their entire career. Produced by the Television Bureau of Canada. 416-923-8813. www.thebessies.ca.
05/05. The B.C. Chapter of the American Marketing Association presents its 2006 VISION Conference. in which marketers, creatives, and planners provoke thought on what it takes to be a visionary leader in the biz. Hyatt Regency Hotel, Vancouver. 604.983.6262. www.bcama.com/
05/13-16. This year the venerable Clio Awards are highlighting ‘unusual uses of media, repositioning of technologies and the reinvention of broadcast.’ South Beach, Miami, Fla. 312-583-5300. www.clioawards.com.
05/21-24. International Council of Shopping Centers 2006 Spring Convention. Las Vegas. www.icsc.org.
05/24-26. Canadian Newspaper Association Annual Conference. Casino Nova Scotia Hotel, Halifax. 416.923.3568. www.cna-acj.ca.
06/11-13. American Advertising Federation National Conference. Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, San Francisco. 800.999.2231. www.aaf.org.
06/20-24. Cannes Lions 2006 53rd International Advertising Festival. Cannes, France. +44 (0)20 7239 3400. www.canneslions.com.
