Marija Djukic

CBC goes ‘green’
Hoping to encourage Canadians to think and act green, CBC and its late-night talk show The Hour teamed up with Toronto-based Internet solutions provider Cisco Systems Canada to launch a national environmental movement, One Million Acts of Green (OMAoG).

Creating marcom leaders
The new Masters Certificate in Brand Communications offered at the Schulich Executive Education Centre (SEEC) – a result of a partnership between the Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA) and Schulich – will launch in January.

Switching gears
Reginald McLay revisits those quintessential Canadian Tire moments to build an emotional bond with consumers.

Ipsos speaks your language
In an ‘it’s about time’ move, Paris-based market research company Ipsos North America has included multilingual options in its recently launched 5.0 Ipsos Interactive Forum (IAF) survey scripting software. Now, marketers can craft surveys in languages including Chinese, Russian and Hindi.

Consistency pays off for Telus
With the optimistic tagline ‘The future is friendly’ sharing space with meerkats against a clutter-free white backdrop, Telus’ customer-focused advertising continues to win over Canadian consumers. In fact, the universal appeal of animals and simple language – currently focusing on smartphones – has allowed the Burnaby, B.C.-based telecommunications company to achieve a 54% growth in wireless data this year while staying true to its vision of making complex things simple. Today, Telus has approximately 5.8 million wireless subscribers and 4,000 retail stores and dealership locations across Canada.

Bell’s better bet
Bell retired its long-time spokesbeavers Frank and Gordon last month and unveiled a new corporate brand conceived by Zak Mroueh’s recently launched Toronto agency Zulu Alpha Kilo, as well as Toronto’s Leo Burnett, Montreal’s Lg2 and Cossette, also of Toronto.

Trident makes a splash
Cadbury’s Trident Splash hosted the National Cannonball Championship in Toronto last month. Contestants performed cannonballs for a live crowd and a panel of media judges for a $2,000 grand prize.

New York Fries gets real
The new effort from Toronto-based New York Fries charts a novel course for fast food, targeting women ages 25 to 49 via ads in magazines like Chatelaine, Hello!, Flare, Canadian Living, People, Style at Home and Canadian House & Home.

Mini-priced minis
Ad-wrapped Mini Coopers, Mini Cooper Clubmans and Smart cars are now available for rent in Toronto for just $1 per day from Toronto-based CityFlitz, thanks to funds derived from advertising partners including Yahoo! Canada, North by Northeast Film and Music Festival and Global Ryan’s Pet Foods.

Ikea taps into pop culture
Toronto-based Zig added some pop – literally – to Ikea’s new collection and fall catalogue launch.

Boot It Up for the kids
Giving back to the community and spreading awareness, says Blundstone CEO Ian Heaps, are two goals in a Toronto-based arts project that gets local artists and ad agencies to rethink the look of Blundstone boots, including kids’ Blunnies.

Eco-friendly buzz at the Fairmont
Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York hotel is taking eco-friendly and sustainable ideas to new levels this year with the introduction of three new hives in its rooftop garden.

Colouring for pride
Pixels for Pride is a new fundraising effort out of PFLAG Canada (Parents, Families & Friends of Gays and Lesbians) to help the organization’s efforts to promote understanding. With every $5 donation, pixelsforpride.ca visitors can add a pixel to the online flag in their fave rainbow colour, along with a message.

Help for gas pain
Increasing gas need and an even greater upsurge in gas prices over the summer create a double whammy for consumers. Some companies pumped up their karma points with customers by alleviating the gas pressure.

Rona reaches out to youth
Boucherville, Que.-based Rona launched an Olympic-themed campaign last month to leverage its national partnership with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.