Something is Brewing in Toronto

This week, September 20 to 26, is Toronto Beer Week. Yes, that is right, Beer Week. This first ever event is designed to celebrate and advance the craft brewer movement. Throughout the week there will be events all over the city, at participating bars, pubs, and venues. This is a great event to promote a product and various suppliers throughout the city.

I first heard about Beer Week from an advertisement in one of my favorite free publications, then saw a poster for it in one of my favorite pubs, and then I shared this information with my friends, who were equally as interested. Now we are coordinating schedules to check out a least an event, or two. Beer Week appeals to us. We like doing new things, are interested in trying new things, and love things with free give always.

Beer Week is using a passport to advertise events and encourage people to visit participating locations. Those interested can download passports online or pick them up from participating locations. The passport contains information about Beer Week events and gives participants chances to win various prizes. All people have to do is drop their passport in a ballot box at a participating locations. The idea of having a fun element, such as the passport, really appealed to my friends and it made them eager to check out a few events throughout the week.

Toronto Beer Week could be a great way for craft breweries to showcase the quality of its beer. Also, some events are educational, so they allow for people to learn more about craft beer. All around Beer Week seem like a great marketing strategy for craft brewers to connect with its audiences.

For more information check out the Toronto Beer Week site:
Toronto Beer Week

Now Magazine also has a great feature outlining some interesting events:
Now Magazine

Cheers!

Living in the Interactive Age

I am not always the biggest fan of social media. When a company adds social media, or a YouTube video, to its latest and greatest marketing campaign it does not always achieve its goal. Sometimes traditional marketing and advertising add more value to a campaign and deliver a higher return on investment. When a company focuses on the message, the creative, and the copy it can create a great connection with its audience, regardless of the medium.

I love social media and interactive media when it's done well. Two great interactive videos that I love are Arcade Fire's The Wilderness Downtown and Tipp-ex's A Hunter Shoots a Bear. (Now, I know, the Arcade Fire video isn't an advertisement, but isn't a music video basically an advertisement for the band and the album? I would argue yes.) These videos are great. They allow the participant to interact, add their own information and see what the video produces. It is amazing what both videos accomplish. Both videos amazed and entertained me, made me remember the product and video, and now I will recommend it to my friends on Facebook.

Check them out for yourself:


The Wilderness Downtown

Hunter Shoots a Bear

Commercial Break

I have always been a person who loved commercials. I think my love for them started when I was younger and hated turning the channel, or leaving the room, during the commercial break. Back then, it had more to do with not wanting to miss what happened to Zac and the gang on Save the Bell.

But since then, I have grown up and learnt a thing or two about public relations, marketing, and advertising. This knowledge has developed into a new found respect for commercials. Most commercials I like because of the genius of the creative. The idea that went into making such a unique advertising campaign intrigues me. Other commercials I love because of the graphics. Today there are a few commercials out there that are movie worthy. I mean that these commercials as so epic that I forget they are commercials and instead I am drawn in.

Here are two of my favorite commercials. The first is an epic Sapporo commercial. The other is Kotex’s sarcastic response to its competitors.


Legendary Biru


Apology.


For this legendary commercial Sapporro Beer Canada hired Dentsu Canada. This commercial makes you take notice and watch the commercial. It draws you in and makes your forget “its just a commercial”. There is a website that accompanies the campaign, but the real genius of this commercial is the incredible graphics.

JWT, New York made Kotex into a revolutionary feminine hygiene company by making a joke out of its competitors advertising. The Kotex commercial is simple. It makes a point to be different, because of this it is memorable.

These are just two of the commercials that I think do a great job of advertising.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation: A Blog Post

It's the official end to the summer- the Labour Day Weekend. For many this is a sad time. It's time to admit another summer has past and a new fall, a new school year, is upon us. Yes, I am one of those nerds that loved going back to school. What can I say? I love a new challenge. I love learning new things. I love fall sweaters. But this year, like years past, I am not going back to school. Although I will take a course or two, maybe a marketing course, a french course, or an art course, I am not a full-time student.

Even though I am not a full-time student, I still love the timeless September ritual of reflecting on how I spent my summer vacation. 
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I am from a small town that is surrounded by water. I love heading home in the summer to see my family, friends and spending time at the beach.  Most of my friends I grew up with are scattered all over the country, and a few are abroad. But I think we all agree that no matter where we go or what beaches we visit, we love the ones at home the most.  I think it's the nostalgia of these places that I love.


Another great thing about the summer, and Toronto, is the Island. I love visiting the Island. This summer I was lucky since I got to see two amazing concerts there. Earlier in the summer I got to see Broken Social Scene and Pavement, and about a month ago I had the absolute pleasure of seeing the Arcade Fire.

Shows on Toronto Island are always fun. I think my favorite part, with the exception of the great bands, is taking the ferry there and back. But I must admit, I do not love waiting in line for the ferry.

I did a lot more this summer then hang at the beach and see great bands: I spent time with friends and family; visited some great patios; and, made a big move. As fall fast approaches and we get back in the swing of short days and cools nights, I will reflect about the summer and anticipate the next.