“We’ve always aimed to set industry standards for exceptional client work, recognition of team members, and commitment to our community.  Focusing on these priorities has served our business well,” says Bruce MacLellan, President.  “We celebrate this anniversary with our communications companies achieving 15 consecutive years of revenue growth to reach $21 million annually in 2009 – proof our approach resonates with the market.”

Major Accomplishment For Environics Communications

• First Canadian-owned public relations agency to open a U.S. Office (1995) – today the US operations contributes approximately 20% of overall revenue
• Free For All Marketing (1999) – founded this sampling and event marketing agency to deliver experiential marketing
• Ignite Excellence (2003) – co-founded this training and development company specializing in influential verbal and kinetic communications
• Sequentia Environics (2008) – investment and partnership with this company to enhance digital services, such as social media and online communities

Environics Communications has a roster of clients which include companies such as: Nestlé Canada, Workopolis, eBay Canada, The Home Depot, GlaxoSmithKline, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Queen’s School of Business, MasterCard Canada, WWF and SkyTerra; which has resulted in well over 150 public relations industry awards over the years.

The company also has another division, Environics Research Group which is a applies a philosophy of research-driven strategy and commitment to measurement.

Having spent time with Bruce and several team members of Environics over the years I can understand why people enjoy working for the company and companies are proud to be their client.

Erin Hardy has been promoted to Vice President and Creative Director, and will act as the agency’s guru of creativity, maintaining and growing APEX’s strong reputation among consumer clients. Ken Evans has been named Senior Vice President and will lead the charge in overseeing the agency’s corporate accounts while heading up its communications training practice. Both Erin and Ken are APEX’s longegest serving staff members.

Scott MacFadyen who was previously an Account Director has now been named Vice President and will continue in the firm’s technology practice.

“Linda has been an invaluable asset to our team and is loved by her clients for her energy, enthusiasm and dedication to exceeding their expectations,” said McNamara. “These qualities make her a natural choice for the role of President and I am certain she will further strengthen the synergies among our practices and the dedication and commitment of APEX’s staff.”

Pat will become CEO of APEX Public Relations and will also be expanding the company’s philanthropy efforts with the launch of a new non-profit micro-financing firm that will help small businesses get off the ground.

During his two decades with the Toronto Star, Walker was one of the leading political journalists in Canada. Having held bureau chief positions at Queen’s Park, Parliament Hill and Washington, D.C., during President George W. Bush’s first term, Walker covered some of the most controversial issues affecting Canadians. More recently, he has been the senior advisor to some of Canada’s most respected business leaders.

“From the feedback that we’ve received from our partners, CMO’s, industry leaders and investors, and our own recent successes, it is clear that a core part of our go-forward strategy needs to incorporate the use of data, analytics and technology,” said Miles Nadal, Chairman and CEO, MDC Partners. “This will allow our companies to derive deep consumer insights and strategies to help clients better target and measure marketing programs across multiple channels of engagement. Accordingly, I am pleased to announce the formation of MDC Partners Consumer Insights Group, which will be led by Chris McDonald.”

Former Abacus Executive Vice President and GM has been tapped to lead the new group.

Dell will also leverage and integrate the campaign with their existing Small and Medium Business Solutions Center and social media platforms including Direct2Dell and Facebook; as well a number of small business events that are scheduled around the world.

“Dell has always believed that it takes an extraordinary person to launch and run a business. We understand the potential of medium and small businesses to transform the global economy and the Take Your Own Path campaign underscores Dell’s commitment to supporting individuals with a big idea,” said Paul-Henri Ferrand, VP of global marketing for Dell Small and Medium Business. “Today, Dell celebrates the many achievers and dreamers who dare to forge ahead in their own way with a view of how they could change the world, pushing boundaries and ultimately, leading the global economic recovery.”

Dell has also been on of the most successful companies globally to leverage social networking site Twitter.

Canadian results from Edelman goodpurpose Study

Here in Canada, over half (58 percent) expect brands today to support a good cause and 89 percent would be willing to change consumption habits if it could help make the world a better place to live.

Other stats include:

• Three times as many people (75 percent) would rather drive a hybrid car than a luxury car (25 percent)
• Four out of five (83 percent) Canadians would prefer to live in an eco-friendly house than merely a big house (17 percent)
• Sixty-nine percent of people also now feel that it’s becoming more unacceptable not to make noticeable efforts to show concern for the environment and live a healthy lifestyle
• 87 percent of Canadian respondents (compared to 69 percent globally) would rather have a brand that supports the livelihood of local producers than a designer brand (13 percent).

“Consumers are now wearing, driving, eating, and living their social purpose, as sustained engagement with good causes becomes a new criterion for social status and good social behavior,” said Lisa Kimmel, General Manager, Edelman Toronto. “This gives companies and brands that become associated with a positive and worthy cause an opportunity to build long-term relationships with consumers that, in turn, allow consumers to feel valuable within their communities and social sets.”

Another difference with Canadians is the level that they want to give back, with 49% who supported good causes over the past year by supporting charities and nonprofit organizations

Being An Authentic Brand Is The New Social King

Looking at the overall results it shows that consumers across the world do want brands and companies to make a difference and give them products that will also allow them to make a difference on the planet. While corporate responsibilities programs are good (Edelman does have one), the opportunity ahead for corporations is to create social participation opportunities where consumers can be involved in the process and help to deliver long term benefits. Corporations now more than ever must be authentic in their brand messaging and their products must deliver results that consumers can trust in. Those corporations that do adhere to what consumers want as demonstrated by the survey results have a huge opportunity ahead of them to be  catalyst for social change and win consumers who will be their brand evangelists.

“Companies that respond to rising consumer expectations that they and their brands help make the world a better place will not only survive, but also thrive, in ways their competitors will not,” said Kimmel. “People today are more passionately supportive than ever, yet more demanding and unforgiving, as well.”

Edelman has created a website for the goodpurpose study, www.goodpurposecommunity.com.