Last night, a few hundred people attended the official launch party for My EventSuite, which is a brand new service that looks to help event planners organize events faster and more efficiently.  As explained on the site:

My EventSuite is a fresh, dynamic web service that is committed to providing the most comprehensive and trustworthy event planning service available anywhere. Use My EventSuite to get quotes from the most recommended professionals in Toronto, and to keep all your research and decisions organized in one place. Our budget tools and comprehensive calendar will help keep your event organized, while our resourceful blog will provide you with creative inspiration and sound event planning advice. Your FREE My EventSuite account also lets you create a personalized website for your event.

Smart idea, and could come in handle next time you are planning an event and need a “one-stop” resource for venues, staff or a DJ.

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Moms – in so many ways we would be nothing with out them!  In honour of that special woman in everyone life, Walmart Canada has launched the Mom of the Year Award, a new annual national award program designed to celebrate the enormous contribution moms make as role models and integral members of the community.

Starting May 10, 2012, all Canadians are encouraged to visit www.momoftheyear.ca to nominate the important women in their lives by sharing inspirational stories about their journeys as moms.

They have also enlisted the help of three Canadian moms, including Olympic champion and women’s hockey icon Hayley Wickenheiser, Editor-in-Chief of Today’s Parent Karine Ewart and celebrated opera singer Natalie Choquette, who will take part in the program as part of the Selection Committee. They will work alongside two Walmart Canada moms, President and CEO Shelley Broader, and Senior Vice President of Marketing Emma Fox, to choose eight finalists.

The eight finalists will be flown to Toronto in the fall for a day of pampering, a photo shoot and an awards gala where the Mom of the Year Award recipient will be announced. The recipient will receive $100,000 for donation to a Canadian charity or cause of her choice, plus an additional $10,000 to spend on herself. All other finalists will receive $10,000 and an additional $10,000 each for donation.

“We’re excited about launching this new program that celebrates the achievements of everyday moms and gives those who care about the women in their lives a way to show their appreciation for them,” says Emma Fox, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Walmart Canada. “As a brand that is consistently in conversation with moms, we know and understand all that they do every day for their families.”

Being a Mom Is A One Of The Toughest Jobs

The retailer enlisted Leger Marketing for survey and found that more than 80 per cent of Canadians think that being a mom is one of the toughest jobs there is. The Walmart Canada Mom of the Year Award aims to create a dynamic, annual appreciation program that gives thanks to the women who spend their lives giving to others.

The Mom of the Year Award marketing campaign is a comprehensive program with a number of activations beginning in May to coincide with Mother’s Day and will run until the event’s awards gala scheduled for late September.

Program elements include digital media and a newly developed microsite, created by Twist Image; paid print and broadcast advertising, with creative development, program strategy and design by JWT, and media buying by Mindshare; a national public relations program, including media tours with the award program Selection Committee members led by APEX Public Relations Inc., supported by Morin Relations Publiques in the Quebec market; a blogger outreach program with Mom Central; and event development and execution from TraffikGroup.

Highlights of the advertising buy include 30-second spots that will begin airing in May, integrated buys with The Marilyn Denis Show, and print buys with key outlets including Today’s Parent, Chatelaine and Enfants QC.

Digital Agency: Twitst Image
Print & Broadcast Agency: JWT
Media Buying: Mindshare
Public Relations: APEX Public Relations

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With a packed house last week, the Oliver & Bonacini team organized a launch event for the Arcadian Court. Toronto’s Strategic Objectices was also on hand to handle media relations.

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As an agency, you know that it can be a “Dog eat dog world” when you are competing for a new piece of business, AMC wanted to give the world a behind the scenes look of this tough process.   The network launched a new series called “The Pitch,” which gives viewers a glimpse into the process of pitching for new agency business.  A few other media organizations such as AdAge and Toronto Star are picking up on the buzz and covered the show and agencies involved in it.   Readers of PR In Canada and those who pitch us will know that we always try to be impartial and not become a promotion piece for any one organization but we couldn’t hold back and share the news that Toronto’s The Hive has been selected as the only Canadian agency to be selected for the show.  This is great for the team at The Hive who has traditionally been quiet but I have a feeling they are going to start being a lot more vocal in the coming months, especially with their newest hire.

Here is a trailer of the show, if you watch closely you will see bit of The Hive team in the video:

To help celebrate this moment in the company’s history, they will be hosting a party on Monday, May 7th, during the event attendees will get an opportunity to check out their episode, oh and we have a few passes to get you in the door. (send us a note and we’ll give you the details).

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Toronto’s APEX Public Relations recently made a few new hires as the agency looks to strength their management team with the addition of Ted Griffith and Karen Krugel.

Ted Griffith has joined the agency as a Senior Vice President, he brings 30 years of communications experience to APEX. He has counselled senior executives and brands in almost every industry — from sports management and public affairs to energy and professional services. Most recently, he worked with electric utilities, healthcare, NGOs, aboriginal affairs and an abundance of issues management across the private and public sector. Griffith is also a published novelist.

Karen Krugel has been brought on board as Vice President and will focus on their consumer practice, prior to joining was with Praxis. Her past clients represent big names in industries such as consumer packaged goods, luxury lifestyle products, hospitality, entertainment, alcohol and NGOs. She has worked with PepsiCo Canada, Quaker, All-Clad, Sub-Zero and Wolf, SIR Corp restaurants, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and The Waldorf-Astoria to name a few. Having lived her own version of Kitchen Confidential, Karen will lead the John Frieda, Jergens, Biore, Visit Orlando and Yellow Tail accounts at APEX.

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A number of Toronto’s communications and public relations professionals gathered last night at the at Bram & Bluma Appel Salon to celebrate the work that has been put into creating those amazing campaigns that have dazzled us for the last year. The event was none other than the 2012 CPRS ACE Awards held by the Canadian Public Relations Society Toronto (CPRS Toronto).  Top honors for the night went to went GolinHarris as they took home PR Campaign of the Year  for the work they they did on the McHappy Day 2011 campaign. NATIONAL Public Relations took home the title of Best Creative PR Campaign for Harlequin Office for the Preservation of the Kiss. 

Our Look Back At Past ACE Awards:

2011 ACE Awards WINNERS and the  Photo Gallery

2010  ACE Awards Winners and the Video Gallery

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As we promised, we’ll keep you posted on new venues opening, as communications and PR professionals you are often called upon to book venues for your client events. Here is our second invitation for you, you MUST RSVP to attend.
The Arcadian Court invites you experience this versatile event venue in the heart of downtown, Toronto.

Where: Stirling Room, 401 Bay Street Simpson Tower, 8th Floor Toronto(MAP)

When: Tuesday, May 1, 6 – 10 PM EST

RSVP: You must RSVP for this event, use the form below.

UPDATE: RSVP’s for this event is now closed.

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With a little over a year as the President of High Road Communications, Annalise Coady said good-bye to the team recently as she has moved on to new ventures.  Annalise makes the third person to take the President’s chair at the Toronto-based public relations agency.  While under her watch the agency did grow and win a few new clients. From what we’ve gather so far there will be no immediate replacement for Annalise, instead the role will be filled by their VPs.

We will keep you posted on the full story unfolds.

UPDATE:  High Road Communications will now be run by the Senior leadership team which includes Sarah Spence, Hugh Scholey and Katherine Fletcher

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Regus, the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces, has selected Venture Communications as its public relations agency of record in Canada.   As part of the assignment, Venture will provide strategic PR counsel and media relations expertise to educate companies about the benefits of a new way to work that offers total flexibility, freedom and support.

“We selected Venture because they grasped the uniqueness of Regus’ flexible work model and quickly understood our marketing objectives and opportunities for growth in Canada,” said Wes Lenci, vice president, Regus Canada. “With Venture as our partner, we will be relying on their expertise to develop a localized campaign that elevates our visibility in Canada and generates media coverage.”

The Regus’ products and services range from fully equipped offices, virtual offices and business lounges to professional meeting rooms, video communication studios and administrative staff.

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As they move closer to the completion additional promotions and new hires in their Ottawa office, today Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) officially opened an office in Regina, Sask.  Their Regina office will focus on key areas of natural resources, energy, environment, transportation, health and trade.

“Saskatchewan has grown into a real engine of the Canadian economy and that makes it a natural location for our newest office,” said Mike Coates, President and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies in Canada. “Opening an office in Regina is a key part of our national growth plan and we look forward to being part of the Saskatchewan business community in the long-term.”

The new office will be led by Lance Donison who joined H+K in 2011.

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