Blitz Magazine

New report identifies the changing shopping behaviour of Canadians—and suggests how retailers can adapt - Deborah Aarts || February 26, 2014 Shoppers today aren't just pleased to shop with retailers who offer several ways to buy stuff—they expect it. In fact, former nice-to-haves (like an easy-to-access storefront, a ecommerce-enabled website and a mobile shopping app) are now becoming table stakes for Canadian store operators. This is one of the key takeaways of a new survey of retail expectations conducted by PwC. The survey polled more than 15,000 consumers (located in Canada and around the world) to get a sense of what, exactly, today's shopper wants when opening his or her wallet. According to a report detailing the research, "the bar is now much higher for retailers with world-class aspirations." This is not exactly news to any retailer struggling to compete in 2014. Changing customer expectations have made it extremely difficult for store operator

How often do you hear your clients talk about facebook advertising.  Often enough to invest 9 minutes to learn more about it?   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVfHeWTKjag   According to the experiments and data in this video it is deeply flawed.  I’m not saying we hit the streets damning facebook, but this is knowledge worth having.  Once you understand the data, you can respond to your client with questions like “how has your engagement level on facebook changed since you started advertising?”  Just asking the question will make them think, and hopefully act, positioning you as a trusted advisor.

Corus Entertainment’s 102.1 the Edge (CFNY-FM) is bringing back the music that changed the face of radio in the late ‘70s and ‘80s with a weekly special celebrating The Spirit of Radio. Beginning March 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Spirit of Radio Sunday will be hosted by Scot Turner and will feature the artists that defined the alternative rock format such as U2, The Police, Depeche Mode, New Order, Talking Heads, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, OMD, The Smiths, The Cure and Tears for Fears. “Spirit of Radio Sunday will celebrate CFNY’s legacy as the only station that showcased emerging artists during the rise of new wave, punk and alternative music,” said Blair Bartrem, Brand Director, 102.1 the Edge. “We are thrilled to have former on-air personality Scot Turner host the show, taking our listeners back to CFNY’s roots.” Turner was a DJ on CFNY from 1984 to 1992 where he created and hosted/co-hosted various feature shows including Live In Toronto and The Thursday Thirty. Currently

  WHAT:              The Toronto Maple Leafs and Sport Chek will host celebration of hockey that will surprise a local minor league hockey team with the chance to live like a pro.  Minor bantam AA team, Ted Reeve Thunder was randomly selected from the Sport Chek Team Assist program and will learn from past and present Leafs about what it takes to be a professional hockey player.                           The day will start at the newly-renovated Greenwood Park outdoor rink with Ted Reeve Thunder players participating in the Train like a Pro session with Leafs legend Wendel Clark.  They will then have the opportunity to watch and learn from select members of the current Toronto Maple Leaf roster as they host an outdoor practice.                           Greenwood Park is a recent recipient of the $300,000 investment from the MLSE Foundation.  Last year, the City of Toronto with support of the MLSE Foundation completed a renovation that saw significant upgrades to t

The if-you-build-it-they-will-come cliché may be true, eventually, for local radio’s digital properties. At least if advertisers follow their own thinking. Three-quarters of national marketers say local websites are “very important or essential” to their marketing plans, yet only 22% of them say they also make buying local websites a priority. That digital disconnect is uncovered by the online marketing firm Balihoo, which also finds that most national brands are ramping up their local online buys in 2014. “Research shows that consumers prefer buying products and services in their local markets,” Balihoo VP of marketing Susan Tormollen says. Even more critically, she says the research shows that buying digital locally “leads to increased returns on a national brand’s ability to capture consumers and direct them to a desired place of purchase.” Balihoo’s self-described “micro-study” of 185 of its corporate clients found that 34% expect to spend more on local marketing this year, wh

Publishing is changing right before our eyes.  The Toronto Star and Metroland have combined to create a group that will service all facets of the Toronto Star.  This is an incredible move that shows how media is becoming more of a commoditity to be managed by the largest companies in the country.  Here is the letter that Sandy Muir released to the media and advertisers.   Last November, we informed you of our decision to outsource the Toronto Star’s advertising sales function to Metro English Canada in the first quarter of 2014. At the time of the announcement, Star Publisher and Star Media Group President John Cruickshank stated that this change will better position the Star and Metro as leading providers in Canada of effective, compelling and distinctive marketing solutions.  It will provide marketers with access to the audiences of both brands through a single point of contact.  We are very pleased to report that the transition of the Star’s advertising sales work to Metro