A poorly-chosen menu and questionable marketing led to a leadership shakeup. Innovation through trial speeds up change. But successive failures cast doubt
Tim Hortons has had what is likely one of the strangest years in its history. Most of the iconic chain’s decisions in recent months have been inexplicable. Canadians have been left scratching their heads. Take the Beyond Meat burger as an example. Tim Hortons took this well-promoted plant-based item off its menu in September 2019,…
That a guy nicknamed Elvis the Pelvis had tackled sacred songs was offensive and sacrilegious to many. But it was perfect marketing
Teenagers in the 1950s couldn’t escape the music of their parents. Despite radio’s new-fangled Top 40 and the attendant infiltration of rock ’n’ roll, the sounds of the past were all around. This was particularly the case for Christmas songs. But things began to change in late October 1957, thanks to Elvis Presley announcing the…
Only half of small businesses in Canada survive their first five years. Digital tools are critical to their success
Social media levels the playing field for Canadian small businesses and unlocks economic growth, says new research revealed Tuesday by Facebook Canada. The report, Empowered In The Digital Age: Leveling the Playing Field For Canadian Small Business, said only half of small businesses in Canada survive their first five years and accessible digital tools are…
Usain Bolt became the fastest human being ever by eating – wait for it – Chicken McNuggets, not following the latest health care fad
Kicking off her wonderful book from earlier this year, Christie Aschwanden asks a seven-word question that might help us recover some sanity for our hyper-affluent, marketing-mad society. “Do any of these products actually work?” Aschwanden asks in the introduction of Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn From the Strange…
Fifty nine per cent of consumers would rather purchase new products from brands they know and trust
Building a company is hard work, but building a brand is even harder. Brands, after all, have the power to outlive the products and services that hold the company together. Branding is about the beginning-to-end customer experience. It includes everything from your social media presence, customer engagement, content, copywriting, company culture, and graphic elements. The…
Rashmi Aimiuwu talks about how research is increasingly important for shoppers and what Southcentre Mall has done to help
Rashmi Aimiuwu is marketing director at Southcentre Mall. What the new e-commerce tool you’ve introduced for shoppers? Aimiuwu: Search. Find. ShopNOW is an online platform developed by Oxford Properties. It has been recently introduced at some of Canada’s most successful shopping centres – including Calgary’s Southcentre Mall. Search. Find. ShopNOW brings convenience to customers by…
Nicole Langton of LAUNCH talks about how to offer effective project management services and creative marketing strategies
Nicole Langton is principal and launch commander of LAUNCH: Commercial Space Marketing. What is LAUNCH Commercial Space Marketing and what does it do? Langton: LAUNCH is a commercial space marketing firm that works with building owners, landlords, brokers and their leasing teams to offer effective project management services and creative marketing strategies and materials to…
Calgary-based airline WestJet has turned marketing and social media into an art form in recent years with its advertising campaigns that sometimes go viral. On Monday, the company launched its latest campaign focusing on its commitment of treating people like people. "We want the travelling public to know that as we become a global network…
Increase your average sale by getting customers who are already purchasing from you to buy a bit more and watch your sales go up with little effort or cost
My wife Margaret is average, so she says. She tells me that she’s average height, age and bone size for a woman. However, I must say as she left the house this morning with her pants riding several inches above her ankles, she didn’t look normal. I know she was thinking that her husband had…
Abagail Vanmerlin of Brand Theory talks about why encapsulating the culture, values and long-range vision of a company is so important
Abagail Vanmerlin is owner at Brand Theory Inc. What is Brand Theory and what does it do? Vanmerlin: We are a full-service creative agency specializing in the strategic branding of mid-to-large business-to-business organizations. By full service, I mean that we offer a suite of brand deliverables which can be anything from interactive and responsive website…
Tim Hortons has had what is likely one of the strangest years in its history. Most of the iconic chain’s decisions in recent months have been inexplicable. Canadians have been left scratching their heads. Take the Beyond Meat burger as an example. Tim Hortons took this well-promoted plant-based item off its menu in September 2019,…
