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Brands, Consumer trends

Brands need to shift their focus to e-commerce during COVID crisis: Reprise

Customer demand hasn’t abated, just shifted to online, says Reprise’s VP of digital performance, Kevin Bishop.

Brands

How this Facebook group is a lifeline for anxious agency employees

Toronto Ad Jobs & Networking Group has added 214 new members since the COVID crisis first emerged.

Brands

A coalition of Quebec brands is urging Quebecers to shop locally during COVID crisis

The campaign by lg2 includes 19 brands from 18 companies, each recommending the product of one of their counterparts.

Brands, COVID-19, New creative

Sobeys works with Peter Mansbridge for “One Big Family” ad

The ad is promoting the grocery chain’s newly created Community Action Fund.

Brands

Horizon Media Canada hires Carmen Hunt as SVP of business solutions

She arrives at the independent agency from McDonald’s Canada, where she played a role in the ‘Snapplications’ initiative.

Brands

The Local Collective produces a kid’s book to alleviate stay-at-home boredom

The ABC’s of Imagination is designed to keep kids occupied during the current stay-at-home period.

Media

This is us: COVID crisis leads to a sharp increase in Canadian TV viewing

As expected, daytime viewing and news programming show significant increases from this time last year.

Brands

TD is Canada’s most valuable brand; COVID could erase 16% of Canadian brand value

Brand Finance list of most value brands dominated by banks and telecoms.

Brands

Agency veteran Justin Young brings some stay-at-home cheer with Covid Greetings

All proceeds are going toward the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

Brands, COVID-19

Zulu Alpha Kilo urges Canadians to #StayHome with new campaign

The agency is calling it the most important campaign in its history.

Brands, COVID-19

Inside Subaru Canada’s heartfelt thank you to Canada’s front-line workers

New ad from Zulu Alpha Kilo went from conception to air in just over a week says marketing VP Ted Lalka.

Agency

WPP announces cost-cutting measures in response to COVID crisis

The holding company will cut executive salaries by 20% for three months, and implements a hiring freeze.

Brands

The Really Brief — Week of March 30

Jack Daniels’ new COVID ad; Toronto agency Juliet is paying it forward to local businesses; and DidTheyHelp.com is tracking companies’ response to the crisis.

Consumer trends, COVID-19

Advertising ‘recession’ likely, but V-shaped recovery expected: WARC

Consumers are increasingly purchasing online during the crisis, and it has the potential to become established behaviour.

Agency

Trigger leaders Hardwicke and Blevins buy out Calgary agency

Managing director Geoff Hardwicke and CD Todd Blevins will assume ownership of the 12-person shop.

Agency

Arrivals + Departures creates scholarship fund to honour Noela Costa

Former group account director is remembered for her dedication and positivity, remaining calm and thoughtful no matter what.

Awards, Brands

Petition urges global awards shows to reject COVID-related ads

‘It’s not the Super Bowl, or a new holiday,’ says the introduction on CannesWeNot.com.

Media

Canadian digital consumption spikes, led by music and spiritual content: Comscore

With Canadians staying home, brands have a “significant opportunity” to reach consumers with the right messaging.

Brands, COVID-19

How COVID could lead to new consumer behaviours: Mindshare

From eating and entertainment, to fitness and retail, “there absolutely will be a before and after,” says CSO Sarah Thompson.