David Brown, Author at

COVID-19, New creative

Hard hit ADCC holding an ‘All-Nighter’ to stay alive

Two iconic Canadian TV ads get a rewrite for the campaign to save Advertising & Design Club of Canada.

Sink or Swim

Sink or Swim: The value of vacation time in a highly unusual summer

Advice to ensure reluctant staff take holidays at a time when R&R is more important than ever.

Agency, Diversity

ICA introduces a new training program to fight racism

The Institute of Communication Agencies says awards show budgets can be used to change the industry.

Brands, New creative

Moosehead focuses on its shared Canadian values

Creative by King Ursa uses simple digital executions to talk about Canadian qualities, like giving away your last beer.

Brands, New creative

Who do you call when you catch Big Foot, and other 4:20-type thoughts from Oh Henry

When COVID shut down a planned video shoot, Oh Henry and Anomaly pivoted to animation.

Brands, New creative

Tim Hortons releases a ‘welcome back’ spot as lockdowns are lifted

“Come as You Are” shows people being welcomed back to Tim Hortons after a rough few months.

Awards

Five new Legends inducted into Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends

The inductees are Joe Jackman, Nancy Marcus, Morris Saffer, Brian Scudamore and Anthony von Mandl.

Brands, New creative

With Tokyo Olympics on hold, Hudson’s Bay creates its own games

The official outfitter of Team Canada made up its own lighthearted events for any Canadian to compete in for Canada Day.

Agency

Frank Palmer returns to DDB as Brent Choi resigns

Choi joined the agency as its first CEO/CCO last year. ‘I’m thankful for the opportunity DDB gave me,’ he says.

Brands, New creative

Molson invites competitors to make ‘most Canadian case of beer’ ever (no Budweiser allowed)

For Canada Day, Molson campaign delivers a cheeky reminder that Canada’s most popular beer isn’t Canadian—and it should be.

Awards

Moldy Whopper wins Best of Show at One Show, while FCB and BBDO Canada win again

Canada ‘punches above its weight creatively,’ says FCB’s chief creative officer, Nancy Crimi-Lamanna, of Best of Discipline accolades.

Agency, Brands

It’ll be Heineken at all Publicis Canada parties (and virtual happy hours) from now on

It is the lead agency for the beer brand in multiple markets around the world.

Awards

Canada’s One Show performance jumps from four Golds in 2019 to 30 this year

FCB, BBDO and FCB/Six lead the way with 11, eight and six Gold Pencils respectively.

The Really Brief

The Really Brief — Week of June 15

Harry Rosen has a new gift set for the times; Tim Hortons introduces “Hero Cups” for front line workers; and a new Calgary beer for Father’s Day.

COVID-19

One director’s personal portrait of life at home during a scary time

Commercial director Jesse Hunt shot “Meet me at the stairs” to show how he and his wife are coping with COVID.

Brands

Canada Post and Shoppers top most trusted brand list during pandemic

University of Victoria research finds Facebook in last spot on the listing of 105 brands.

Brands, New creative

Canada Life’s advice: Listen to the experts

New campaign uses current and historical footage to demonstrate the importance of experts through the years.

Guest Column

The rise of TikTok during COVID-19

TikTok’s popularity has reached a new level during the pandemic, but brands have to play differently than with the OG platforms.

Agency, Diversity

Dr. Elizabeth Tunstall on how to make advertising a safer space for Black people

“There’s a psychological gap that you have to get over to decide that advertising is the place in which you belong.”