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Be careful with those workplace nicknames

New Snickers spot outlines the dangers that come with having secret nicknames for your co-workers.

Technology meets creativity—for good

Technology and creativity are too often used to deliver a fleeting moment of marketing novelty, but this German execution demonstrates their power.

Opinionnation

Much has changed, but the power of real human connection remains

To have value, brands need to provide consumers with something that goes well beyond the transactional, says The Hive’s Rick Shaver.

The Redmond Review

Is it too soon for pandemic jokes?

This is the first of a new regular column that long-time Canadian creative Craig Redmond will be writing for our Monday newsletter.

Guest Column

It’s in the game

With gaming continuing to grow, more brands want to play with their consumers. Ari Elkouby offers four tips for how to play and win.

New creative

Christmas ads that clicked, according to brain science

How Canadians (subconsciously) reacted to holiday ads from around the world

Partner Content

Five tips to set your firm up for financial success in 2021

Things are looking up for 2021, but most firms will need a true financial planning partner to steer through the rough waters ahead.

Consumer trends

How COVID will shape consumer behaviour in 2021

COVID isn’t changing consumer behaviour so much as accelerating underlying trends, says Crop president Alain Giguere. In this special column for The Message, he makes five consumer predictions for the year ahead.

Brands

More Christmas ads that connect

International holiday creative that subconsciously resonates with Canadian consumers.

Opinionnation

We can all use a helping hand, especially during trying times

We’re all struggling to get through the pandemic. But responding to that email or answering that call can go a long way towards helping someone through difficult times, says Kerry Fleiser

Guest Column

We’re all in this together, right?

How brands can take actions to help those hard-hit by the second wave of COVID-19.

Opinionnation

Welcome to the new (old) normal

The pandemic has taught us a lesson not to be forgotten: real brand affinity can come from treating customers like neighbours.

Guest Column by Brent Nelsen

COVID has already changed the agency world, but bigger changes could be coming

The brand challenges presented by the pandemic are complex and solutions will have to go way beyond communications strategies, says Leo Burnett’s Brent Nelsen

Guest Column

Sports is back—that’s good news for fans but great news for broadcasters

Canadian TV advertising fell 45% in the second quarter, with sports accounting for nearly one-third of that loss.

Guest Column by Denise Cole

How people of colour will transform advertising

The future won’t be about ‘unique’ perspectives, but more perspectives, says Juliet’s Denise Cole

Guest Column by Mo Dezyanian

The pandemic provides an important reminder of how advertising can actually help society

Whether we like it or not, we in advertising are the financiers of media, says Mo Dezyanian.

Agency

The ‘troubling’ diversity numbers for Canada’s planners and strategists

An APG salary survey found visible minority planners and strategists are underpaid, and underrepresented at senior levels.

Guest Column by Mark Tomblin

Why brands can—and maybe should—retain their pre-COVID advertising

Orlando Wood provides a clear explanation of how the pandemic is affecting our responses to advertising, says Mark Tomblin

Quarantine Diaries

Quarantine Diaries—Volume 12

Your best (and worst) working from home habits, funniest ads, and your go-to entertainment choices.

Guest Column by Trent Thompson

Now is the time to lead with humanity

When business leaders are honest and open about having tough days in a tough time, they empower employees to absorb their own challenges, get better and move forward, says TRENT THOMPSON