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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

Guest Column By Corey Way

6-second ads and the ‘Death of Advertising’

Maybe no one likes ads, but everyone likes content that speaks to their likes and interests, says COREY WAY

COVID-19, Guest Column

Ego vs. COVID: Is creative work without awards enough?

Creatives may be unsure about entering awards right now, but once the crisis passes, awards will be as coveted as ever, says BRIAN HOWLETT

COVID-19, Guest Column

It’s not always easy, but let’s focus on the good in these difficult times

Choose positivity and good energy to counter the anger and fear that grows with isolation, says Stephen Brown

Guest Column

Crisis is the mother of community

Gratitude, mutual respect and trust all grow when we share the same fears and anxieties, says Patrick Gladney.

COVID-19, Guest Column

Marketing in an era of profound uncertainty

Brands have a role to play, but it may not be the role many are thinking of, says MARK TOMBLIN

COVID-19

Managing anxiety during COVID-19: a Q&A from nabs

With anxiety levels rising during the COVID-19 outbreak, nabs is working to provide support for those in the industry.

Guest Column

Props to the real risk takers

Since so much award show hardware goes to non-profits, ANGUS TUCKER wanted to recognize four campaigns for commercial brands.

Guest Column

The value of creative partnership

Ian Mirlin on the very special chemistry that comes when two creative minds come together in just the right way.

Brands, Guest Column

The two most important charts in marketing—and why they’re more important than ever

Marketers’ continue to pursue short-term activation at the expense of future brand health says MARK TOMBLIN.

Guest Column

Crunching the numbers on BK’s Mouldy Whopper. It was a creative gambit that worked

In competitive categories, ‘moonshot’ creative concepts can be one of the few avenues for meaningful growth.

Brands

Are you having a laugh? A scientific (and subjective) review of the Super Bowl’s comedic ads

Brainsights’ Kevin Keane and humorist Sandy Marshall tackle four of the big game’s funny spots.