Why She Hasn't Blogged

Ok well I've been really really really really caught up in other things this past year so my hiaitus has lasted longer than I expected. I hope you got to enjoy my InspiraLounge posts while I blogged about advertising!

I will have an official re-launch of this blog in May... with all the bells and whistles!

See you soon :)

TBWA pirates re-claim their land!

TBWA has been in this building at 10 Lower Spadina for 25 years, and for 25 years, their pirates flag has been waving high out front. But this year, the Turish Embassy has moved into the building... and we came to work after the Christmas break to find our flag had been taken down (and torn in the process *gasp*), and the Turkish flag was up! Big no no for these 25 year tenants. So the building manager promised TBWA a bigger better pole (or just another pole it's kind of fuzzy).

We waited an waited but finally a pole was erected. And as we celebrated the unity and creativity of TBWA/Chiat Day's around the world on Friday afternoon, we all braved the cold to watch out good President Jack raise our brand new, bigger, more colourful flag in a ceremony I'm sure was much better than any Embassy could have thrown.

So much love and culture here... so proud to have been a part of this.

Snowy Beach

Look how beautiful Toronto can be if you look closely at its unique subtleties.

Yes, this is Toronto. And yes, this incredible picture was taken last week. A coworker of mine was walking along Queen's Quay and snapped this photo because the right lighting made this snowy beach appear like the sandy beaches dreams are made of. Pretty sweet if you ask me. Even the frozen water looks like an expensive painting.

Makes me want to wander and discover more gems this city has to offer... who wants to join?

It's Social Media week in Toronto! I've heard this week referred to as the TIFF for tech geeks! This week, all over Toronto, these tech geeks are gathering to attend conferences, seminars, and Q&As with like minded individuals who have found success in Social Media.

This is only the 2nd annual Social Media week (my how quickly we've grown!) and it began as a sister branch to January's Advertising Week.

Obviously, social media has always (ha! as long as it's been a known term at least...) been a source of love and curiosity for me. I wish I could attend more of the events this week, but my day job keeps me away from the daytime events. Fortunately, I received an invitation to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment's Q&A with my friends Gail, Monika and Jon leading the panel at Real Sports.

The talk was called Sports and Social Media: Connecting Fans and Brands. I learned a few important things.. and the subject matter was pretty perfect for my upcoming big presentation to my Gatorade clients... I'll keep you posted!


Follow great MLSE reps:

@GailGabrielle (also @RealSports)
@BigThinkerJon
@LeafSpaceMonika

And all keep tabs on Social Media Week happenings through the hashtag #smwTO and @smwTO

AdBall 2011

What do you get when you give a couple hundred ad-people an invite to a 1940s themed event? Voila!

The fairly pricey ticket to this conclusion to Toronto 5th annual AdWeek bought you entrance to the soiree at Maison Mercer, food samples from some of Toronto's greatest restaurants, access to a limited (but open) bar, whiskey sample stations, and the piece de resistance: a fashion show with models from the industry... perhaps even your agency's president (as in my case)!

All proceeds for this event went to support the local Women in Advertising group. ... and well... I am a woman in advertising so...

I actually received my tickets gratis... thank you, but was so happy to get to meet so many wonderful figures in the industry that I love. From CEOs to AEs to CDs to interns, it was a pleasure to pick the brains of the great minds that make up Advertising in Canada. I say Canada because AdWeek in Toronto has become the hub to which industry insiders flock, when NYC's alternative is still months away. I met people from Montreal, Calgary, and even Vancouver!

I'm grateful for the experience so make sure to send your love to the ICA, Ad Women of Toronto, and of course Toronto Advertising Week 2011 via the links below:

Happy New Year

Wishing you all the love and luck you need in the new year :)