OK&D News & Views

Driven to Quit Challenge Winners Announced!

2010-05-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

After leaving the press conference where the D2Q team announced all the prize winners from the 2010 challenge, I had a few minutes to reflect on the whole campaign, and most importantly, what it achieved.

Normally we’d measure the success of a campaign based on how many people visited our website (115,000), how many people signed up for what we are offering (28,795) and how it compared to last year (2010 was the best year in the history of the Challenge).

However on this day, I had the opportunity to talk with some of the winners, hear their stories about quitting and the effect it will have on their families and lives, and see how proud they are of becoming smoke-free.

It is always rewarding to put on a successful campaign, but the extra reward today was seeing the real and positive effects first hand. Congratulations to Lisa McGee and all the other prize winners!

http://www.driventoquit.ca/

The Great African Adventure in Ontario

2010-05-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

Despite signs of economic recovery, tourism industry pundits are predicting that many families will be staying closer to home again this summer. To appeal to Staycationers, OK&D has developed packages for our tourism clients that are more regionally targeted, as well as targeting promotions into the US border states. "One Tank Getaway", a Buffalo radio promotion and "All in a Day's Drive", running in Rochester for OK&D client, African Lion Safari, will literally help drive visitors to the Safari .

The Safari is also a partner, along with the Art Gallery of Hamilton in Tourism Hamilton's "Great African Adventure" package. Two different packages are available; one for families and another for couples, that include accommodation and admission, in partnership with Hamilton hotels; Courtyard by Marriott and Sheraton Hamilton.

Visitors will enjoy an African-themed vacation as the AGH presents their Vital Africa exhibition of African art and culture, along with a trip to African Lion Safari. Beyond their iconic Pride of Lions, the Safari features many other exotic African birds and animals amongst their 1000+ collection of wild creatures.

Hamilton is also celebrating another link to its African heritage this summer, with the 175th Anniversary of Stewart Memorial Church. Founded in 1835 and born out of the struggle for freedom from slavery, Stewart Memorial has planned events with the Gallery, so visitors can experience many facets of African culture.

Overnight packages begin at only $187 and offer outstanding value for budget-challenged travelers looking for a great getaway close to home.
www.tourismhamilton.com

The Emperor has Virtual Clothes

2010-05-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

I've noticed that many of our agency competitors have virtually morphed overnight (pun intended) from fully-integrated agencies to digital/social marketing specialists. This transformation reminds me of all the lemmings in the late 80's that preached the gospel of direct marketing, while predicting the demise of all other media. Or, the dot-com start-ups dismissing "brick & mortar retailers" as passe and in the process raising millions of $'s for virtual online business models that virtually never existed.

Social and digital media are reshaping the marketing world at an exponential rate. OK&D believes that this change has to be managed within a broader marketing context. Strong brand positioning and consistent communications still resonate in a social media environment, albeit at a much more personal level. While there are notable exceptions, social media should typically be employed after other core campaign elements are in place, including a good website.

OK&D's approach is to help marketers speak with "one voice" across all marketing channels. This ensures continuity of message and is more cost effective. We've formed strategic alliances with specialist firms like Herd the Noise to monitor social media activity and mobile specialists MyThum, to take advantage of emerging PDA marketing opportunities. Our clients' social media marketing is built from a clear understanding of what is being said about them and where it is being said. Many of our clients' digital/social media programs have grown organically from long-established programs launched through other media.

Arla Foods, manufacturers of the Tre Stelle and Rosenborg-Castello cheese brands, are now more closely connected with Canadian cheese lovers, who initially subscribed to Arla's Melt and Blue Note print magazines, migrating to online versions and now fully engaged in recipe sharing, contests and consumer reviews. The Canadian Cancer Society achieved a record number of registrations for their Driven to Quit smoking cessation program with presence on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Email registrants were encouraged to "stay the course" through ongoing online contact. Tourism Hamilton recently launched their new website with multiple blogs, visitor reviews, shared content and interactive maps.

Given the rapid growth of digital and social media, it's become fashionable to predict the immiment demise of other media such as newspapers, radio and even television But for the forseeable future, each of these mediums still delivers broad audiences and powerful brand-building impact. OK&D can help you stay true to your brand, while broadening your marketing efforts with strategic use of social/digital media. Your "one voice" will resonate more powerfully with consumers on many levels.

African Lion Safari receives "highest click through" on Attractions Ontario website

2008-10-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

Capitalizing on the "strength and recognition" of the African Lion Safari brand, OK&D created a dynamic on-line banner ad promoting the Safari on the Attractions Ontario website.

Attractions Ontario confirmed that the Safari ad generated the highest click-through rate of any of the featured Ontario attractions...more than 4x the click-throughs of the second highest performing ad.

OK&D buys into Amedius Canada

2008-10-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

OK&D have acquired an interest in Amedius Canada Inc., a leader in web-based, channel marketing solutions. Amedius Canada President, Dan Miller, will continue to run Amedius and oversee the company's key accounts including; Hbc, Assante Wealth Management, VON Canada and the Government of Alberta. Miller will also assume a new business and senior management role with OK&D, as Vice President of Integrated Services.

Amedius Canada Inc. (www.amedius.com) is the exclusive Canadian licensee of the US based MediaBuilder suite of marketing technology solutions. Amedius works with national clients that have multiple offices, franchisees, distributors, agents or resellers across the country that require customized advertising and marketing for their local markets.

2008 Close to Our Hearts Gala

2008-05-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

On behalf of The Carpenter Hospice Chair, David MacPhee, hospice staff, gala volunteers and myself, thank you for helping make the 2008 Close to Our Hearts Gala such an incredible success.

Heather Lareau, 2008 Gala Chair

Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships

2008-03-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

With the 2008 National Championships at Deerhurst and the Winnipeg Regional Qualifier Tournament successfully behind them, OK&D event affiliate-Drive Marketing, is already laying the groundwork for the 2009 season. Attendance, sponsorship and media interest continue to build and Drive's approach to Pond Hockey is starting to garner international attention. Here's what some of the players have to say about the event...

"Thanks again for everything. Walking down to the ice on Friday night had to be one of the coolest sights I've ever seen." Nick Allen (Classless All-Stars)

"I have been involved in a lot of different events but nothing comes close to THE POND!!! First class on everything, organization, volunteers, accommodations & the pads. 7hr ride home was all about game plans for next year's run at the HARD WOOD. Thanks for awesome memories!!! Derek Belanger (Soo Kings)

"The Bruins look forward to participating and interacting with other pond enthusiasts-bar none the best pond hockey experience on the planet"-Kevin Culhane (Barrie Theta TTS Bruins)

Art Gallery of Hamilton's first fashion show

2008-03-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

On behalf of the organizing committee of the Art Gallery of Hamilton's first fashion show, RUNWAY:Live at the AGH, and the 250 guests who attended this sold-out event, please accept our gratitude for the important role you played in the show's success.

We are always grateful for the wonderful design support we receive from our creative friends at OK&D. The tickets, programmes and advertising materials all looked great, and I know helped contribute to the excitement around our sold-out fashion show.

Thank you again for your generous support.

Louise Dompierre
President and C.E.O.
Art Gallery of Hamilton

Mark Preece Family House

2008-03-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

I send a sincere thank you to the OK&D Marketing Group for the work you have generously done on behalf of the Mark Preece Family House. The new pamphlet really exemplifies our story and its professional, creative and artistic appearance sets the tone to attract the interest of our supporters and prospective donors.

Our sincere appreciation to all at OK&D for lending a hand; your in-kind donation also helps give us leverage when we are seeking community grants and means a lot to us.

Best regards,

Elaine Scrivener,CFRE
Executive Director
Mark Preece Family House

Welcome to our Blog

2007-05-31T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is where we will post all of our latest news. Check back often.