Marketing & Creative Jobs in Canada Blog - Part 66

“What is it exactly that you do?” – Marketing disbeliefs inside and outside the company.

Guest post by Isabelle Loiseau, a marketing & communications professional. She has been working in Paris on BtoB and BtoC top of range brands, mainly at advertisers in the paper industry, and worked on awards-winning campaigns. She also writes. Her first short-stories compilation will be published this fall. She is now living in Vancouver.

As we live in a world of marketing and advertising, it is a business area that either looks easy to some people or upsets others.

As I was talking to a friend the other day, trying to cheer him up with issues he was going through, he gave me a “please stop with your marketing, you just sound like a brand signature” . That did not offend me. As I reminded him, Nike’s “just do it” or Apple’s “think different” are great inspirational brand signatures that actually talk to a lot of people. And there is nothing to be ashamed of.

As we live in a world of marketing and advertising, it is a business area that either looks easy to some people or upsets others. It’s the same inside a company where employees outside of the marketing department seem to always have an opinion on the latest campaign of a product launch and question the choices made on the design, the signature, even the distribution network. The marketing principles are a blur to a lot of people from other departments and I always find it useful to explain the context of a campaign to the next door office colleagues whether they work for the legal or accounting department and actually ask me “what is it exactly that I do?” Continue reading

Fresh Jobs This Week (June 19th, 2012) – Canadian Jobs in Online Marketing, Web Design, and More!

Here’s the round up of some of the hottest Marketing, Design, and Creative Gigs from all around Canada:

Manager of Digital Communications in Toronto with Sun Life Financial
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/manager-digital-communications-toronto

Brand Manager in Burnaby, BC with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/brand-manager-contract-burnaby-bc

Marketing Communications Coordinator in Burnaby, BC with Dali Wireless
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/marketing-communications-coordinator-burnaby-bc

Inside Digital Media Sales in Toronto with MultiView
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/inside-digital-media-sales-toronto-on

Director of Marketing Services in Brampton, ON with Loblaw
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/director-marketing-services-brampton-ontario

Intermediate Web Designer in Vancouver with Glacier Media
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/intermediate-web-designer-vancouver

Digital Strategist in Vancouver with Station X
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/digital-strategist-vancouver-coal-harbour

Social Media and Design Coordinator in Vancouver
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/social-media-and-design-coordinator-vancouver-bc

Ron Bremner, CEO at UNISYNC and the owner of Gold Medal Consulting Group

Ron Bremner is currently the CEO at UNISYNC and the owner of Gold Medal Consulting Group. Ron is known across the country from his 23 years as a broadcaster and his induction to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcast Hall of Fame in 2000. Ron was also the president and CEO of the Calgary Flames.

I had no intention of leaving broadcasting but at end of day, I asked myself: Do I want to look back some day and wonder what it would be like to run an NHL team?

How did you move from being inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of fame straight into the sports industry and then starting your own consulting company? 

Well I was in broadcasting for 25 years, 23 of them in Vancouver. From 1974-1990 I worked with a radio station in Vancouver, starting at sales and moving up to President and General Manager. Out of blue one day back in Ottawa for a new service hearing, I was asked to run BCTV television which was the largest TV station west of Toronto. I then worked there for five years and one day a head hunter in the sports business called and asked if I was interested in a position which several of my colleagues recommended me for. The position was the President of Calgary Flames. I thought about it. I had no intention of leaving broadcasting but at end of day, I asked myself: Do I want to look back some day and wonder what it would be like to run an NHL team? So I ended up in the hockey business for 5 years—it was extremely challenging. The Canadian dollar was worth about 63 cents against the US, and the significance of this is that we pay all our players in US while earning in Canadian. This was one of the reasons why the Quebec and Winnipeg hockey teams had left at the time. There just wasn’t enough revenue to support a team.

My wife and I then took a 2-year sabbatical.  It was a great time in our lives to do all the things that people plan to but never do it until they have 6 months to live. We travelled all over Europe, and after the trip I went back to school and took French immersion at Laval University.

When I came through Toronto, I was introduced to Larry Tanenbaum—a successful businessman who is the Chairman and part owner of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. He offered me a job with Professional Sports Publications in New York so we worked out a deal where 15 days each month I would help run the company down in New York. We then sold it to one of the largest competitors for a very healthy return.

Today I’m undertaking various projects as President of Gold Medal Consulting, where I retain most of the time to mentor and coach company executives.

The challenge is to go into each business to learn a little about the business, and trying to gauge the key people in each company to help them be the best.

Your experiences include President/CEO of BCTV in Vancouver, President/CEO of Calgary Flames, CEO of Professional Sports Publications NY, and Founder of Gold Medal Consulting Group; it seems like you have lead a trail of success since 1990’s.What is by far your proudest moment, and what was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome in any of these jobs?

Well not to be evasive, but each project has its own proud moment for me. They are each like a child and I have a great affinity for them in different ways. I had a special moment with each of them such as in New York City when we sold PSP for great profit, or getting new distribution for our products in the broadcasting digital business. The challenge is to go into each business to learn a little about the business, and trying to gauge the key people in each company to help them be the best. I would never consider myself an expert in any particular business.  My job is to be the captain of the ship and to steer the boat—not to row. The Captain doesn’t tell the cooks how to make good food, or how to work the engine room. The key thing is making sure you have good people in key positions, challenge them, and eventually let them do their job. Continue reading

Fresh Jobs This Week (June 6th, 2012) – Canadian Jobs in Online Marketing, Web Design, and More!

Below is a list of some of the hottest Canadian Creative & Marketing Jobs this week!

Online Marketing Coordinator, Web Design & Marketing Specialist, SEO Specialist in Vancouver with BuildDirect:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/online-marketing-coordinator-vancouver
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/web-design-marketing-specialist-vancouver
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/seo-specialist-vancouver

Digital Marketing Specialist in Burnaby with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/digital-marketing-specialist-burnaby

Web and Graphics Designer in Burnaby with SmarttNet:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/web-and-graphics-designer-burnaby-bc

Affiliate Manager in Winnipeg with Blizzard Interactive:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/affiliate-manager-winnipeg-mb

Digital Product Manager (Food Products) in Toronto with TC Media:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/product-manager-food-toronto-ontario

Graphic designer, Marketing Manager, and Marketing Coordinator 
in Abbotsford with Relevaention Marketing:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/graphic-designer-abbotsford-bc-1
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/marketing-manager-abbotsford-bc
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/marketing-coordinator-abbotsford-bc

 

Taking the Design World By Storm at Age 51!

Tina contacted FreshGigs.ca wanting to share her story about getting into the design world. Here’s her story…

By Tina Spalding

Two years ago I could barely turn a computer on; no, seriously, I didn’t even know what a folder was or how to use one. I had avoided computers like the plague for twenty years, determined to become a fine artist, painter of renown! Well, in the last eighteen months I’ve learned nine computer programs and I can whiz around between Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator like know one’s business! The entire experience has been enlightening, frightening and incredibly empowering….oh yes, I should mention I’m a 51 year old divorced mother of two, confirmed Luddite and technophobe.

It was good art, but it was clear to me that physical galleries were no longer a viable way to make a living. I needed to go digital!

I had been inspired to go back to school by two events. The first, corny as it is, was seeing the movie Avatar. Looking up at that big screen I could only imagine what those artists must have felt seeing their work flying around the world so beautifully! “If I was 20 years younger” I said, “I’d do that!” Compared to 3D digital art, mine looked flat and sterile. I wanted to create these luminous and moving images too!
I wanted to go global!

The second event was sitting in a gallery a couple of summers ago, hour after hour trying to sell art. It was good art, but it was clear to me that physical galleries were no longer a viable way to make a living. I needed to go digital!

A series of synchronous events and an EI claim long forgotten, led me down the path to design school. I qualified for a mature workers retraining program, and after much research, painful delays with student loans, and a whole lot of courage, I went back to school. Continue reading

FreshGigs.ca Now Integrated with SmartRecruiters Recruiting Software Platform


We are happy to announce that FreshGigs.ca is now a featured jobsite that has been integrated into the SmartRecruiters recruiting software platform.

Employers using the SmartRecruiters platform are now able to post their jobs on FreshGigs.ca through the SmartRecruiters website.

SmartRecruiters platform offers free applicant tracking, collaborative recruiting and more to employers. According to SmartRecruiters, over 13,600 businesses use their platform.

FreshGigs.ca is Canada’s leading jobsite specializing in marketing, communications and creative jobs.

Blogging and Social Media Conference: Northern Voice

If you’re in Vancouver (or anywhere close by) on June 15 and 16, 2012 consider joining us at Northern Voice. The Personal Blogging and Social Media Conference is one of Vancouver’s longest running.

The two days are packed with sessions, speakers and networking opportunities.

For a full schedule visit: http://2012.northernvoice.ca/schedule

Here are some highlights:

  • Blaine Cook, one of Twitter‘s first employees, and a one time lead developer of the popular social networking site will look at the Wild Future of the Internet.
  • Members of OpenMedia.ca will show how social media can make it easier to share information on new legislation and tally support for political action.
  • PhotoCamp returns offering creative and focused talks on all aspects of photography for the beginner or the pro. With your personal voice let your picture tell 1,000 words.

FreshGigs.ca is happy to be a sponsor of the conference along with Hootsuite, Chevrolet and Mount Lehman Credit Union.

For more information about Northern Voice, visit http://2012.northernvoice.ca/about

For the latest updates on Northern Voice follow them on Twitter at @northernvoice

 

Fresh Canadian Creative & Marketing Jobs – May 29th, 2012

Here’s a quick round up of some of the hot jobs up on FreshGigs.ca right now!

Web and Graphics Designer in Burnaby with SmarttNet:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/web-and-graphics-designer-burnaby-bc

Affiliate Manager in Winnipeg with Blizzard Interactive:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/affiliate-manager-winnipeg-mb

Digital Product Manager (Food Products) in Toronto with TC Media:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/product-manager-food-toronto-ontario

Graphic designer, Marketing Manager, and Marketing Coordinator
in Abbotsford with Relevaention Marketing:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/graphic-designer-abbotsford-bc-1
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/marketing-manager-abbotsford-bc
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/marketing-coordinator-abbotsford-bc

Interactive Designer in Victoria with Suburbia Advertising:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/interactive-designer-victoria-bc

Sales & Project Coordinator in Burnaby with Indulge Living:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/project-coordinator-vancouver-burnaby

Account Coordinator in Delta, BC with Suburbia Advertising:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/account-coordinator-delta-bc

Interactive Digital Artist in Vanncouver with MacLAREN McCANN creative Agency:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/interactive-digital-artist-vancouver

Digital Art Director in Vancover with DARE Agency:
https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/digital-art-director-vancouver

Marketing Conference: BCAMA Vision 2012 in Review

Leonard Brody

I just got back from the BCAMA Vision Marketing Conference held at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. It was a great event and I thought I would share some of the highlights from it with you.

The day was broken down into talks given by successful marketers from across Canada and the US, including a panel discussion and a comedy break.

Shane Gibson (the event MC), Steve Kim and Lindsay Smith opened up the day with an introduction about the event and this year’s theme: Liquid Content.

Leonard Brody

Leonard is a VC, business executive and author. He gave a great talk looking at the Myth of Generations.

Some key points:

  • 5 year plans suck. Most businesses should be focused on what’s happening within the next 365 days or less.
  • More content is being created now each year than what was created in the last 3000 years combined.
  • People say “humans haven’t changed”. Wrong. Human behaviour has changed.
  • Don’t focus on just the “how” of social media and online activities. Consider the “why” in why are we doing this?
  • The web allows millions to speak to millions at low to no cost.
  • The web destroys the idea that we can “predict the future by looking at the past.”
  • Marketers challenge is that time is shrinking.
  • The next major economic/financial crash will be within 8 years of 2008.
  • By 2015, 50% of all marriages will originate by meeting online.
  • People are more trusting with their virual IDs than they are with their IDs in the physical vs. online world.
  • The notion of ‘retirement’ is no longer valid. People are talking less and less about it.
  • Education needs to shift. 36% of US students will drop out of school this year.
  • Digging into the data organizations have is a big opportunity.
  • Social media is not marketing, it is all about community.
  • Customer service will take over sales as a high-paid job position.

Marketing is everything you do not see, it’s what you feel.”

Terry McBride

Terry is the CEO of Nettwerk Music and YYoga. He calmed the room down by dicussing the Fluidity of Music to Yoga and how emotions are connected to brands. Continue reading

Hot Canadian Marketing & Creative Jobs – This Week, May 17th, 2012

Here’s a few of the hottest Canadian Marketing and Creative jobs from FreshGigs.ca this week!

Interactive Digital Artist in Vancouver with MacLAREN McCANN:
Apply here: https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/interactive-digital-artist-vancouver

Digital Art Director in Vancouver with DARE Digital Agency, very hot gig!
Apply here: https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/digital-art-director-vancouver

Manager of Digital Marketing in Brampton, Ontario with Loblaw Companies Ltd.
Apply here: https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/manager-digital-marketing-month-contract-brampton-on

Marketing Manager in West Vancouver with The Walker Group:
Apply here: https://www.freshgigs.ca/jobs/marketing-manager-west-vancouver