Why do so few companies in Canada actively promote a .ca domain name? Have we no sense of pride? For the record, I have two websites (including talkinghead.ca) that both use Canadian domain names.
You don’t have to look far to find a big company that promotes its .com domain name over a .ca. Shame on the likes of Scotiabank and The Bay. Shame. Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | 
technology | Tagged: .ca, .com, Amazon, Best Buy, Canada, Chapters, domain name, Future Shop, Indigo, marketing, scotiabank, The Bay | 
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Posted by William
A giant steaming coffee cup at Bloor and Church streets in Toronto
I was walking along Bloor Street this morning; I noticed in the distance a giant steaming coffee cup. When I got closer, I noticed a decal on the cup indicating that McDonald’s will be giving away free coffee November 16th-29th between 5:30 and 10:30 AM (breakfast hours).
Given the highly localized marketing effort, let’s presume this offer is only valid at locations in Downtown Toronto until we hear otherwise. Perhaps more advertising will appear closer to the launch date for the offer.
I’m sure the intent of this advertisement was to generate word of mouth which means that I’m falling prey to their marketing objectives by posting this. I also appreciate clever advertising when I see it. Walking past a well-branded steaming cup of coffee early in the morning is a pretty easy message to absorb, even if you’re a zombie like me in the mornings.
The last time McDonald’s ran a free coffee campaign, it actually worked on me. Sometimes I now get coffee with a breakfast meal instead of milk or juice. I normally would not have ordered coffee at McDonald’s but the freebie gave me a chance to try it. It’s not bad. I prefer McDonald’s coffee to Tim Horton’s.
Before you cry “Blasphemy!”, Tim’s coffee really isn’t that good. It’s weak. I prefer to make my own coffee at home with fresh beans, my own grinder and a french press. If I get coffee out, I tend to get fancy coffees (mmm, Café Mocha), with a strong preference for The Second Cup.*
* Notable Exception: During the Christmas season, Starbucks Peppermint Mocha is absolutely irresistible.
© 2009 http://talkinghead.ca
Leave a Comment » | marketing, Toronto | Tagged: advertising, coffee, french press, marketing, McDonalds, Second Cup, Starbucks, tim hortons | Permalink
Posted by William
Beatrice 1L Chocolate Milk Beverage
I love milk. It’s probably the only thing keeping me alive given my absurd diet, or lack thereof. When I’m eating out or if it’s on sale at the grocery store I’ll often treat myself to a nice tasty Chocolate Milk. I figure it’s the next best thing to white milk and way better than washing down a meal with sugar water pop.
I have noticed lately that Beatrice brand 1% Partly Skimmed Chocolate Milk is being replaced by ‘1% Chocolate Milk Beverage’ in packaging that looks almost identical on store shelves. As a connoisseur of Chocolate Milk I’m intrigued, and ready to take offence at what I find. Yes, messing with Chocolate Milk is offensive. And so the question must be asked, open-mindedly of course: What the fuck is Chocolate Milk Beverage?
57 Comments | food, rants | Tagged: beatrice, chocolate milk, chocolate milk beverage, Competition Act, Food and Drug Regulations, Health Canada, marketing, Metro, milk, milk beverage, parmalat, truth in advertising | Permalink
Posted by William
The public transit system in Toronto gets me around most places. Inevitably, this means I’ll be exposed to the advertisements posted throughout it. Posters adorn bus shelters, subway platforms and the interior of the vehicles. Ad screens are popping up throughout subway stations. Sometimes the vehicles themselves, too are plastered with giant ads.
Sex is pervasive in our culture and media; it is used to sell pretty much everything. Except for sex, it seems. I think this calls for a great big HUH?
Case in point: Alesse is a popular contraceptive pill, AKA birth control, for women. This advertisement has been annoying me for some time for the simple reason that this it has absolutely nothing to do with sex. Go ahead… read it.
1 Comment | sex, thoughts | Tagged: ad, advertisement, advertising, Alesse, BCP, birth control, contraception, contraceptive, marketing, media, sex, the pill | Permalink
Posted by William
 | australia love on “Chocolate Milk Beverage… |
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| Nancy thompson on “Chocolate Milk Beverage… |
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