PASSIONATE VOICES + SAY MEDIA: Canada’s Social Media Cool Kid

Here’s an excerpt from a recent interview I did for SAY Media’s blog ‘SAY DAILY’. SAY is an awesome company out of San Francisco that works with “passionate voices” like me to to pair us up with brands and stuff. They publish cute venn diagrams each Friday. Your blog is called Casie Stewart: This Is My Life – in 140 characters or less, what is your life? Lots of hard work & dedication turning my dreams a reality. Celebrating life’s moments and making the most of each day. Awesome! You’re a social media expert in Canada – what are some of your social media secrets for the rest of us? Life is about building relationships and so is social media.  If you want to grow your audience, have conversations about other things than ‘just’ your business. You’ll make more friends that way. Start a blog! A blog is the home for everything you do online. Use Disqus commenting so that Twitter & Facebook are integrated within your commenting system. Read the rest of the interview here. Some of their other voices are Tavi Genvison, Seth Godin, and The Sartorialist. Check out interviews with Honestly WTF fashion babe Leah Chernikoff.  The HTC campaign I was in last year was with SAY and so are the fancy advertisements in my sidebar. In December we went to the their holiday party in Toronto and guess who was in their signage?! Me! I was totally surprised. I know Mum would have loved to see it. Next stop, billboard then broadway! Ok, no broadway but billboard has a nice ring to it. Stay warm out there!!

View Post

The Future, Ads & Content feat @SayMedia @VictorsnSpoils @VirginAmerica

Check this out! I had no idea, mega agency, Viktor & Spoils made a case study about this. Most of this video was shot by my sister and the whole thing was put together by Sean Evans from 1188 Films. Pretty neat! 1188 just WON for Post Production Of The Year for Down With Webster “Big Wheels” video at the MMVAs tonight. If you like/love Nintendo you will <3 this. CONGRATS to 1188 & DWW! Read a good article about advertising & content on SAY MEDIA’s blog this week. Goes back to what I was saying last week about transmedia storytelling. I love their VENN diagrams.  

View Post

Speaking at Centennial College – Advanced Social Media

Here I am on the TTC again. I really wish I had headphones but they’re still in my travel bag at home. I’m heading over to Centennial College to chat with a class of Advanced Social Media year 3 students about my life and work. I try to say yes as often as I can when a friend or close contact asks me to chat with their class. It’s always an opportunity for me to learn. I love their questions. I love reminding them that the job they’ll have one day might not, and probably doesn’t even exist. It’s ok if they don’t know what they want to do yet. I remind them to find something they love doing and become really, really good at it. I tell them to explore creativity and try new things. To not be afraid of other people who can’t see their vision or grasp their unique idea. There have been so many times in my career where the person/people I was working with or for, didn’t get my idea. Most the time it was because only I could see so far ahead, not as far as me. They weren’t there yet. Having the skills and knowledge to see an idea before anyone else will often keep you ahead of the pack.  When I worked at CTV for Much/MTV Canada I remember telling my boss it would be a good idea to put the show hashtag on the tv screen. He totally thought I was crazy and made me feel bad about my ‘dumb’ idea. We all know how that turned out, eh? Another time at an agency job I suggested we get this cool InstaPrint thing from NYC. It involved hiring a guy to man 4 machines onsite for the event that would print little…

View Post

Hi Mum, I just called to say thanks.

Today I rung mum at work and I think she must have been busy because she seemed a little surprised when I said ‘hi mum’. I told her I was calling to say thank you for having me and being so supportive. She didn’t have a lot of time to talk but I wanted to thank her for everything. To tell her I love calling her all the time when something exciting happens and I can’t tell anyone else or they just wouldn’t feel as excited as her. For all the times she stayed up late sewing ballet skirts to sell at the studio so she could afford our dance classes. For driving to all those dance competitions, skiing, skating, birthday parties, recitals, modelling, tae kwon do, and to all my friends houses for sleepovers. For showing me how to bake and encouraging me to make things in the kitchen, thank you. For embracing my weirdness and letting me wear what I want as a child no matter how bizarre the neighbours thought she was for doing to it. For putting us in summer reading club at the library. For all the work that went in to creating JEANS Publishing company and helping me write that book as a young teenager because I know it was shit ton of work and late nights (for her). For teaching me to work hard and not listen to anyone who says ‘you can’t do that’. Your strong attitude is with me everyday and I carry it close to my heart and I hear your voice in my head. For teaching me to be tough and know how to throw a damn good punch (whoops!) and studying Tae Kwon Do together. For getting me braces because you knew that my smile would bring joy to other people and I…

View Post

Tech | Canada’s Leading Digital Media: NextMedia + Digi Awards 2016

Last week I was a speaker at NextMedia, Canada’s leading digital media conference. the 2 day conference focusses on creation, distribution, and monetization of digital media content and technology. Our panel, moderated by Amber Mac, was Blurred Lines: Best Practices for Disclosing Paid Content. I’ve mentioned it a few times how this is a hot topic. My thoughts are that if you are working with someone or got the product/thing as an in-kind donation or gift,, just say so. If you always work on things you genuinely like, being authentic is easy. This isn’t a great photo but it was a memorable moment. Jake said people who will just work for any brand and do it for the money are ‘brand whores’. It’s hard to trust someones opinion if they don’t really have one and they’re just slingin’ stuff at you all the time. Discussing the #BlurredLines on #Disclosure of #Paid #Content via new #Advertising Standards #Rules ☠️ #nextMEDIA16 #handshake A photo posted by Kevin September (@septembersphere) on Nov 10, 2016 at 7:49am PST Amber asked me to be a presenter at the Digis which is the award show closing out the conference.  In it’s 10th year, the awards celebrate Canada’s most successful digital media companies and creators. I wasn’t nervous at all until it came time for rehearsal and I had to read a teleprompter. Which, by the way, was easier than I thought! I presented the award for Best Branded Content. The winner was Lilly & The Snowman from Cineplex. In other news, I left getting a dress to the last minute. So, I popped over to my go-to girls at Studio Fitzroy to rent something. Remember in the summer when I blogged about their dress rentals? That biz was SO SUCCESSFUL they’ve opened a dress rental spot on Dundas West.…

View Post

FASHION Magazine feature: Social Media Star

Yesterday FASHION Magazine published an interview they did with me this week. It’s the first in their new series on stylish movers and shakers leading the pack in the world of social media. It can be really challenging to make a splash in the world of social media. One of the hardest hunting grounds is definitely instagram. Although an instagram like bot can help you massively in this department. In fact, some bots are able to help you increase the number of followers you have too. This is definitely something you might want to consider learning more about. Thanks Renee Tse for the kind words. If you read it, leave a comment on the post! From Twitter to #TIFF, @casiestewart shares the the secrets to her social media success: http://t.co/s45xPvoONq — FASHION Magazine (@FashionCanada) August 23, 2013 Below is their kind intro. Click to read the interview! While social media may be just a hobby for some of us, Casie Stewart’s life is all about digital platforms. As the social media director of Community Agency (a circle of artsy and techy people) and a dedicated blogger since 2005, it’s pretty accurate to say social media has taken over Stewart’s life. From documenting her every movement on her blog to conversing with her 15,000+ ‘Tweeters’, she has built relationships across the world via social media. But out of every social media platform she’s on, Twitter is by far her favourite. Thanks to Twitter, Stewart’s living a whirlwind life she never dreamed possible. She’s partnered with companies like Virgin America, Ted Baker London, Thomas Sabo and Telus (just to name a few) and is currently the host of Coral TV, a platform for ladies who are interested in everything about the internet. Whether you’re looking for opinions on fashion and technology or…

View Post

That’s All I Can Think To Say

View Post

Trends at Banff World Media Festival: Social TV, Transmedia Storytelling, 3D, Innovation, Mobile Everything

It’s been an exciting two days so far. We’re going to see LOTS more social integration with broadcast media this year. Everyone is talking about transmedia storytelling, telling stories with brands across different platforms in traditional & new media. Mobile everything. I’ve learned about some really neat technology in 3D that is really freaking cool. No glasses and the most real picture you have ever seen. I hear sports look absolutely amazing. I’ve got a couple minutes in my hotel room before my Blackoptek treat mate Darren Pereira is on the panel about Social TV. Panel starts at 3pm Calgary time. Panel is Social Television: Ways to Engage, it’s gonna be a good one. Deets here: Larry King isn’t coming tomorrow night for the award show. I was hoping we could hang out. Oh well, off to next panel! Hope you’re having an awesome day. If you are in Banff and see me, make sure you say HI! Check out these horses I saw this morning!

View Post

“for people to shine” he says. That makes me excited.

View Post

they say the world was built for two

Listened to Katy Perry White Christmas and it made me excited to come home for the holidays. I’ve spent some serious time thinking about what to do next with my life and I’m really excited about it all. This is quite a lovely song… Listened to Gala Darling’s book Love & Sequins last night.  Gala is an awesome Kiwi girl in NY who writes a charming blog and lives a beautiful life. She has so much great and advice and is very positive. I can’t wait to meet her.  Two of my favourite bloggers in the world are Gala Darling & Gala Gonzalez (Almul’s Closet).  This is Rumi, Gala Gonzalez and I at fashion week in NZ last year. These are my 15+ postcards with names on them to write at the beach today. I will send you if you give me your address. Downloaded the Canada Post app and DID YOU KNOW you can make stamps and postcards from your photos. Check this out! This is what #NewNewTwitter looks like. It’s so pretty. Twitter for iPhone is really good lookng too. Time for me to knock off work and hit the beach. Have an awesome day! <3 CASIE

View Post

Say you believe it.

When I first met Andy, it was love. Then I met James Dean and it was a whole new world. But now, now that I have iPhone, it’s like a love I have never experienced. It’s like…

View Post

i’m so, i’m so original i don’t care what anybody says

Title is from this hipster song. Found it after looking at search terms people typed into Google to get here and one was “Toronto hipster”. Photo: computer boyfriend. http://tumblr.com/xmj3o5c7gh # Photo: Art. http://tumblr.com/xmj3o5cofa # I liked a @YouTube video http://youtu.be/SW0LdjoF8I0?a Driving with @Keriblog (Volkswagen Freedriving Tour, Toronto) # “@SidewalkHustle: Gargyle Presents Sol II Sol feat. Wang, SUPER, Karen Walker, Illesteva sunglasses. http://t.co/KIa89Ac” #NZFW # GO AHEAD: this is your life. https://casiestewart.com/you-missed-this-yesterday-14/ # Photoset: That was awesome. http://tumblr.com/xmj3ob6r0b # had a fun time driving with you yesterday @VWcanada. das awesome! http://t.co/x5bdM87 #toronto # Photo: society. http://tumblr.com/xmj3obcf4y # Photo: haha. das funny. http://tumblr.com/xmj3obg76m # Photo: nice. http://tumblr.com/xmj3obhm44 # I liked a @YouTube video http://youtu.be/vw7S2uU7dRo?a Smirnoff Experience – Toronto # what #advice can you give me about switching to Mac? Tomorrow is the day. #excited http://t.co/NcPV31u #macbookair # i feel like making paper mache. # New fav app on iPad is comic book. First one: #heatwave #sunburn #bacon http://twitpic.com/5v86k7 # Agoraphobia http://t.co/iK3Gmae # RE: Thanks for the tip! I will do that.  http://disq.us/2qd2qw # RE: @mattjuniper Matt Juniper Air baby! YEEHAW. http://disq.us/2qd2so # Andy, Edie and the parrot know what’s good. http://twitpic.com/5va4cw # balcony tennis creepin’. http://twitpic.com/5vb0wf # Photo: can we go light painting? http://tumblr.com/xmj3om6m2i # Photo: http://tumblr.com/xmj3ombotf # Foster The People – Helena Beat http://t.co/fLvZlfC # I liked a @YouTube video http://youtu.be/oA5H9ubV-0s?a NZ’s MC Bling drops awesome live freestyle #

View Post

a very fine artist wouldn’t ya say there

I painted this. With digital paint. I feel it really speaks to my passion for technology and love of life. Full of emo(ticons). I found it today going through old folders. It was a celebrity painting event with Amex and a media peeps. I won an ipad, named him Andy. We’ve been in love since. I painted this too in 2009. It’s done using GE’s Imagination Cubed. Did you ever try it? I just tried to go to imaginationcubed.com and it doesn’t work anymore. It was this rad drawing board with stamps and letters. Ah well, back to ipad drawing it is!      

View Post

What if they call me a “Social Media Expert”? UPDATE: They did.

So, Rockstars don’t call themselves ‘Rockstars’ but it’s cool cause everyone else calls them, which is what makes them rockstars. Say Rockstar one more time in that sentence haha. Do you know a ‘real’ Social Media Expert, am I one? I have heaps of Tweets/Blog/Posterous/Facebook/Skype/Flickr/Blogger/Google+/YouTube and more but that term is usually associated with douchebags. I’m not a douchebag. Catch me on eTalk tonight for the Royal Tour coverage (starts at 7pm on CTV). Got to tape in the studio, I was standing in front of that eTalk sign above. Didn’t get a photo of us shooting. Doh. I used to work at CTV behind the scenes so was a pretty rad to be back today in front of the camera. Saw a bunch of old colleagues and was dressed to impress.  Wore high shoes, nicely tailored dress, hair up, bow, red lipstick. Zing! I hope I come across smart and cool. I really hope I don’t look bad. (It’s nerve wracking ok!!) I’ll be at an event this evening so I won’t see it until I get home. I’m not sure how long it will be either. My segment is about the big role social media is playing in Will & Kate’s visit, the photo one of our MP’s posted of them (below) and the Royal Tour app. The Royal Tour App is one of the most popular in Canada right now. The Blue Man Group were also there this morning. I touched a BLUE MAN! They use blue oil paint and it is very messy. I had some on my finger. One of the BMG guys was pretty cute, well, for a Blue guy. 😛 I love being in front of the camera. I really want to be on TV. Look what they did to C. Perez, Senior Producer. He got…

View Post

social media week has started and i am social me.

Heard some people from Roots Canada talk about social media this morning. It was a great talk for retailers or brands who are just getting into social media. Keri & I didn’t stay too long. I get antsy and have a hard time listening to a topic when I have so much to say about it. Tonight it’s a different story, I get to have a say. I’m in a debate on brands & social media at the Mill Street Brewery. The event is hosted by Wikibrands a book written by my friend Sean Moffit and Mike Dover about “Reinventing Your Company in a Customer-Driven Marketplace”. They like Wordles just like me. Who knew social media would take over in all kinds of industries around the world? It’s amazing.  I talking about love brands, social media & the people behind them. This is the second year of Social Media Week & you can see the schedule for Toronto here. This week for me is full of events & people talking about something I love, heaps of familiar faces and lots of new people. Keri & I cruised the downtown underground this afternoon and rode the streetcar. I got a My Little Pony in my Happy Meal at McDonalds too. I’ve been eating way less maccas BTW 🙂 Did you know Toronto’s streetcar system is one of the few in North America still operating along street-running tracks and has been operating since the mid-19th century. We are a cool city. AND, did you know that VW commercial I posted yesterday from the Super Bowl. Guess who the little kid is? Victoria & JT’s son Reed from the Young & the Restless.  You know how much I love that show. What a cute kid. Here’s a snip-it: Ok, clock is ticking, time…

View Post

it’s a beautiful say in the neighbourhood

Tweeted the pic to @blogTo yesterday morning and voila….now this is popular media! Toronto Star! Snoetry, graffiti in the snow…beat that Banksy.

View Post

something to say to you missy

This is your reminder.  You need to find that off switch.  You need to watch  your mouth. You need to think before you speak.   You are smart and cool and pretty and when you drink too much you are none of those things. I don’t like that girl, nobody does.  If you lose him over this you will never forgive yourself.  He’s good to you. You love him.  Smarten up. You apologized and I know you’re sorry. Hopefully he calls you tomorrow. You’re so pretty when you cry. I love you.

View Post

white on blackberry: social media device search

Remember the post to all Canadian phone companies? The one saying I want a social media phone…one for someone who is super social? What is important to me in a new unit: – Camera with a flash that can take clear photos day or night (Twitpic) – Keyboard that is easy to type when walking or with one hand – Ability to Tweet/Facebook – Multiple email accounts – Easy internet browsing (Blog, Tumblr, Posterous) – Cut, copy, paste – Video Camera (12seconds) – Wi-Fi – Backup contacts (for people who lose/break shit) Bonus: – BBM – Blackberry Messenger – 3G I got my first response from Rogers and my brand new white Blackberry 9000 arrived yesterday. The catch is, I have to give it back, but I do get to try it for a while. so i’s kinda good. Already not sure the white leather back is gonna stay clean? Chatted someone from Telus about their phones today and other inquiries are rolling in. This is my search for the ultimate social media phone for my socialness. XO CASIE

View Post

the accent, the languge and how she says ‘status’

attention everyone who uses facebook, take a lesson from Bangs & a Bun writer Muireann Carey-Campbell. Facebook Fatigue from Muireann Carey-Campbell on Vimeo.

View Post

what make? who says?

I’m watching a Beautiful Mind on Diva. Every time I watch this movie I feel a special connection to it. I have many times throughout my life felt like an outsider because of the way I thought about things. It has always been different than anyone else since I was a wee little lady. Mum said I used to pick out all my own outfits and match them my own way, I used to make art that was beyond my years too. I remember Mum getting into a fight with my grade 8 art teacher because she hid my work in her office and when Mum went to buy it in the art sale, it wasn’t there. This is all interesting but my question is, what really defines a genius? A test? A way of thinking? Being really good at something? A genius is a person who successfully applies a previously unknown technique in the production of a work of art, science or calculation, or who masters and personalizes a known technique. A genius typically possesses great intelligence or remarkable abilities in a specific subject, or shows an exceptional natural capacity of intellect and/or ability, especially in the production of creative and original work, something that has never been seen or evaluated previously. Traits often associated with genius include strong individuality, imagination, uniqueness, and innovative drive. [Source: Wikipedia.]

View Post

Art/Advertising, Both.

I love the Say Media blog. They post Venn diagrams about advertising, marketing, and social media every Friday. This week “Great Advertising is Art”. Some examples they posted today of trendsetters paving the way for awesome advertising at art. You will like the video. Beautiful.     Google flashing its technology through a gorgeous music video for Arcade Fire.     Toshiba sending the first chair to space attached to a weather balloon.     Target putting on LED light shows on the side of the NYC Standard Hotel.     BMW driving cars through a giant glass apple.     Honda turning its car parts into a complex Rube Goldberg machine. Valfre is one of my fav artists. Her drawings are so good. Her blog is here. One of my favs is in this post. ART/ADVERTISING? Both. What advertising/art are you creating? CASIE  

View Post

SummerWorks Performance Festival: Peachy Coochy at the Performance Bar

I subscribe to the Say Media blog and truly love the Venn diagrams that come every Friday morning. This one is from one of my favourite books “Steal Like An Artist”. Tomorrow night, 9:30pm at The Lower Ossington Theatre, a Peachy Coochy performance will grace the stage at the Performance Bar as part of the SummerWorks Theatre Festival. The name comes from the Japanese ‘Pecha Kucha‘ where each presenter has 5 minutes to deliver 15 slides with only 20 seconds for each slide. I know these as Ignite presentations, people do them at conferences sometimes. The cast will be sharing Venn diagrams in a form that is  ‘smart and playful, sweet and earnest, with a healthy dose of cheek’.  See the description on the SummerWorks site. I creeped YouTube for Peachy Coochy and there’s some funny ones. I’m looking forward to this! Performance Details: Date & Time: Thursday August 16, 9:30 pm – Location: Ticket: Pay-what-you-can Participants: Philip Akin: Artistic Director, Obsidian Theatre Company Tara Beagan: Artistic Director, Native Earth Performing Arts Ravi Jain: Artistic Director, Why Not Theatre Matthew Jocelyn: Artistic Director, Canadian Stage Laura Nanni: Festival Director, Rhubarb Festival Richard Rose: Artistic Director, Tarragon Theatre Cost is PWYC so if you are broke as a joke or rollin’ in dough you can still go and have some smart fun. I’ll be there and hope to see some familiar faces so we can laugh together.    

View Post

Personality is Everything in Art and Poetry.

Exciting week just passed and I am SO ready for a getaway! Tomorrow I’m scooting up north to the countryside with Barbie to a friends cottage. Give me nature, lake, silence and sunshine. YES PLEASE. Ate pretty healthy this week and went running a few times. Feels good to hit the pavement. Got a haircut at Darren’s Studio and had my first spring picnic in the park. This Week in Venn via SAY Media: The Secret to a Successful Modern Media Brand – I love reading this blog post each Friday. Always an interesting & fresh perspective about marketing, internet and brands.    Coral TV – Edgy Veg Launches and I’m Coming Soon! This week Candice’s show on CoralTV, The Edgy Veg launched! She’s adorable. If you missed the news earlier this week, I’m the latest addition to the Women’s Lifestyle Channel, my show will be launching in about a month! I made it to the final round in the BLOG FOR BANFF competition. THANK YOU. Final voting closes Tuesday, no signup and takes one second. Please cast one click for me. You can vote from web, mobile, tablet so get ’em all in there! Discovered the spot where my next Dear Photograph submission will be taken from. Turns out Mum used to hang out exactly where I like to hang out now. Her photo is from the ’70’s I think. Mum, can you confirm? Check out the skyline, or lack there of! Please be careful this weekend, wear sunscreen, don’t drink & drive, and play safe. May24 is the kick-off to summer, make it a good one! Next weekend is Memorial Day in the USA and I’ll be in the sunshine state soaking up Florida rays. Can’t wait! Have an awesome day! <3 CASIE * title is a quote  by  Johann Wolfgang von…

View Post

Picking the Right Glasses, for Your Face!

I’m a huge fan of wearing glasses. They’re a statement piece for your face and can change a somewhat boring outfit into something with a lot more style. I’ve had glasses since my first eye checkup in high school. They were my first ever high end designer item too. I saw a pair of Gucci frames before I went in to get my eyes checked, as we were wrapping up my appointment the doctor told my my eyes were near perfect. You think a girl would be happy about that, no, I wanted those GUCCI GLASSES! Fortunate for fashion, I was able to get them in the weakest possible prescription and Mum & I went home happy after placing the order. Now that I’m grown up (sounds so weird to say that, but anyways) I have to get my own glasses. A good price and easy shopping experience are important. Yesterday I chatted with Derek Derek Desierto’s about his top picks top picks for the spring and summer. Derek is a Canadian celebrity eyeglass stylist and the in-house designer for Clearlycontacts.ca. Listen here: Derek styled my face with the handy Virtual Mirror I told you about in January.  In our short talk I learned that you should pick glasses that are the opposite shape of your face ex. square face, round glasses etc. These are a few of his latest designs w/ Clearly Contacts. Any guesses which ones I picked before looking two inches down the page? (Worst guessing game ever, I know) I went for the fashionable & feminine Birch: They should arrive next week and I will do an unboxing & try them on for you style like I did last time. Follow Derek & I on Twitter at @mrdesierto & @casiestewart.  Check out this TOTALLY rad commercial for HTC that…

View Post

Speaking | Panels, Parties & People #SMW

Social Media Week kicks off around the world today. Here’s my picks on what you wanna check out including parties and panels. I’m speaking on two that fall on Thursday & Friday. There’s a TON of things going on so check the schedule & see what peaks your interest. Image is from Say Media’s blog, LEGGOOOO, VROOOOOOOOOM! Monday: 7pm: SMW Tweetgasm & Official Launch Party (Both at Gladstone Hotel) Tuesday: 8am-6pm SMW Coffee House @ ING Direct 2-3:30 Keynote: Jon Sinden on Brands & Fans 3:30-4:30 Conversation in Social Metrics @ Entrinsic Wednesday: 10am-12pm: Content may be king, but without Context – no one will pay attention 4:30-5:30: Not Another Open Bar Event: Is Your Brand Seeing a Return On Influence? 9pm: Social Media Week Toronto Official After-Party: After Hours Conversation Thursday: there’s LOTS of great stuff! 9am-1pm: Entrinsic Presents: CaseCamp (No it’s not Camp about ME!) 1-2:30: Social Media Friends, Anxiety & You: 5:30-6:30: Community Management beyond Twitter & FB 5:30-7pm: Getting Serious About Travel Blogging 5:30-9pm: SXSW Pre-Party @ Spice Route Friday:  8:45-10:30pm: Driving the Social Media Conversation w/ GM 12:30-3:30 Post it, Pin It Party (lunch/drinks) 3-4pm: Social Storytelling: Creating and Curating Content Strategies That Work Friday 6-8pm: Building Valuable Social Features into your Web and Mobile Applications Information about my panels:  Thursday, 1-2:30: Social Media Friends, Anxiety & You: Hosted by Maria Lianos-Carbone, publisher & editor of amotherworld.com, this panel will be talking about the anxiety that can come along with being so open in social media and sharing more of your life than ever. I’m looking forward to this cause I deal with anxiety ALL THE TIME. Other panelists include Stéphanie Montreuil Principal, The Lotus Pad Consulting, and Chris Eh Young. Location is The Office Pub, 117 John Street, 2nd Floor at Adelaide. There will be networking after so come say HI. Friday 6-8pm: Building Valuable Social Features into your Web and…

View Post

(I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE

Last night at the SAY Media party for DX3 I had the time of my life playing with a parachute. It was so fun/cool/awesome, seriously. The band man is Rich Aucoin and here are his deets so you can follow him. Canadian and good looking too.   I was shaking the parachute with about a hundred other people. A bunch were in the middle and running from side to side as the parachute went up and down dancing the air. Charlotte from SAY emailed this photo to me after the show and I’m sure there are heaps more in cameras around. Right when photo was taken I was in this totally awesome childlike state where I swear I don’t know if I’ve ever had so much fun. It was absolute bliss. I’ve said it before and will again, the SAY Media team really know how to throw a party. In conversations last night I learned that lots of people were learning about the company for the first time. This is pretty rad for me because I’ve been working with them for almost a year now. I’m their Canadian ‘poster child’ for social & one of their passionate people building culture. I’ve mentioned them a few times on blog before. I think lots of old friends were surprised to see my face on their signage. “Hey look, that’s you“ I fell in love with how SAY Media really ‘get it’ the first time I received an email and checked out their site. They work with Passionate Voices connecting us with brands and stuff we like. Last year when I was an Android user, I did a national campaign with HTC. SAY is the first ever real advertising I hooked up with too. Those fancy video ads in my sidebar, that’s them. I’m heading to DX3 for day two today and will probably…

View Post

LET’S GET DIGITAL.

Get out and do something. Next week is Advertising Week in Canada and there is a bunch of cool things happening.  This time of year can be kinda depressing spending a day or few hours at a conference is a good way to escape the winter woes and hopefully stimulate your brain. Two things I love most about conferences are scoping out well branded booths and good wifi. The later can be a challenge sometimes. The Detroit Autoshow had totally massive displays with lights, sound, art, fashion and cars. It was crazy how bright the lights were. CES was really, really, huge the conference floor 1.6 million net square feet of exhibit space. In partnership with Advertising Week launches Dx3 Canada, a new interactive trade show with sessions and exhibitors related to advertising, marketing and retail. My girl Amber Mac will be onsite filming her show and there’s a bunch of sponsors/exhbitors friends/partners of mine from over the years including Say Media, Trendhunter, Techvibes, Jaunt.ca. Some more details include: 100 of Canada’s top digital solution providers engaging free seminars Amber Mac’s Technology Spotlight Interviews show floor  etc I’ve always loved advertising. Started a creative ad agency in high school entrepreneur class, was the youngest but got the highest mark. BOOM! Each week the Say Media blog posts ‘this week in venn‘ a diagram that relates to culture & advertising. This was last week’s one and it went along with an awesome post by the CEO titled ‘This is why you work in advertising.’ It’s a good read about the art & romance of good advertising, making conversations human and creating passion. Better advertising for a better world. The DX3 Canada event is on Wednesday & Thursday next week. The trade show is FREE but if you want to attend the sessions you have to pay. There’s over 3o and lots of interesting stuff. I’ll be there…

View Post