How (NOT) to Fail

When I was at Uni in Australia I so clearly remember a friend saying to me “The Most important thing about life is building relationships”.  That moment and phrase have stuck with me in everything I have done since. (It was 2004 so, in Internet years, that’s ages!).  That’s the thing I feel people really MISS about social media, it’s all about building relationships. I scrolled though a presentation earlier about not NOT to fail as a brand which talked about how brands build relationships. And how they are not great at it. Brand relationships are not the same as human relationships. Some of my fav slides below followed by the 110 page presentation.  You might enjoy clicking through over lunch today 🙂 How to (not) Fail from Martin Weigel

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Valentines Day Advertising

We did a funny blog post at the office about condom advertising and Valentines Day 🙂 Read it here.

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Rockstars don’t call themselves a rockstars, but in this case Marketing did.

This article originally appeared in the Nov. 30 issue of Marketing as part of “Being Influential”. Casie Stewart has been many things. She’s worked as a consultant, brand ambassador, spokesperson, copywriter and community manager. Until this autumn, she juggled freelance work as each along with sponsorship deals with brands like Canadian Club, LG and Cadbury seeking mentions on her life blog and social streams. Then in September she made the jump into the agency world, accepting a position as director of social media at Community, a small Toronto-based agency that works on campaigns for clients like LiveNation, Heineken and Bacardi. Stewart says she’ll maintain her social presence (which includes 14,000+ followers on Twitter) despite her new nine-to-five and is participating in upcoming influencer programs by Ted Baker London and Telus. At Community, Stewart is using her personal network of influencers and experience as a blogger to inform client work. As a sought-after influencer, Stewart’s participated in dozens of social campaigns. These are four of the best. READ HERE.

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The Art of Soup

I can’t even begin to explain how special I felt when I opened this extremely heavy package today.It came from a friend south of the border. Thank you Ellen for sending these. I love you. As soon as I knew these cans were being made, I reached out to my best friends in Boston as asked them to keep an eye out at Target. Today, four of the Andy Warhol Tomato Soup cans arrived. The cans celebrate 50 years since Andy’s iconic work, 32 Campbell’s Soup Cans. Andy famously said “I used to have the same [Campbell’s soup] lunch every day for twenty years.” I love their branding. Something special they did is print all the labels directing you to the website artofsoup.com which redirects to their Facebook page Campbell’s Condensed Soup, 158,746 likes, 3,527 talking about this. Right now. I love when brands do that. Andy Warhol has always been my favourite. An inspiration. I have blogged about him heaps. He has his own category. I also named my iPad after him. Campbell’s Tomato soup with toast has been my fav lunch since I was a kid. Before I knew him. My blog is about to get a makeover 😉 <3 CASIE  

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Speaking | Brand-U Fab, November 1, 2012

On November 1st I’m speaking at Brand U Fabulous. This one-of-a-kind event that will provide women entrepreneurs with tools, tips and insights that will help you market and build the business of your dreams online and offline. There’s an all-star speaker line-up including Amber Mac , Donna Marie Antoniadis,  Steve Lowell,  Laura Furtado, and me, an interactive discussion panel and breakout sessions that cover everything from marketing, writing, branding, to all things social media. Why join us? Understand what your brand says about you and to create a magnetic brand that integrates with your mission Demystify social media and learn concrete steps to leverage your efforts to increase your followers, enhance your influence and grow your bottom line Create the right buzz about your brand that will convert your raving fans into loyal, happy customers Learn how to effectively communicate your story through speaking from the stage, writing and video! The Basics: Date: Thursday November 1st, 2012 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Venue: St. Paul Bloor Street Address: 227 Bloor Street East, Toronto (Click for directions) Tickets are $99 and a portion of proceeds go to Nellie’s Women’s Shelter. Visit the website for more info on speakers & ticket options. Hope to see you there! <3 Your positive & fabulous friend, CASIE

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There you are…

Handsome. What do you think of this?

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CIBC Run for The Cure 2012 – September 30!

This year I’m participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on September 30, 2012. I’m running with Lauren, Sarah, Courtney, and Harmony as TEAM 5138008. Get it? BOOBIES! I’ve been training by running, dancing (joined a burlesque troupe!), eating healthy, and mentally preparing for 5k. At this point I can to 2.5k  and by 12 days from now, I’ll be ready! When I think about the estimated over 23,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in Canada, I’m happy to be supporting a cause that touches so many of us. I heard yesterday about a friends Mum being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I wrote this post right away. As of right now I have raised 16% of my personal goal of $300. I would like to blow that number out of the WATER! You can make a difference. With your support, the Foundation will continue funding breast cancer research, education and health promotion initiatives across the country, making a difference from coast to coast. To learn more about the work the Foundation does, visit www.cbcf.org Will you support me in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure? A donation of $20, $50 or $100 will really help me get closer to my fundraising goal. Of course, any donation will make a difference and help create a future without breast cancer. You can make your donation here. Need some PINK donation motivation?  Pink glasses, pink sky! Me running for the CURE! Pink Strawberry Tic Tacs for Breast Cancer Month! Mum and I in MATCHING Pink jackets! Me yesterday in Pink wrinkle free Oxford & BF cardigan from Mark’s, Hunter Wellies, Abercrombie demin (so old), and a smile. We’re still deciding what to wear as a team put I…

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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  

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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.  

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Why Just Watch When You Can Feel?

I just came from a keynote by Paul Lee president of ABC. It was refreshing to hear his thoughts about storytelling through media. I things brands and broadcast networks have an INCREDIBLE opportunity to tell stories through trans media. The internet is your friend guys. Paul Lee said “for all the business models, the play is still the thing”. In the spirit of being refreshing, check out this short film The Drop, shot by Johan Renck for Perrier. He’s one of one of the most respected and sought after directors of commercials and music videos right now. The shooting took place during 5 days in march 2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. “When everything is melting on Earth, a gorgeous heroine is sent into space to refresh the world with a bottle of Perrier…” The film plays on all what makes Perrier a unique and iconic brand: it’s sophisticated, elegant, incredibly hot and has a unique French touch to it. Perrier has made a couple film now and I enjoy the way they have taken to YouTube to create a feeling through film and go further than just making a commercial. Good job guys! Some Takeaways from this morning’s Keynote for Brands: Need to lean forward like a kid, with genuine interest We have access to brilliant new technologies ex. Instagram, Xbox Need to lean back, take things in, feel the story TV is really about storytelling Storytelling is changed, more choices Viewers have limitless possibility to consume Smart viewers choose when & where to watch More from Banff World Media Festival later today! Check out HOW beautiful it is here right now…  

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THE YOUNG INFLUENCERS CONFERENCE

Hi from the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library. I love this space! I caught the morning keynote by Shane Smith, CEO & Founder of Vice. Panels are full of great people. My talk is “Authenticity and Word-of-Mouth via Social Media” featuring three other bloggers in fashion, photography, and comics. Follow along my tweets and #YIC12. I you have any questions, ask me! Have an awesome day!

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(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…

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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…

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Conference Crashing At It’s Finest #CES2012

I’m sitting here in the sun. It’s lovely.

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