Category Archives: Toronto

Toronto, twitter

TwestivalTO

Last night I experienced the potential and real power of social media. Throughout the world people gathered in their communities to socialize with a conscience. The charity of choice was charity : water.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TGkFYZKXCk&hl=en&fs=1]

How did these people mobilize? Twitter. Yeah, that cool, nerdy, yet powerful tool your brother uses and your PR manager spends hours on.

I’m not going to spend time here explaining the how and why this event worked all over the world because many people who know better than me already have. So I’ll point you to them:

Toronto

M.E.C. gets it

I was at Mountain Equipment Co-op yesterday (12/23/2008) afternoon to help my beautiful wife’s organization with their Eco-Gift Wrapping Fundraising efforts. MEC, for those of you who don’t know, sells everything that has to do with enjoying the Canadian outdoors: sleeping bags, lanterns, mountain bikes, canoes, gloves, and everything else you can imagine and even more of the stuff you can’t imagine.


They also “get it”. Getting it is that thing that you do to make yourself (or your brand) a friend of your potential clients. No. It’s not the free stale coffee you offer your potential clients as they walk in the store.

Here’s how MEC “gives back” to their community:

  1. Free bike racks use with 24 hour CCTV surveillance. Amazing! In the middle of downtown Toronto.
  2. Rock climbing for kids. Where? Inside their store. Do your Christmas shopping and have the MEC staff teach your kids a thing or two about the cool sport of rock climbing.
  3. 10,000 square foot green roof. MEC has been in Toronto since 1988. The green roof is not a passing fad for them. It’s part of their commitement.
  4. Community Bulletin. Got something to sell? Interested in yoga? Post your junk or take a look to see what people are up to.
  5. They support Toronto Green Community!

So, if you’re looking for a gift (or something for yourself) at anytime of the year, check out MEC at King Street West just east of Spadina.

Toronto

Forget the NFL. Toronto has Monopoly!


And so it continues. Or maybe it has ended.

Toronto has always had this big city – small city syndrome. Are we world class or not? Do they love us or hate us?

Well, it seems that Toronto doesn’t need the NFL. The CFL and the NLL (lacrosse) will do just fine for the folks at Hasbro. Toronto, as well as Montreal and Vancouver will be featured on the new Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition.

Just don’t tell Torontonians that Montreal has the prestigious “Boardwalk” location…

Read the PRESS RELEASE HERE.