Ottawa, ON -- February 25, 2009 -- Ottawa Boat & Sportsmen’s Show (OBSS) brings the latest products and information in boating, fishing, hunting (gear & lodges), travel destinations, and outfitters. The kid’s zone showcases the great outdoors to the next generation. Also, appearing is the “Blind fishing Boat” developed by Ottawa-area native Lawrence Euteneier. The show is a great place for families to find frugal travel ideas in Ontario.
What: Ottawa Boat & Sportsmen’s Show
The Civic Centre, Aberdeen Pavilion and Coliseum at Lansdowne Park
When: Thurs. Feb. 26: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Fri. Feb. 27: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat. Feb. 28: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sun. Mar. 1: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: Adults $13.00
Seniors $8.00
Juniors $8.00 (Ages 10 to 15)
Children FREE when accompanied by an adult (under 10 years)
Family Pass: $30.00 (two adults and two juniors)
Four-Day Super Pass Any admission valid for all four show days
(Cash Only Box Office)
More information on show features available at: www.sportshows.ca/Ottawa
Media contact(s)/Accreditation for the Ottawa Boat & Sportsmen’s Show:
Andrea Lukac
PUNCH CANADA
M : 647-801-8707
E: andrea@punchcanada.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
'Bulging Brides' host tapped for Nutribar relaunch
Chris Daniels
February 23, 2009
TORONTO: Stella Pharmaceuticals has generated media coverage for the launch of its newly-formulated meal replacement brand, Nutribar, by hiring two well-known personalities. Nutritionist Nadeen Boman, host of Slice Network's The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp and Bulging Brides, was hired as a spokeswoman for English Canada. Four-time Olympic speed skater Nathalie Lambert was hired as a spokeswoman for Quebec.The two are speaking to media about a Harris Decima survey, commissioned by Stella Pharmaceuticals, which found that while most women are aware of Canada's Food Guide recommendations, many of them regularly skip meals. Both endorse Nutribar as an alternative for women pressed for time. So far, the campaign has generated coverage on Global Morning and Breakfast Television, radio stations nationwide, and in the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Sun, said Sarah Thompson, account director of PUNCH Canada, the PR agency for Nutribar. She said they targeted journalists with customized lunchboxes, which inside included a selection of Nutribars plus a press kit.
February 23, 2009
TORONTO: Stella Pharmaceuticals has generated media coverage for the launch of its newly-formulated meal replacement brand, Nutribar, by hiring two well-known personalities. Nutritionist Nadeen Boman, host of Slice Network's The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp and Bulging Brides, was hired as a spokeswoman for English Canada. Four-time Olympic speed skater Nathalie Lambert was hired as a spokeswoman for Quebec.The two are speaking to media about a Harris Decima survey, commissioned by Stella Pharmaceuticals, which found that while most women are aware of Canada's Food Guide recommendations, many of them regularly skip meals. Both endorse Nutribar as an alternative for women pressed for time. So far, the campaign has generated coverage on Global Morning and Breakfast Television, radio stations nationwide, and in the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Sun, said Sarah Thompson, account director of PUNCH Canada, the PR agency for Nutribar. She said they targeted journalists with customized lunchboxes, which inside included a selection of Nutribars plus a press kit.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Vancouver Sun - Savour the Hidden Treasure of The Bahamas
With 700 islands located in beautiful Atlantic waters it's not hard to find your own piece of paradise
By MICHELE JARVIE, Canwest News Service
Under the cover of night, they lay in wait for merchant ships and plodding Spanish galleons filled with gold. Hundreds of islands, each with tiny cays and channels, were perfect hiding places for Blackbeard and other pirates who plundered ships all along the Bahamas in the late 1600s.
Henry Morgan liked to lurk in the shallows around Andros. Captain Kidd favoured the Exumas, and Anne Bonney and William Catt commandeered Cat Island. Most of the pirates were captured or killed by the mid-1700s, but evidence of the Bahamas' buccaneering past is evident today in hundreds of wrecks off the Abacos islands, Grand Bahama Island and Bimini. Colonial forts, now tourist sites, surround Nassau like sentinels, as if on watch for the black flags of ruin.
Most tourists visit the paradises of Nassau or Grand Bahama Island, but there is another side to the Bahamas to consider adding to an itinerary. Visiting the Out Islands puts the region's history into perspective.
Arawak Indians settled in the Bahamas in the ninth century. Christopher Columbus set foot on San Salvador island in 1492. Later came the rum runners and pirates, followed by Americans who started cotton plantations with slaves. Many of the people who inhabit the 700 islands of the Bahamas are descendants of these groups.
The Abacos islands, to the north of New Providence Island, attract sailors with their clear, shallow waters and abundant marinas. If you're a landlubber, this long, skinny spit of land has a good assortment of accommodations.
Andros, to the west, is the largest island but the least explored. It's best known for bone-fishing in the sandy flats, diving and eco-tourism. Lodging is limited to the east side of the island.
Eleuthera and the Exumas are popular for gorgeous landscapes and quaint charm. Here you'll find pristine beaches, turquoise waters and Cape Cod architecture.
While some tourists head to the islands for idyllic beachcombing, others are interested in the clear blue waters surrounding them.
Diving or snorkelling in the Bahamas is like swimming in an exploding prism of colour. Turquoise water laps against bright white or pink sand while an encyclopedia of marine life darts around. If you spend time in the water here, you'll see everything from angelfish to barracuda. The warm Atlantic is home to bonefish, lobster, conch, dolphins, grouper, a variety of sharks, tarpon, snapper and stingrays, such as the magnificent spotted eagle ray.
"It was the first time diving for us where we saw lion fish. And it was the start of the invasion of the lion fish. They were everywhere," said Candice Grismer of Calgary, who also raved about a shark feeding session. An experienced diver who has spent time underwater in Honduras, Belize and the Dominican Republic, she said Bahamas water is warm and visibility is great.
Too great, sometimes, it seems.
"There were groupers the size of sharks there. They looked like they could eat you whole."
If tales of giant fish and shark feedings keep you out of the water, you'll find lots to do on land. There are cultural festivities, eco-tours, shopping and sightseeing.
The capital city of Nassau on New Providence Island has the bulk of tourist facilities and its past comes to life at places such as the Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation, Bacardi Distillery and the Pirates of Nassau Museum. The museum downtown is set aboard a replica of Blackbeard's 1716 pirate ship, Revenge. Walk among the cold-blooded crew as they eat, drink and plot their next attack.
It's easy to navigate around Nassau as facilities are grouped in three areas: Cable Beach, downtown and Paradise Island.
Like a pearl necklace, Cable Beach has hotels strung along its 6.5-kilometre stretch of sand. Prices here are moderate to high, ranging from the Nassau Beach Hotel to Sandals Royal Bahamian.
The only caveat to staying here is that the area is undergoing a major redevelopment. Existing hotels are getting expensive facelifts and new facilities are being added, such as the $1.6-billion Baha Mar resort with six luxury hotels. The 3,550-room beachside complex is the single largest investment in the Bahamas -- reflecting the surge in tourism here. If you opt to stay at Cable Beach, find out exactly what state the hotel and grounds are in before you book.
Nassau's downtown is home to some of the country's most venerable establishments, such as the British Colonial Hilton and Graycliff Hotel, a former 18th century private home. With Old-World style and grace, it has hosted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Winston Churchill and the Beatles.
Paradise Island has nine resorts competing for your attention and money. The cheapest is Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, with rooms and tent sites. This is for serious devotees only, as lodging here includes four mandatory meditation and yoga classes daily -- and they start at 6 a.m.
At the other end of the scale, Atlantis is the power player with five towers of varying expense. This is where to go to spot celebrities such as Tommy Lee, Lindsay Lohan or Nick Lachey.
It's also where to go if you have young kids in tow. Water parks, river rides, waterfalls and dozens of pools and beaches keep everyone entertained and the drop-off kids' club is tremendous. Youngsters do crafts, go swimming and can even feed fish guts to baby stingrays in a tiny stream. While that wouldn't appeal to most squeamish adults, kids think it's incredible to have little rays eating out of their hands and swimming through their legs.
Adult pleasures tend to involve the rapid river ride on inner tubes, spiralling water rides and doomsday drops, and the biggest, baddest waterslide of all -- an almost-vertical 18-metre Mayan pyramid which ends in a clear tunnel intersecting a shark tank.
All this fun costs plenty, however, with rates starting around $219 a night in the Beach Tower and reaching $1,280 a night in the exclusive Cove. If you're on a budget, stay at the neighbouring Comfort Suites, and use the Atlantis facilities for free.
A bargain hotel further afield is the Orange Hill Beach Resort, 10 minutes from the airport. This family-run resort has cottages, apartments and motel-style rooms grouped around a pretty (but chilly) courtyard pool.
The restaurant serves tasty, homestyle food such as grilled fish and barbecued chicken. The lounge is also a popular spot for guests and locals, who swap stories at the honour bar. It is one of the best bests for family and budget-conscious travellers.
The beach here is also spectacular and almost always deserted -- nary a pirate in sight.
IF YOU GO
- BEST BETS FOR SIGHTSEEING: You can indulge a love of history here with a number of historic forts. Fort Charlotte on West Bay Street in Nassau, built in 1788, is the largest and has a moat, dungeons, underground passages and 42 cannons. $5 adults, $2 children under 12. There is also a nice zoo in Nassau, with marching flamingos and several gardens. The Ardastra Gardens and Conservation Centre has more than 300 birds, mammals and reptiles. The Botanical Gardens has 18 tropical acres, with 600 species of plants. Kids will love the interactive Pirates of Nassau museum downtown (King and George Streets). It has a pirate-themed pub, courtyard bar and gift shop. $12 adults, $6 ages 4-17.
- BEST BETS FOR COUPLES: Fun can range from four-wheeler tours on the beach to dolphin encounters or stingray adventures. The stingray trip is aboard a catamaran to Blackbeard's Cay where you'll swim and snorkel with rays before feeding them out of your hand. $42 adults, $37 children. If you like fly fishing, try your hand at bonefishing. There are a number of guides and prices vary depending on time and gear provided. Ages 4-17.
- BEST BETS FOR FAMILIES: If you want to splurge, go to Atlantis. The kids will be thrilled, no one will be bored and there are great kids' programs and babysitting. 1-800-ATLANTIS, http://www.atlantis.com/. At the other end of the price spectrum, try Orange Hill Beach Resort, a family-run complex with restaurant, lounge and pool across the street from the tranquil and deserted Orange Hill Beach. 1-888-399-3698, http://www.orangehill.com/
- BEST BETS IF YOU ARE SINGLE: Sign up for the People-to-People Encounter Program. It brings tourists and locals together for a night of cultural exchange. Enjoy a home-cooked meal, attend social events, and learn more about the islands than you ever could from a guidebook. The locals are volunteer hosts from a cross-section of the community. Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, call 1-242-323-1853 or fax 1-242-323-1857.
- BEST BETS FOR REGIONAL CUISINE: Arawak Cay, the site of the summer Junkanoo Festival, has become home to 100 shacks selling fresh off the boat seafood. Here you can try Bahamian delicacies such as conch salad, cracked conch and fried fish. Also try Aunt Jane's or Perfections Eatery at the Prince George Wharf for baked crabs, steamed fish or peas soup, or the Bahamian Kitchen downtown for delicious and reasonable traditional fare.
- BEST BETS FOR REGIONAL INDULGENCES: Festival Place on Prince George Wharf is the place for shopping. With dozens of artisans selling their wares, you can cart home wood carvings, straw bags, quilts or shell souvenirs. If you visit the Bahamas at Christmas, you can't miss Junkanoo, the Bahamas version of Carnival or Mardi Gras. Street parades on Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 are riotous affairs, with music, extravagant costumes and dance.
THE ISLANDS
The Bahamas has over 700 islands spanning 260,000 square kilometres in the western Atlantic Ocean. Each island is unique and attracts visitors for different reasons.
ABACOS: This 193-kilometre chain of islands, uninhabited cays and beaches has naturally protected waters that are perfect for sailing. There are dozens of marinas, guides and boats for rent.
ANDROS: At 6,000 square km, this island is the largest and the least explored. Dive boats ply these waters, though, as the island boasts the world's third-largest barrier reef.
BIMINI: Eighty kilometres from Miami, it is the smallest island, but one of the best known, thanks in part to Ernest Hemingway and his novel, Islands in the Stream. It is the big-game fishing capital of the world.
CAT ISLAND: Home to a few small inns and guest houses, this is truly a place to get away from it all. It's also home to actor Sidney Poitier.
ELUETHERA/HARBOUR ISLAND: Eleuthera is 160 km long but only three km wide. It draws tourists to its accessible beaches, charming towns and inns. Harbour Island is a ferry ride across the channel but a world away. It has quaint colonial charm and some high-priced real estate.
EXUMAS: This collection of small islands and cays is home to the Bahamas National Trust's Exuma National Land and Sea Park. It's a diver's paradise with underwater limestone and coral reefs, blue holes and caves.
GRAND BAHAMA: The second-most visited island in the Bahamas has a mix of modern resort tourism and outdoor adventure. It has one of the oldest underwater cave systems at Lucayan National Park.
INAGUA: Popular for ecotours and home to one of the world's largest flamingo sanctuaries: the gangly pink birds outnumber people 60 to 1.
SAN SALDVADOR: It was on this 163-square-km isle that Columbus landed in 1492.
By MICHELE JARVIE, Canwest News Service
Under the cover of night, they lay in wait for merchant ships and plodding Spanish galleons filled with gold. Hundreds of islands, each with tiny cays and channels, were perfect hiding places for Blackbeard and other pirates who plundered ships all along the Bahamas in the late 1600s.
Henry Morgan liked to lurk in the shallows around Andros. Captain Kidd favoured the Exumas, and Anne Bonney and William Catt commandeered Cat Island. Most of the pirates were captured or killed by the mid-1700s, but evidence of the Bahamas' buccaneering past is evident today in hundreds of wrecks off the Abacos islands, Grand Bahama Island and Bimini. Colonial forts, now tourist sites, surround Nassau like sentinels, as if on watch for the black flags of ruin.
Most tourists visit the paradises of Nassau or Grand Bahama Island, but there is another side to the Bahamas to consider adding to an itinerary. Visiting the Out Islands puts the region's history into perspective.
Arawak Indians settled in the Bahamas in the ninth century. Christopher Columbus set foot on San Salvador island in 1492. Later came the rum runners and pirates, followed by Americans who started cotton plantations with slaves. Many of the people who inhabit the 700 islands of the Bahamas are descendants of these groups.
The Abacos islands, to the north of New Providence Island, attract sailors with their clear, shallow waters and abundant marinas. If you're a landlubber, this long, skinny spit of land has a good assortment of accommodations.
Andros, to the west, is the largest island but the least explored. It's best known for bone-fishing in the sandy flats, diving and eco-tourism. Lodging is limited to the east side of the island.
Eleuthera and the Exumas are popular for gorgeous landscapes and quaint charm. Here you'll find pristine beaches, turquoise waters and Cape Cod architecture.
While some tourists head to the islands for idyllic beachcombing, others are interested in the clear blue waters surrounding them.
Diving or snorkelling in the Bahamas is like swimming in an exploding prism of colour. Turquoise water laps against bright white or pink sand while an encyclopedia of marine life darts around. If you spend time in the water here, you'll see everything from angelfish to barracuda. The warm Atlantic is home to bonefish, lobster, conch, dolphins, grouper, a variety of sharks, tarpon, snapper and stingrays, such as the magnificent spotted eagle ray.
"It was the first time diving for us where we saw lion fish. And it was the start of the invasion of the lion fish. They were everywhere," said Candice Grismer of Calgary, who also raved about a shark feeding session. An experienced diver who has spent time underwater in Honduras, Belize and the Dominican Republic, she said Bahamas water is warm and visibility is great.
Too great, sometimes, it seems.
"There were groupers the size of sharks there. They looked like they could eat you whole."
If tales of giant fish and shark feedings keep you out of the water, you'll find lots to do on land. There are cultural festivities, eco-tours, shopping and sightseeing.
The capital city of Nassau on New Providence Island has the bulk of tourist facilities and its past comes to life at places such as the Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation, Bacardi Distillery and the Pirates of Nassau Museum. The museum downtown is set aboard a replica of Blackbeard's 1716 pirate ship, Revenge. Walk among the cold-blooded crew as they eat, drink and plot their next attack.
It's easy to navigate around Nassau as facilities are grouped in three areas: Cable Beach, downtown and Paradise Island.
Like a pearl necklace, Cable Beach has hotels strung along its 6.5-kilometre stretch of sand. Prices here are moderate to high, ranging from the Nassau Beach Hotel to Sandals Royal Bahamian.
The only caveat to staying here is that the area is undergoing a major redevelopment. Existing hotels are getting expensive facelifts and new facilities are being added, such as the $1.6-billion Baha Mar resort with six luxury hotels. The 3,550-room beachside complex is the single largest investment in the Bahamas -- reflecting the surge in tourism here. If you opt to stay at Cable Beach, find out exactly what state the hotel and grounds are in before you book.
Nassau's downtown is home to some of the country's most venerable establishments, such as the British Colonial Hilton and Graycliff Hotel, a former 18th century private home. With Old-World style and grace, it has hosted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Winston Churchill and the Beatles.
Paradise Island has nine resorts competing for your attention and money. The cheapest is Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, with rooms and tent sites. This is for serious devotees only, as lodging here includes four mandatory meditation and yoga classes daily -- and they start at 6 a.m.
At the other end of the scale, Atlantis is the power player with five towers of varying expense. This is where to go to spot celebrities such as Tommy Lee, Lindsay Lohan or Nick Lachey.
It's also where to go if you have young kids in tow. Water parks, river rides, waterfalls and dozens of pools and beaches keep everyone entertained and the drop-off kids' club is tremendous. Youngsters do crafts, go swimming and can even feed fish guts to baby stingrays in a tiny stream. While that wouldn't appeal to most squeamish adults, kids think it's incredible to have little rays eating out of their hands and swimming through their legs.
Adult pleasures tend to involve the rapid river ride on inner tubes, spiralling water rides and doomsday drops, and the biggest, baddest waterslide of all -- an almost-vertical 18-metre Mayan pyramid which ends in a clear tunnel intersecting a shark tank.
All this fun costs plenty, however, with rates starting around $219 a night in the Beach Tower and reaching $1,280 a night in the exclusive Cove. If you're on a budget, stay at the neighbouring Comfort Suites, and use the Atlantis facilities for free.
A bargain hotel further afield is the Orange Hill Beach Resort, 10 minutes from the airport. This family-run resort has cottages, apartments and motel-style rooms grouped around a pretty (but chilly) courtyard pool.
The restaurant serves tasty, homestyle food such as grilled fish and barbecued chicken. The lounge is also a popular spot for guests and locals, who swap stories at the honour bar. It is one of the best bests for family and budget-conscious travellers.
The beach here is also spectacular and almost always deserted -- nary a pirate in sight.
IF YOU GO
- BEST BETS FOR SIGHTSEEING: You can indulge a love of history here with a number of historic forts. Fort Charlotte on West Bay Street in Nassau, built in 1788, is the largest and has a moat, dungeons, underground passages and 42 cannons. $5 adults, $2 children under 12. There is also a nice zoo in Nassau, with marching flamingos and several gardens. The Ardastra Gardens and Conservation Centre has more than 300 birds, mammals and reptiles. The Botanical Gardens has 18 tropical acres, with 600 species of plants. Kids will love the interactive Pirates of Nassau museum downtown (King and George Streets). It has a pirate-themed pub, courtyard bar and gift shop. $12 adults, $6 ages 4-17.
- BEST BETS FOR COUPLES: Fun can range from four-wheeler tours on the beach to dolphin encounters or stingray adventures. The stingray trip is aboard a catamaran to Blackbeard's Cay where you'll swim and snorkel with rays before feeding them out of your hand. $42 adults, $37 children. If you like fly fishing, try your hand at bonefishing. There are a number of guides and prices vary depending on time and gear provided. Ages 4-17.
- BEST BETS FOR FAMILIES: If you want to splurge, go to Atlantis. The kids will be thrilled, no one will be bored and there are great kids' programs and babysitting. 1-800-ATLANTIS, http://www.atlantis.com/. At the other end of the price spectrum, try Orange Hill Beach Resort, a family-run complex with restaurant, lounge and pool across the street from the tranquil and deserted Orange Hill Beach. 1-888-399-3698, http://www.orangehill.com/
- BEST BETS IF YOU ARE SINGLE: Sign up for the People-to-People Encounter Program. It brings tourists and locals together for a night of cultural exchange. Enjoy a home-cooked meal, attend social events, and learn more about the islands than you ever could from a guidebook. The locals are volunteer hosts from a cross-section of the community. Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, call 1-242-323-1853 or fax 1-242-323-1857.
- BEST BETS FOR REGIONAL CUISINE: Arawak Cay, the site of the summer Junkanoo Festival, has become home to 100 shacks selling fresh off the boat seafood. Here you can try Bahamian delicacies such as conch salad, cracked conch and fried fish. Also try Aunt Jane's or Perfections Eatery at the Prince George Wharf for baked crabs, steamed fish or peas soup, or the Bahamian Kitchen downtown for delicious and reasonable traditional fare.
- BEST BETS FOR REGIONAL INDULGENCES: Festival Place on Prince George Wharf is the place for shopping. With dozens of artisans selling their wares, you can cart home wood carvings, straw bags, quilts or shell souvenirs. If you visit the Bahamas at Christmas, you can't miss Junkanoo, the Bahamas version of Carnival or Mardi Gras. Street parades on Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 are riotous affairs, with music, extravagant costumes and dance.
THE ISLANDS
The Bahamas has over 700 islands spanning 260,000 square kilometres in the western Atlantic Ocean. Each island is unique and attracts visitors for different reasons.
ABACOS: This 193-kilometre chain of islands, uninhabited cays and beaches has naturally protected waters that are perfect for sailing. There are dozens of marinas, guides and boats for rent.
ANDROS: At 6,000 square km, this island is the largest and the least explored. Dive boats ply these waters, though, as the island boasts the world's third-largest barrier reef.
BIMINI: Eighty kilometres from Miami, it is the smallest island, but one of the best known, thanks in part to Ernest Hemingway and his novel, Islands in the Stream. It is the big-game fishing capital of the world.
CAT ISLAND: Home to a few small inns and guest houses, this is truly a place to get away from it all. It's also home to actor Sidney Poitier.
ELUETHERA/HARBOUR ISLAND: Eleuthera is 160 km long but only three km wide. It draws tourists to its accessible beaches, charming towns and inns. Harbour Island is a ferry ride across the channel but a world away. It has quaint colonial charm and some high-priced real estate.
EXUMAS: This collection of small islands and cays is home to the Bahamas National Trust's Exuma National Land and Sea Park. It's a diver's paradise with underwater limestone and coral reefs, blue holes and caves.
GRAND BAHAMA: The second-most visited island in the Bahamas has a mix of modern resort tourism and outdoor adventure. It has one of the oldest underwater cave systems at Lucayan National Park.
INAGUA: Popular for ecotours and home to one of the world's largest flamingo sanctuaries: the gangly pink birds outnumber people 60 to 1.
SAN SALDVADOR: It was on this 163-square-km isle that Columbus landed in 1492.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Bahamas Snowboarder Heats Up Vancouver
One Year From Now, Bahamians Hope to Be Cheering on First Winter Olympian, Korath Wright
February 19, 2009 – With only one 365 days to go until the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, something in the city was different last week. Far from the typical cold, rainy weather Vancouver is known for, the sun was out, and it felt like spring was in the air. Maybe it was just a random weather change, but quite possibly it was the arrival of Bahamian Snowboarder Korath Wright who brought the beautiful sunshine and warmth to town. Wright currently trains and lives in Vancouver, and was back in the city for the LG FIS Snowboard World Cup at Cypress Mountain, the home mountain for snowboarding at next year's Games.
The World Cup event coincided with the one-year countdown, and Wright joined in to help build the hype for the biggest event to ever hit Vancouver. But, if possible, the week was even more exciting for Wright, as he continues along his path to become the first Winter Olympian for his home country of the Bahamas! And no matter where he went while in Vancouver he was embraced by people who were eager to share his story, and support him in his efforts.
One of the highlights for Wright was the opportunity to join British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, VANOC Chairman of the Board Jack Poole, and a number of Canadian Olympians to announce an "Adopt a Country" program in front of hundreds of screaming school children. Wright spoke to the students about his chance to follow a dream, and how important it is for these students to embrace this opportunity and learn about many other countries, including the Bahamas.
Throughout the week, Korath also spoke to many media outlets in Vancouver, all of whom were huge supporters of his pursuit of achieving his goals and dreams. Among others, he conducted interviews with Entertainment Tonight Canada, CBC, CityTV's Breakfast Television, and the Olympic broadcast consortium.
And quite possibly the biggest smile for Korath came when he was hiking up the Halfpipe during training on competition day. When he looked up to hear what all the noise was about, he was greeted by a group of cheering fans waving their Bahamian flags, and chanting "BAHAMAS, BAHAMAS, BAHAMAS!" To be sure, the support of those fans and his country reinforced to everyone at Cypress Mountain that day, and particularly to Korath, that it's definitely “Better in the Bahamas."
And in celebration of the one-year countdown to the Olympics, and the first potential Winter Olympian from the Bahamas, two t-shirts have been designed. Show your support and excitement for Korath Wright and the Bahamas Snowboard Team by purchasing your favourite (or both!) at http://www.cameesa.com/.
For more frequent updates on Korath Wright and the Bahamas Snowboard Team, you can now join the "Bahamas Snowboard Team" group on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter through the account @BHS_Snowboard.
For more information, please contact:
betsy cooper
office: 778-329-7389
mobile: 778-229-4947
email: cooper@b-co.ca
February 19, 2009 – With only one 365 days to go until the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, something in the city was different last week. Far from the typical cold, rainy weather Vancouver is known for, the sun was out, and it felt like spring was in the air. Maybe it was just a random weather change, but quite possibly it was the arrival of Bahamian Snowboarder Korath Wright who brought the beautiful sunshine and warmth to town. Wright currently trains and lives in Vancouver, and was back in the city for the LG FIS Snowboard World Cup at Cypress Mountain, the home mountain for snowboarding at next year's Games.
The World Cup event coincided with the one-year countdown, and Wright joined in to help build the hype for the biggest event to ever hit Vancouver. But, if possible, the week was even more exciting for Wright, as he continues along his path to become the first Winter Olympian for his home country of the Bahamas! And no matter where he went while in Vancouver he was embraced by people who were eager to share his story, and support him in his efforts.
One of the highlights for Wright was the opportunity to join British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, VANOC Chairman of the Board Jack Poole, and a number of Canadian Olympians to announce an "Adopt a Country" program in front of hundreds of screaming school children. Wright spoke to the students about his chance to follow a dream, and how important it is for these students to embrace this opportunity and learn about many other countries, including the Bahamas.
Throughout the week, Korath also spoke to many media outlets in Vancouver, all of whom were huge supporters of his pursuit of achieving his goals and dreams. Among others, he conducted interviews with Entertainment Tonight Canada, CBC, CityTV's Breakfast Television, and the Olympic broadcast consortium.
And quite possibly the biggest smile for Korath came when he was hiking up the Halfpipe during training on competition day. When he looked up to hear what all the noise was about, he was greeted by a group of cheering fans waving their Bahamian flags, and chanting "BAHAMAS, BAHAMAS, BAHAMAS!" To be sure, the support of those fans and his country reinforced to everyone at Cypress Mountain that day, and particularly to Korath, that it's definitely “Better in the Bahamas."
And in celebration of the one-year countdown to the Olympics, and the first potential Winter Olympian from the Bahamas, two t-shirts have been designed. Show your support and excitement for Korath Wright and the Bahamas Snowboard Team by purchasing your favourite (or both!) at http://www.cameesa.com/.
For more frequent updates on Korath Wright and the Bahamas Snowboard Team, you can now join the "Bahamas Snowboard Team" group on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter through the account @BHS_Snowboard.
For more information, please contact:
betsy cooper
office: 778-329-7389
mobile: 778-229-4947
email: cooper@b-co.ca
UOMO Media Celebrates the Success of "NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY" the Debut Feature From The NE Inc's Charles Officer
Director Charles Officer's Film Opens Theatrically to Rave Reviews
UOMO Media Inc. (OTCBB: UOMO), a multi-channel entertainment company, is celebrating the theatrical release of The NE Inc.'s Director Charles Officer's film NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY. Charles Officer is one of the directors on roster at The NE Inc, a fully-owned subsidiary of UOMO Media and full service visual media content development company based in Toronto.
"We are thrilled about the critical success of Charles' stunning and visually unique film NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY," said Randall (RT!) Thorne, Executive Director, The NE Inc. "Charles is a rare find in the film world - he marries narrative, music and a visual style in ways most directors can only aspire."
The film has garnered attention of movie-goers and critics alike. The comments include:
"Officer, directs with both assurance and daring... and touches upon themes of faith and destiny while remaining unabashedly romantic." - Jesse Wente, Toronto International Film Festival
"One of the most beautiful and accomplished films to come out of the Canadian Film Centre, Nurse.Fighter.Boy has sights and sounds that linger in the memory." - Jennie Punter, The Globe and Mail
"Strong performances and striking cinematography help this first film by Toronto's Charles Officer move with more grace than its heavy-going storyline would have normally allowed." - The Toronto Star
To date, the Charles Officer directed film has toured the film festival circuit including The 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, The 2008 Atlantic Film Festival, The 2008 Festival Du Nouveau Cinema, and The 2008 Whistler Film Festival. The film is slated for its New York City premiere at the MoMA from March 18-23, 2009.
NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY. was written by Ingrid Veninger and Charles Officer. NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY is an urban love story about the soul of a mother, the heart of a fighter, and the faith of a child. The film stars Clark Johnson, Karen LeBlanc and Daniel J. Gordon. The film is a Canadian Film Centre feature film project with distribution from Mongrel Media.
About The NE Inc.
Based in Toronto, The NE Inc. is a full service visual media content development company. The firm is made up of a young collective of like-minded film and television professionals specializing in and developing some of the most pre-eminent visual media, music videos and film projects. In 2008, The NE Inc. produced almost 40 per cent of Canada's music industry promotions. http://www.thene.ca/.
About UOMO Media Inc.
UOMO Media Inc. is a multi-channel entertainment company that acquires, produces, and manages intellectual media content and digital assets. UOMO integrates existing and well-established revenue streams in recorded music, publishing, and talent management through its four operating divisions: UOMO Digital, UOMO Recorded Music, UOMO Talent Management, and UOMO Publishing. PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that by 2011, the global media and entertainment industry will be worth US$2 trillion. http://www.uomomedia.com/.
Contacts:
PUNCH Canada
Sarah Thompson(647) 837-1266
Email: sarah@punchcanada.com
UOMO Media Inc. (OTCBB: UOMO), a multi-channel entertainment company, is celebrating the theatrical release of The NE Inc.'s Director Charles Officer's film NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY. Charles Officer is one of the directors on roster at The NE Inc, a fully-owned subsidiary of UOMO Media and full service visual media content development company based in Toronto.
"We are thrilled about the critical success of Charles' stunning and visually unique film NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY," said Randall (RT!) Thorne, Executive Director, The NE Inc. "Charles is a rare find in the film world - he marries narrative, music and a visual style in ways most directors can only aspire."
The film has garnered attention of movie-goers and critics alike. The comments include:
"Officer, directs with both assurance and daring... and touches upon themes of faith and destiny while remaining unabashedly romantic." - Jesse Wente, Toronto International Film Festival
"One of the most beautiful and accomplished films to come out of the Canadian Film Centre, Nurse.Fighter.Boy has sights and sounds that linger in the memory." - Jennie Punter, The Globe and Mail
"Strong performances and striking cinematography help this first film by Toronto's Charles Officer move with more grace than its heavy-going storyline would have normally allowed." - The Toronto Star
To date, the Charles Officer directed film has toured the film festival circuit including The 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, The 2008 Atlantic Film Festival, The 2008 Festival Du Nouveau Cinema, and The 2008 Whistler Film Festival. The film is slated for its New York City premiere at the MoMA from March 18-23, 2009.
NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY. was written by Ingrid Veninger and Charles Officer. NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY is an urban love story about the soul of a mother, the heart of a fighter, and the faith of a child. The film stars Clark Johnson, Karen LeBlanc and Daniel J. Gordon. The film is a Canadian Film Centre feature film project with distribution from Mongrel Media.
About The NE Inc.
Based in Toronto, The NE Inc. is a full service visual media content development company. The firm is made up of a young collective of like-minded film and television professionals specializing in and developing some of the most pre-eminent visual media, music videos and film projects. In 2008, The NE Inc. produced almost 40 per cent of Canada's music industry promotions. http://www.thene.ca/.
About UOMO Media Inc.
UOMO Media Inc. is a multi-channel entertainment company that acquires, produces, and manages intellectual media content and digital assets. UOMO integrates existing and well-established revenue streams in recorded music, publishing, and talent management through its four operating divisions: UOMO Digital, UOMO Recorded Music, UOMO Talent Management, and UOMO Publishing. PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that by 2011, the global media and entertainment industry will be worth US$2 trillion. http://www.uomomedia.com/.
Contacts:
PUNCH Canada
Sarah Thompson(647) 837-1266
Email: sarah@punchcanada.com
Friday, February 13, 2009
National Post
Second cup lines up with Starbucks
National Post
Friday, February 13, 2009
Page: FP9 Section:
FP Marketing Byline: Hollie Shaw
Column: Marketing Report Source: Financial Post
Second Cup Ltd. and Starbucks Corp. have tied for the top spot in a mystery shopping survey assessing customer experience, according to Corbin Partners Inc., while industry giant Tim Hortons, routinely ranked one of the strongest brands in Canada, fell dead last. Corbin Partners sent mystery shoppers into 10 different locations of Canada's popular cafes last month at two different times of the day and scored the chains on such staff-controlled categories as promptness, employee courtesy, employee accuracy, store cleanliness and product availability. Second Cup ranked significantly above all other brands in promptness, taking one to two minutes from the time the customer walked in the door to delivery of a brewed coffee and a baked good. Starbucks came first in the courtesy category, boosted by an employee practice of initiating conversation with customers. Country Style was ranked third overall, while Timothy's and Coffee Time tied for fourth place. Tim Hortons, Canada's largest chain, ranked the lowest among the six major brands.
Starbucks at your service ... but not Timmies: Audit
Starbucks offers the best coffee-shop service in Toronto — followed only slightly by Second Cup — while Tim Hortons ranks at the bottom of the pot, according to a new private audit.
In a soon-to-be-published customer-experience audit conducted by CorbinPartners Inc. in Toronto, six major Canadian coffee shops in Toronto were ranked after a mysteryshopping spree. Customers were sent into 10 different locations of all six coffee franchises. The visitswere made at two different times of the day— the busy morning period and the laid-back afternoon hours.
Country Style ranked third in the customer-service audit, followed by Timothy’s World Coffee, Coffee Time and then Tim Hortons.
“During these economic times, customer experience is important because every dollar and cent matters,” said Jon Purther, chief operating officer of CorbinPartners. “We took it upon ourselves to do this study because the coffee experience is important to Canadians and, for many of them, it’s the key start of their day.”
Purther said his company’s findings will help Toronto coffee houses focus further on customer service.
Each location was scored on objective criteria within five staff-controlled categories: service promptness, employee courtesy, employee accuracy, store cleanliness and product availability.
Second Cup soared above its competitors in promptness, with customers getting their coffee order within two minutes of walking into the store.
“Starbucks,” the audit said, “came up first in the courtesy category – boosted by their employees’ proactive style of initiating conversation with customers. For example, ‘I love your coat’ or ‘We finally got some sunshine today, eh?’”
Tim Hortons scored no higher than fourth in every category, finishing at the bottom in cleanliness and employee courtesy
National Post
Friday, February 13, 2009
Page: FP9 Section:
FP Marketing Byline: Hollie Shaw
Column: Marketing Report Source: Financial Post
Second Cup Ltd. and Starbucks Corp. have tied for the top spot in a mystery shopping survey assessing customer experience, according to Corbin Partners Inc., while industry giant Tim Hortons, routinely ranked one of the strongest brands in Canada, fell dead last. Corbin Partners sent mystery shoppers into 10 different locations of Canada's popular cafes last month at two different times of the day and scored the chains on such staff-controlled categories as promptness, employee courtesy, employee accuracy, store cleanliness and product availability. Second Cup ranked significantly above all other brands in promptness, taking one to two minutes from the time the customer walked in the door to delivery of a brewed coffee and a baked good. Starbucks came first in the courtesy category, boosted by an employee practice of initiating conversation with customers. Country Style was ranked third overall, while Timothy's and Coffee Time tied for fourth place. Tim Hortons, Canada's largest chain, ranked the lowest among the six major brands.
Starbucks at your service ... but not Timmies: Audit
Starbucks offers the best coffee-shop service in Toronto — followed only slightly by Second Cup — while Tim Hortons ranks at the bottom of the pot, according to a new private audit.
In a soon-to-be-published customer-experience audit conducted by CorbinPartners Inc. in Toronto, six major Canadian coffee shops in Toronto were ranked after a mysteryshopping spree. Customers were sent into 10 different locations of all six coffee franchises. The visitswere made at two different times of the day— the busy morning period and the laid-back afternoon hours.
Country Style ranked third in the customer-service audit, followed by Timothy’s World Coffee, Coffee Time and then Tim Hortons.
“During these economic times, customer experience is important because every dollar and cent matters,” said Jon Purther, chief operating officer of CorbinPartners. “We took it upon ourselves to do this study because the coffee experience is important to Canadians and, for many of them, it’s the key start of their day.”
Purther said his company’s findings will help Toronto coffee houses focus further on customer service.
Each location was scored on objective criteria within five staff-controlled categories: service promptness, employee courtesy, employee accuracy, store cleanliness and product availability.
Second Cup soared above its competitors in promptness, with customers getting their coffee order within two minutes of walking into the store.
“Starbucks,” the audit said, “came up first in the courtesy category – boosted by their employees’ proactive style of initiating conversation with customers. For example, ‘I love your coat’ or ‘We finally got some sunshine today, eh?’”
Tim Hortons scored no higher than fourth in every category, finishing at the bottom in cleanliness and employee courtesy
Thursday, February 12, 2009
UOMO Media's The NE Inc. to Shoot a "Rockstar Supermodel"
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 12, 2009) - UOMO Media Inc. (OTCBB:UOMO), a multi-channel entertainment company, announced today The NE Inc.'s Executive Director, Randall (RT!) Thorne will shoot a music video starring the winner of "Rockstar Supermodel," a reality show on MuchMusic. The NE Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of UOMO Media."MuchMusic is an international hub for everything young and music oriented. We, at The NE Inc., have a long standing relationship with Much and it's programming so it seemed like another perfect chance to work with them again," said Randall (RT!) Thorne, Executive Director of The NE Inc. "It was a great collaboration and opportunity to show to viewers what goes into the rockstar life - including the artistry of music videos." "Rockstar Supermodel" challenged a cast of young, hot models to compete to be the next face for a celebrity clothing line, SD+R Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n Roll. The winner is featured in a video directed by RT! The winner was 26 year-old model Erin English from Toronto.
About UOMO Media Inc.
UOMO Media Inc. is a multi-channel entertainment company that acquires, produces, and manages intellectual media content. UOMO integrates existing and well-established revenue streams in recorded music, publishing, and talent management through its four operating divisions: UOMO Digital Distribution, UOMO Recorded Music, UOMO Talent Management, and UOMO Publishing. PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that by 2011, the global media and entertainment industry will be worth US$ 2 trillion.www.uomomedia.comwww.thene.ca
For more information, please contact
PUNCH Canada
Sarah Thompson
(647) 837-1266
Email: sarah@punchcanada.com
About UOMO Media Inc.
UOMO Media Inc. is a multi-channel entertainment company that acquires, produces, and manages intellectual media content. UOMO integrates existing and well-established revenue streams in recorded music, publishing, and talent management through its four operating divisions: UOMO Digital Distribution, UOMO Recorded Music, UOMO Talent Management, and UOMO Publishing. PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that by 2011, the global media and entertainment industry will be worth US$ 2 trillion.www.uomomedia.comwww.thene.ca
For more information, please contact
PUNCH Canada
Sarah Thompson
(647) 837-1266
Email: sarah@punchcanada.com
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Nutribar Punches Up Marketing Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NUTRIBAR® PUNCHES UP MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Enlists PUNCH Communications for product launch
TORONTO – February 10, 2009 – Stella Pharmaceutical announced the successful launch of their newly formulated meal replacement brand, Nutribar®. The campaign for Nutribar was executed via a national public relations, marketing and advertising program promoting the new formula, packaging and web site. The strategy and media relations for the launch were created and implemented by PUNCH Communications Inc.
“We’re excited about the integrated marketing launch for our Nutribar brand,” said Brenda Embree, VP Marketing, Stella Pharmaceutical. “We’ve implemented creative PR tactics, backed by a national interior transit advertising campaign and plan to keep the momentum going with online communications.”
To generate brand awareness for the product announcement, Nutribar commissioned Harris Decima to conduct a survey to better understand Canadian women’s perceptions of self image and nutrition habits. The survey results revealed that while Canadian women are well versed in good nutrition they face obstacles to eating healthy and often skip meals.
Nadeen Boman, nutritionist and host of Slice Network's 'The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp’ and ‘Bulging Brides’ was the lead spokesperson for English Canada while Canadian Olympic athlete Nathalie Lambert, was the spokesperson for the Quebec market.
To increase awareness for the product launch sampling was executed in Toronto at The Total Wedding Show in January. The sampling program is slated for more locations including select Town Shoes stores. Nutribar will also be initiating a contest with LaSenza and their new active wear line “Spirit”.
To complement the revamped formula, Nutribar also introduced new packaging that was designed to bring the product line into one cohesive look. Created by Marovino Visual Strategy the design enhances the brand’s communications that promise to deliver on satisfying hunger.
Also supporting the launch is the newly re-designed website (http://www.nutribar.com/) created by BAM Strategy and a national interior transit campaign with creative done by Wild Mouse Advertising and the ad buy conducted by VMC Media of Toronto.
About Nutribar
Nutribar shakes have been available in Canada since 1979 and bars since 1987. Nutribar is formulated under the meal replacement regulations of the Food and Drugs Act of Canada. Meal replacements provide the body with the equivalent of a complete nutritionally balanced meal but with lower caloric content than most regular meals. One Nutribar contains all the essential elements of a complete meal. For more information visit http://www.nutribar.com/
About PUNCH Canada
PUNCH is an award-winning public relations and marketing communications agency based in Toronto with affiliates across Canada and Europe. For more information visit: http://www.punchcanada.com/
NUTRIBAR® PUNCHES UP MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Enlists PUNCH Communications for product launch
TORONTO – February 10, 2009 – Stella Pharmaceutical announced the successful launch of their newly formulated meal replacement brand, Nutribar®. The campaign for Nutribar was executed via a national public relations, marketing and advertising program promoting the new formula, packaging and web site. The strategy and media relations for the launch were created and implemented by PUNCH Communications Inc.
“We’re excited about the integrated marketing launch for our Nutribar brand,” said Brenda Embree, VP Marketing, Stella Pharmaceutical. “We’ve implemented creative PR tactics, backed by a national interior transit advertising campaign and plan to keep the momentum going with online communications.”
To generate brand awareness for the product announcement, Nutribar commissioned Harris Decima to conduct a survey to better understand Canadian women’s perceptions of self image and nutrition habits. The survey results revealed that while Canadian women are well versed in good nutrition they face obstacles to eating healthy and often skip meals.
Nadeen Boman, nutritionist and host of Slice Network's 'The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp’ and ‘Bulging Brides’ was the lead spokesperson for English Canada while Canadian Olympic athlete Nathalie Lambert, was the spokesperson for the Quebec market.
To increase awareness for the product launch sampling was executed in Toronto at The Total Wedding Show in January. The sampling program is slated for more locations including select Town Shoes stores. Nutribar will also be initiating a contest with LaSenza and their new active wear line “Spirit”.
To complement the revamped formula, Nutribar also introduced new packaging that was designed to bring the product line into one cohesive look. Created by Marovino Visual Strategy the design enhances the brand’s communications that promise to deliver on satisfying hunger.
Also supporting the launch is the newly re-designed website (http://www.nutribar.com/) created by BAM Strategy and a national interior transit campaign with creative done by Wild Mouse Advertising and the ad buy conducted by VMC Media of Toronto.
About Nutribar
Nutribar shakes have been available in Canada since 1979 and bars since 1987. Nutribar is formulated under the meal replacement regulations of the Food and Drugs Act of Canada. Meal replacements provide the body with the equivalent of a complete nutritionally balanced meal but with lower caloric content than most regular meals. One Nutribar contains all the essential elements of a complete meal. For more information visit http://www.nutribar.com/
About PUNCH Canada
PUNCH is an award-winning public relations and marketing communications agency based in Toronto with affiliates across Canada and Europe. For more information visit: http://www.punchcanada.com/
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Bahamasweekly.com
Ministry of Tourism UpdatesCanada presents tourism boom for Bahamas
By Clarence Rolle, MOTFeb 6, 2009 - 6:43:08 AMThe Bahamas is on track for a double digit percentage increase in visitors from Canada for the third consecutive year, a tourism media expert revealed.
Stewart MacPhee, president and CEO of Punch Communications, said verified figures already show that the numbers of visitors to the Bahamas who originate from Canada have increased for the first 11 months of 2008 over 2007. Arrivals from January to November of 2008, are 18.7 percent greater than 2007 figures.
This would mean that the Bahamas would record substantial gains in attracting Canadian visitors in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Punch Communications had been directing the Bahamas’ public relations and advertising affairs in Canada over that period. It is likely that at least 115,000 visitors would be confirmed from Canada when the December arrivals are verified, Mr. MacPhee said.
So far, figures from Ministry of Tourism and Aviation research specialist Gary Young are heading in the direction of strong growth from the Canada market, he said.
We haven't seen the December figures yet, but based on some information that we have and conversations that we had with Gary, we are pleased to say that we are going to hit our target of 115,000 (visitors from Canada), he said.
Statistics chronicle a meteoric rise in the popularity of the Bahamas as a vacation destination for Canadians. In 2005, the Caribbean received 1.6 million visitors from Canada. In 2008, the number rose to 2.2 million - an increase of 37.5 percent. Over the same period, the Bahamas™ arrivals from Canada rose from 75,000 to 115,000 – an increase of 52 percent.
It means that traffic to the Bahamas from Canada is growing at a rate that is 40 percent faster than the market itself,Mr. MacPhee said. So that's all good news. And more good news is that foreign currency receipts grow as well. So what we are looking at from Canada in 2008 alone are foreign currency receipts of $173 million. Those are US dollars. So this is great news.
Mr. MacPhee pointed out that public relations forms the core of Punch Communications marketing and communications efforts for the Bahamas. The public relations efforts have national reach and are sustained throughout the year. Advertising is used to drive sales during the peak selling period of October to March. Internet efforts are now a 52-week commitment.
Two Female Olympians Join FitSpirit Team
Two Female Olympians Join FitSpirit Team
Emilie Heymans and Kathy Tremblay to Inspire Young Women To Participate in Sport
TORONTO and MONTREAL, Feb. 9 /CNW/ - Today, FitSpirit announced thatEmilie Heymans, three-time Olympic Medalist in diving, and Kathy Tremblay,Olympian and Triathlete, have joined the team as motivational speakers, whospeak to young women about the importance and value of sport. The currentFitSpirit team includes a wide variety of exceptional female athletes who usetheir experiences to speak to young women about adopting an active, healthyand well-balanced lifestyle. "FitSpirit is thrilled to have Emilie and Kathy join our growing team, asit helps us get our message out to more young girls about the importance ofathletics in their life," said Claudine LaBelle, founder of FitSpirit. "AtFitSpirit, we are looking to bring role models like Emilie and Kathy to sharetheir experiences with sport, nutrition and life. Young women need inspirationand we have a team that shows them how to elevate their lives through sport." "Empowering young women to see the value of sport in their lives isfulfilling," said Emilie Heymans. "The more girls there are playing sports,creates more self-confident women we will have in the world. I am proud to bea part of the FitSpirit team and tell young women about my experiences and howthey changed my life." Emilie Heymans, a three-time Olympic Silver Medalist, secured a medal in10M platform diving at the 2008 Bejing Olympics. At the 2004 Athens Olympics,Emilie won a bronze medal in the 10M synchro diving event with partner BlytheHartley. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Emilie won a silver medal in the 10Msynchro diving event with partner Anne Montminy. For further details on Emilieplease visit: http://www.emilieheymans.ca/ "Showing girls that being active is not only empowering but also cool,"said Kathy Tremblay. "FitSpirit provides a positive way to reach young womenin building their confidence to see the value of exercise, sport andnutrition." Kathy Tremblay, an Olympian and Triathlete, finished third in May 2006 inthe Mazatlan World Cup, making her the only Canadian woman to have a World Cuppodium finish. She finished second at the 2008 Pan American Championships inthe USA, and won the National Championship in 2007. For further details onKathy please visit: http://www.kathytremblay.ca/
FitSpirit currently has a strong roster of female athletes, who conductpresentations, physical activity sessions, and FitSpirit challenges, such asthe upcoming Snow Challenge at the Stoneham Mountain Resort on February 20thwhere two hundred girls are expected. Other athletes include: Isabelle Baird,an Olympic Triathlete, Andréanne Dumas-Lamarche, a river surfer, AndréanneÉthier-Chiasson, a champion wakeboarder, Audrey Lemieux, a cycling champion,Jennifer Botterill, Jayna Hefford, Cheryl Pounder and Sami Jo Small, alltwo-time Olympic Gold medalists in hockey, Tracey Ferguson, a paralympicathlete in basketball and athletism, Molly Killingbeck, a silver Olympicmedalist in Track & Field, Manon Jutras, an Olympic cyclist, AnoukLeblanc-Boucher, a two-time Olympic medalist in speed skating and AnnieMartin, an international beach volleyball player.
The FitSpirit program focuses on promoting health and physical activityamong female teenagers between 13 and 17 years old. FitSpirit presentsseminars at schools in Quebec and Ontario. Since 2007, FitSpirit has had anaudience of more than 25,000 female students in Quebec and Ontario. The femaleteenage membership for FitSpirit is 3,000 and growing. For more informationvisit www.fitspirit.ca.
For further information: Sarah Thompson, PUNCH Canada, (647) 837-1266, sarah@punchcanada.com
Emilie Heymans and Kathy Tremblay to Inspire Young Women To Participate in Sport
TORONTO and MONTREAL, Feb. 9 /CNW/ - Today, FitSpirit announced thatEmilie Heymans, three-time Olympic Medalist in diving, and Kathy Tremblay,Olympian and Triathlete, have joined the team as motivational speakers, whospeak to young women about the importance and value of sport. The currentFitSpirit team includes a wide variety of exceptional female athletes who usetheir experiences to speak to young women about adopting an active, healthyand well-balanced lifestyle. "FitSpirit is thrilled to have Emilie and Kathy join our growing team, asit helps us get our message out to more young girls about the importance ofathletics in their life," said Claudine LaBelle, founder of FitSpirit. "AtFitSpirit, we are looking to bring role models like Emilie and Kathy to sharetheir experiences with sport, nutrition and life. Young women need inspirationand we have a team that shows them how to elevate their lives through sport." "Empowering young women to see the value of sport in their lives isfulfilling," said Emilie Heymans. "The more girls there are playing sports,creates more self-confident women we will have in the world. I am proud to bea part of the FitSpirit team and tell young women about my experiences and howthey changed my life." Emilie Heymans, a three-time Olympic Silver Medalist, secured a medal in10M platform diving at the 2008 Bejing Olympics. At the 2004 Athens Olympics,Emilie won a bronze medal in the 10M synchro diving event with partner BlytheHartley. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Emilie won a silver medal in the 10Msynchro diving event with partner Anne Montminy. For further details on Emilieplease visit: http://www.emilieheymans.ca/ "Showing girls that being active is not only empowering but also cool,"said Kathy Tremblay. "FitSpirit provides a positive way to reach young womenin building their confidence to see the value of exercise, sport andnutrition." Kathy Tremblay, an Olympian and Triathlete, finished third in May 2006 inthe Mazatlan World Cup, making her the only Canadian woman to have a World Cuppodium finish. She finished second at the 2008 Pan American Championships inthe USA, and won the National Championship in 2007. For further details onKathy please visit: http://www.kathytremblay.ca/
FitSpirit currently has a strong roster of female athletes, who conductpresentations, physical activity sessions, and FitSpirit challenges, such asthe upcoming Snow Challenge at the Stoneham Mountain Resort on February 20thwhere two hundred girls are expected. Other athletes include: Isabelle Baird,an Olympic Triathlete, Andréanne Dumas-Lamarche, a river surfer, AndréanneÉthier-Chiasson, a champion wakeboarder, Audrey Lemieux, a cycling champion,Jennifer Botterill, Jayna Hefford, Cheryl Pounder and Sami Jo Small, alltwo-time Olympic Gold medalists in hockey, Tracey Ferguson, a paralympicathlete in basketball and athletism, Molly Killingbeck, a silver Olympicmedalist in Track & Field, Manon Jutras, an Olympic cyclist, AnoukLeblanc-Boucher, a two-time Olympic medalist in speed skating and AnnieMartin, an international beach volleyball player.
The FitSpirit program focuses on promoting health and physical activityamong female teenagers between 13 and 17 years old. FitSpirit presentsseminars at schools in Quebec and Ontario. Since 2007, FitSpirit has had anaudience of more than 25,000 female students in Quebec and Ontario. The femaleteenage membership for FitSpirit is 3,000 and growing. For more informationvisit www.fitspirit.ca.
For further information: Sarah Thompson, PUNCH Canada, (647) 837-1266, sarah@punchcanada.com
STARBUCKS AND SECOND CUP GRIND IT OUT FOR TOP CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE HONOURS
STARBUCKS AND SECOND CUP GRIND IT OUT FOR TOP CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE HONOURS
TORONTO, ON --- February 10, 2009 --- Second Cup is running neck-and-neck with Starbucks in customer experience, according to the most recent Corbin Customer Experience Audit conducted by CorbinPartners Inc. in January, 2009. In third place was Country Style, which placed ahead of Timothy’s World Coffee in customer service. Timothy’s and Coffee Time tied for fourth place, while Tim Hortons ranked the lowest among the six major brands.
The Corbin Customer Experience Audit is based on “mystery shopping,” sending customers into 10 different locations of Canada’s most well-known coffeehouse companies at two different times of day - the busy morning period and the laid-back afternoon period. Each location was scored on objective criteria within five staff-controlled categories: service promptness, employee courtesy, employee accuracy, store cleanliness and product availability.
“The Customer Experience Audit is the most statistically reliable measurement tool in the coffeehouse scene today,” said Dr. Ruth Corbin, CEO of CorbinPartners. “It incorporates the industry’s best practices for mystery shopping. You can trust these results.”
Second Cup soared above every other brand in promptness, taking only 1 to 2 minutes from the time the customer walked in the door, to delivery of a brewed coffee and a donut. Country Style was also very efficient in service time. Starbucks came up first in the courtesy category - boosted by their employees’ proactive style of initiating conversation with customers (For example: “I love your coat” or: “We finally got some sunshine today, eh?”). Timothy’s World Coffee scored the highest for store cleanliness - including cleanest floors, tables and bathrooms.
Tim Hortons scored no higher than fourth in every single category and was last in cleanliness and employee courtesy.
About CorbinPartners Inc.
CorbinPartners Inc (www.corbinpartners.com) is an established provider of corporate business intelligence, statistical measurement and forensic market research. It conducts customer experience audits in many retail areas, including coffee, house wares, cosmetics, cell phones and clothing.
For an interview on this audit, or to purchase a report of detailed findings and methodology, please contact Sarah Carnegie at CorbinPartners Inc. at: 416-413-7600.
For media interviews please contact: Sarah Thompson, PUNCH Canada, 647-837-1266, sarah@punchcanada.com
TORONTO, ON --- February 10, 2009 --- Second Cup is running neck-and-neck with Starbucks in customer experience, according to the most recent Corbin Customer Experience Audit conducted by CorbinPartners Inc. in January, 2009. In third place was Country Style, which placed ahead of Timothy’s World Coffee in customer service. Timothy’s and Coffee Time tied for fourth place, while Tim Hortons ranked the lowest among the six major brands.
The Corbin Customer Experience Audit is based on “mystery shopping,” sending customers into 10 different locations of Canada’s most well-known coffeehouse companies at two different times of day - the busy morning period and the laid-back afternoon period. Each location was scored on objective criteria within five staff-controlled categories: service promptness, employee courtesy, employee accuracy, store cleanliness and product availability.
“The Customer Experience Audit is the most statistically reliable measurement tool in the coffeehouse scene today,” said Dr. Ruth Corbin, CEO of CorbinPartners. “It incorporates the industry’s best practices for mystery shopping. You can trust these results.”
Second Cup soared above every other brand in promptness, taking only 1 to 2 minutes from the time the customer walked in the door, to delivery of a brewed coffee and a donut. Country Style was also very efficient in service time. Starbucks came up first in the courtesy category - boosted by their employees’ proactive style of initiating conversation with customers (For example: “I love your coat” or: “We finally got some sunshine today, eh?”). Timothy’s World Coffee scored the highest for store cleanliness - including cleanest floors, tables and bathrooms.
Tim Hortons scored no higher than fourth in every single category and was last in cleanliness and employee courtesy.
About CorbinPartners Inc.
CorbinPartners Inc (www.corbinpartners.com) is an established provider of corporate business intelligence, statistical measurement and forensic market research. It conducts customer experience audits in many retail areas, including coffee, house wares, cosmetics, cell phones and clothing.
For an interview on this audit, or to purchase a report of detailed findings and methodology, please contact Sarah Carnegie at CorbinPartners Inc. at: 416-413-7600.
For media interviews please contact: Sarah Thompson, PUNCH Canada, 647-837-1266, sarah@punchcanada.com
UOMO Media's Redzone Gets Grammy® Nod & Win
UOMO Media's Redzone Gets Grammy® Nod & Win
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 9, 2009) - UOMO Media Inc. (OTCBB:UOMO), a multi-channel entertainment company congratulates Redzone Entertainment on another Grammy® win at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles yesterday.Redzone Entertainment received Grammy® Best Contemporary R&B Album nominations for work on albums from Mary J. Blige and J. Holiday. The 51st Grammy Awards aired February 8th, 2009."UOMO would like to congratulate Tricky and the team at Redzone on their Grammy nominations," said Mr. Camara Alford, CEO and Chairman, UOMO Media Inc. "UOMO works with the most celebrated producers, writers, directors and artists in the world. Accolades such as the Grammy prove that our team continues to be the cream of the crop in the entertainment industry."Tricky Stewart and Terius "The Dream" Nash of Redzone collaborated with Mary J. Blige on many tracks off her Grammy nominated album "Growing Pains", including her hit "Just Fine", "Shake Down" featuring Usher, "Roses" and "Come to Me (Peace)". For J. Holiday's album "Back of My Lac", Tricky produced the hit track "Suffocate."Redzone Entertainment is signed under an exclusive international management agreement with UOMO Media. Redzone has credits on hits for Rihanna, Beyonce, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Usher, and others.
About UOMO Media Inc.
UOMO Media Inc. is a multi-channel entertainment company that acquires, produces, and manages intellectual media content. UOMO integrates existing and well-established revenue streams in recorded music, publishing, and talent management through its four operating divisions: UOMO Digital Distribution, UOMO Recorded Music, UOMO Talent Management, and UOMO Publishing. PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that by 2011, the global media and entertainment industry will be worth US$ 2 trillion. www.uomomedia.com.
For more information, please contact
PUNCH CanadaSarah Thompson(647) 837-1266Email: sarah@punchcanada.com
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 9, 2009) - UOMO Media Inc. (OTCBB:UOMO), a multi-channel entertainment company congratulates Redzone Entertainment on another Grammy® win at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles yesterday.Redzone Entertainment received Grammy® Best Contemporary R&B Album nominations for work on albums from Mary J. Blige and J. Holiday. The 51st Grammy Awards aired February 8th, 2009."UOMO would like to congratulate Tricky and the team at Redzone on their Grammy nominations," said Mr. Camara Alford, CEO and Chairman, UOMO Media Inc. "UOMO works with the most celebrated producers, writers, directors and artists in the world. Accolades such as the Grammy prove that our team continues to be the cream of the crop in the entertainment industry."Tricky Stewart and Terius "The Dream" Nash of Redzone collaborated with Mary J. Blige on many tracks off her Grammy nominated album "Growing Pains", including her hit "Just Fine", "Shake Down" featuring Usher, "Roses" and "Come to Me (Peace)". For J. Holiday's album "Back of My Lac", Tricky produced the hit track "Suffocate."Redzone Entertainment is signed under an exclusive international management agreement with UOMO Media. Redzone has credits on hits for Rihanna, Beyonce, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Usher, and others.
About UOMO Media Inc.
UOMO Media Inc. is a multi-channel entertainment company that acquires, produces, and manages intellectual media content. UOMO integrates existing and well-established revenue streams in recorded music, publishing, and talent management through its four operating divisions: UOMO Digital Distribution, UOMO Recorded Music, UOMO Talent Management, and UOMO Publishing. PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that by 2011, the global media and entertainment industry will be worth US$ 2 trillion. www.uomomedia.com.
For more information, please contact
PUNCH CanadaSarah Thompson(647) 837-1266Email: sarah@punchcanada.com
YIKES! 1 of 3 Canadian Women Battling Body Image
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
YIKES! 1 OF 3 CANADIAN WOMEN BATTLING BODY IMAGE
Lack of time takes bite out of good nutrition habits
TORONTO – January 27, 2009 – The mirror doesn’t lie. From muffin tops to thunder thighs, from junk in the trunk to flabby arms, Canadian women say they don’t like what they see.
One in three (36%) are not entirely happy with their body image, citing the above as their top problem areas, reveals a Harris Decima survey commissioned by Nutribar. The gamut ranges from coast to coast, with only half of B.C. (53%) women pleased, while in Quebec there’s a joie de vivre with 79% of women embracing their inner goddess.
Nutrition Savvy
When it comes to nutrition however, women are well versed with 92% aware of Canada’s Food Guide recommendations for healthy eating and only 5% citing lack of information as an obstacle to healthy eating. Despite this, many aren’t adhering to what’s best for their health – 43% skip meals with the number as high as 55% in Alberta.
“Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar causing sudden hunger pangs,” says nutritionist and Nutribar spokesperson Nadeen Boman. “Women pressed for time should consider a meal replacement like Nutribar which contains the appropriate balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat as well as vitamins and minerals you would expect from a complete meal as mandated by Health Canada.”
Obstacles to Embracing Good Nutrition
Canadian women lead busy lives and are on the go with almost 30 % saying the biggest obstacle to eating healthy is a lack of time to prepare meals (29%) followed by eating on the run (21%). With the present economic climate many women are finding the cost of healthy food a barrier (18%) with price being a top concern in Atlantic Canada (29%) and B.C. (21%). Rounding out the list is the constant struggle to avoid temptation of easy access to cheap, fast food (13%).
Battling the Bulge
One in four women has taken to dieting in the last year with the 18-24 age group skewing the highest (31%). Quebec women are most secure with their weight with only 11% having reduced caloric intake versus 34 % of B.C. women and 28 % of Ontario’s femmes.
“There are many ways in which women can manage their weight and adhere to great nutrition,” added Boman. “When on the go, choose a meal replacement bar like Nutribar which contains balanced nutrition and sufficient calories unlike other protein, energy and nutritional supplement bars.”
About Nutribar
Nutribar shakes have been available in Canada since 1979 and bars since 1987. Nutribar is formulated under the meal replacement regulations of the Food and Drugs Act of Canada. Meal replacements provide the body with the equivalent of a complete nutritionally balanced meal but with lower caloric content than most regular meals. One Nutribar contains all the essential elements of a complete meal. For more information visit www.nutribar.com
About Nadeen Boman
Nadeen Boman is a nutrition coach, certified personal trainer and the no-nonsense co-host of Slice Network's reality TV shows 'Bulging Brides' and 'The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp'. Nadeen's passion for the health and fitness industry developed after taking personal training to relieve the stress and monotony of her desk job. On seeing and feeling the results she subsequently left her position and pursued a career helping others make healthy changes to their life. Nadeen went onto create her own fitness boot camp series and work as a private fitness consultant before being cast for the shows. Nadeen's goal is to empower people to look and feel their best through fitness and nutrition coaching.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted by Harris/Decima between January 8 and January 18th, 2009 via a national omnibus telephone survey among a representative sample of 1,022 Canadian women. The margin of error is +/-3.1%.
###
For more information, an interview with Nadeen Boman and full survey results contact:
Danna Barak danna@punchcanada.com 416-360-6522 x240 or Olga Petrycki olga@punchcanada.com 416-360-6522 x226
YIKES! 1 OF 3 CANADIAN WOMEN BATTLING BODY IMAGE
Lack of time takes bite out of good nutrition habits
TORONTO – January 27, 2009 – The mirror doesn’t lie. From muffin tops to thunder thighs, from junk in the trunk to flabby arms, Canadian women say they don’t like what they see.
One in three (36%) are not entirely happy with their body image, citing the above as their top problem areas, reveals a Harris Decima survey commissioned by Nutribar. The gamut ranges from coast to coast, with only half of B.C. (53%) women pleased, while in Quebec there’s a joie de vivre with 79% of women embracing their inner goddess.
Nutrition Savvy
When it comes to nutrition however, women are well versed with 92% aware of Canada’s Food Guide recommendations for healthy eating and only 5% citing lack of information as an obstacle to healthy eating. Despite this, many aren’t adhering to what’s best for their health – 43% skip meals with the number as high as 55% in Alberta.
“Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar causing sudden hunger pangs,” says nutritionist and Nutribar spokesperson Nadeen Boman. “Women pressed for time should consider a meal replacement like Nutribar which contains the appropriate balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat as well as vitamins and minerals you would expect from a complete meal as mandated by Health Canada.”
Obstacles to Embracing Good Nutrition
Canadian women lead busy lives and are on the go with almost 30 % saying the biggest obstacle to eating healthy is a lack of time to prepare meals (29%) followed by eating on the run (21%). With the present economic climate many women are finding the cost of healthy food a barrier (18%) with price being a top concern in Atlantic Canada (29%) and B.C. (21%). Rounding out the list is the constant struggle to avoid temptation of easy access to cheap, fast food (13%).
Battling the Bulge
One in four women has taken to dieting in the last year with the 18-24 age group skewing the highest (31%). Quebec women are most secure with their weight with only 11% having reduced caloric intake versus 34 % of B.C. women and 28 % of Ontario’s femmes.
“There are many ways in which women can manage their weight and adhere to great nutrition,” added Boman. “When on the go, choose a meal replacement bar like Nutribar which contains balanced nutrition and sufficient calories unlike other protein, energy and nutritional supplement bars.”
About Nutribar
Nutribar shakes have been available in Canada since 1979 and bars since 1987. Nutribar is formulated under the meal replacement regulations of the Food and Drugs Act of Canada. Meal replacements provide the body with the equivalent of a complete nutritionally balanced meal but with lower caloric content than most regular meals. One Nutribar contains all the essential elements of a complete meal. For more information visit www.nutribar.com
About Nadeen Boman
Nadeen Boman is a nutrition coach, certified personal trainer and the no-nonsense co-host of Slice Network's reality TV shows 'Bulging Brides' and 'The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp'. Nadeen's passion for the health and fitness industry developed after taking personal training to relieve the stress and monotony of her desk job. On seeing and feeling the results she subsequently left her position and pursued a career helping others make healthy changes to their life. Nadeen went onto create her own fitness boot camp series and work as a private fitness consultant before being cast for the shows. Nadeen's goal is to empower people to look and feel their best through fitness and nutrition coaching.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted by Harris/Decima between January 8 and January 18th, 2009 via a national omnibus telephone survey among a representative sample of 1,022 Canadian women. The margin of error is +/-3.1%.
###
For more information, an interview with Nadeen Boman and full survey results contact:
Danna Barak danna@punchcanada.com 416-360-6522 x240 or Olga Petrycki olga@punchcanada.com 416-360-6522 x226
BUDGET CONSCIOUS? EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS
For immediate release:
BUDGET CONSCIOUS? EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS
The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show showcases family fun for any budget
TORONTO – February 9, 2009 – With many feeling the economic pinch, families are looking for ways to bond on a budget. Whatever the season enjoying the outdoors is a great way for families to spend time together. To help plan your open air adventure The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show, taking place March 18th to 22nd, offers an abundance of great ideas for outdoor family fun. Whether you are interested in camping, fishing, hiking, canoeing or boating, the show offers something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Discover Camping
Camping isn’t just for boy scouts exploring the rugged wilderness. Today’s camper can enjoy a broad range of comforts ranging from comfortable mattresses, compact chairs and solar powered satellite phones. The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show showcases the latest in camping equipment, maps, facilities and destinations. Experts will be on-hand to lead even the most novice campers towards the sweet smell of ‘smores. For those who have taken the trail before, the show will offer new, off the beaten path ideas for creating the ultimate wilderness experience.
Go Fish
If the family thinks “go fish” is only a card game, then it’s time to get them outside to cast a real reel! The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show has everything you need to get you started on your fishing expedition – from rods and nets to boats and paddles. If you are eager to start casting right away, be sure to check out the $75,000 Toronto Sun Casting Pond or the Fly Fishing Demo Area. Already an avid fisherman? Seek out some expert advice from fishing gurus at the Toyota/Fish TV Pro Fishing Seminars.
Man’s Best Friend
When considering quality time with the family, one can’t forget the trusty family dog and this year’s show is filled with “all things dog”. Leading the charge is the popular Purina Pro Plan All Star Dog Show featuring the famous McCann dogs. Watch these amazing animals as they go through their paces in the agility trials. Other professionals, Dogs with Jobs, will showcase their canine prowess taking down criminals and simulating Search and Rescue missions. Audiences will marvel at the gravity defying Big Air Dog Show and for those looking to gain a new best friend, the Rare Breed Dog Show showcases some of the world’s most exotic dogs. No matter your interest, the show is a one-stop destination for all the dog lovers in your family.
Don’t have a bird…
If you are still searching for inspiration on the outdoors, the best place to look is up. As always, birds are front and centre at The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show. The majestic birds of prey exhibit showcases some of North America's endangered species up close and personal including the Peregrine Falcon, Eastern North American Barn Owls and Bald Eagles. Family favourites the North American Great Horned Owls and Red-tailed Hawks will also be on hand.
The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show runs from March 18 to March 22, 2009 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place. For complete show information visit www.sportsmensshows.com/Toronto
What: The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show
When: Wednesday, March 18th, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 19th, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 20th, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 21st, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 22nd, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place
Details: Adults: $17.00
Juniors: $10.00 (ages 6-15)
Seniors: $10.00 (age 65+)
Children: Free when accompanied by an adult (under six years)
Family pass: $40.00 (two adults & two juniors)
For more information:
Harley Austin, Show Manager
Tel: 905-361-5233
Toll free: 888.695.2677
E-mail: austin@sportshows.ca
For media registration and to receive show updates please contact:
Olga Petrycki
PUNCH Canada Inc.
T: 416.360.6522 x.226
E: mailto:danna@punchcanada.com
About CNSS
CNSS is a non-profit corporation and the largest producer of boat, fishing, sportsmen’s, ski, outdoor and motorcycle shows in Canada. Through its family of shows, the corporation raises funds to ensure that generations of young Canadians can benefit from Canada’s outdoors. Since the first show held in 1948, more than $30,000,000 has been committed to these causes.
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BUDGET CONSCIOUS? EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS
The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show showcases family fun for any budget
TORONTO – February 9, 2009 – With many feeling the economic pinch, families are looking for ways to bond on a budget. Whatever the season enjoying the outdoors is a great way for families to spend time together. To help plan your open air adventure The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show, taking place March 18th to 22nd, offers an abundance of great ideas for outdoor family fun. Whether you are interested in camping, fishing, hiking, canoeing or boating, the show offers something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Discover Camping
Camping isn’t just for boy scouts exploring the rugged wilderness. Today’s camper can enjoy a broad range of comforts ranging from comfortable mattresses, compact chairs and solar powered satellite phones. The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show showcases the latest in camping equipment, maps, facilities and destinations. Experts will be on-hand to lead even the most novice campers towards the sweet smell of ‘smores. For those who have taken the trail before, the show will offer new, off the beaten path ideas for creating the ultimate wilderness experience.
Go Fish
If the family thinks “go fish” is only a card game, then it’s time to get them outside to cast a real reel! The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show has everything you need to get you started on your fishing expedition – from rods and nets to boats and paddles. If you are eager to start casting right away, be sure to check out the $75,000 Toronto Sun Casting Pond or the Fly Fishing Demo Area. Already an avid fisherman? Seek out some expert advice from fishing gurus at the Toyota/Fish TV Pro Fishing Seminars.
Man’s Best Friend
When considering quality time with the family, one can’t forget the trusty family dog and this year’s show is filled with “all things dog”. Leading the charge is the popular Purina Pro Plan All Star Dog Show featuring the famous McCann dogs. Watch these amazing animals as they go through their paces in the agility trials. Other professionals, Dogs with Jobs, will showcase their canine prowess taking down criminals and simulating Search and Rescue missions. Audiences will marvel at the gravity defying Big Air Dog Show and for those looking to gain a new best friend, the Rare Breed Dog Show showcases some of the world’s most exotic dogs. No matter your interest, the show is a one-stop destination for all the dog lovers in your family.
Don’t have a bird…
If you are still searching for inspiration on the outdoors, the best place to look is up. As always, birds are front and centre at The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show. The majestic birds of prey exhibit showcases some of North America's endangered species up close and personal including the Peregrine Falcon, Eastern North American Barn Owls and Bald Eagles. Family favourites the North American Great Horned Owls and Red-tailed Hawks will also be on hand.
The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show runs from March 18 to March 22, 2009 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place. For complete show information visit www.sportsmensshows.com/Toronto
What: The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show
When: Wednesday, March 18th, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 19th, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 20th, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 21st, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 22nd, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place
Details: Adults: $17.00
Juniors: $10.00 (ages 6-15)
Seniors: $10.00 (age 65+)
Children: Free when accompanied by an adult (under six years)
Family pass: $40.00 (two adults & two juniors)
For more information:
Harley Austin, Show Manager
Tel: 905-361-5233
Toll free: 888.695.2677
E-mail: austin@sportshows.ca
For media registration and to receive show updates please contact:
Olga Petrycki
PUNCH Canada Inc.
T: 416.360.6522 x.226
E: mailto:danna@punchcanada.com
About CNSS
CNSS is a non-profit corporation and the largest producer of boat, fishing, sportsmen’s, ski, outdoor and motorcycle shows in Canada. Through its family of shows, the corporation raises funds to ensure that generations of young Canadians can benefit from Canada’s outdoors. Since the first show held in 1948, more than $30,000,000 has been committed to these causes.
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