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
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