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Hot Wheels® Partners With The Fazzt Race Team and Canadian Driver, Alex Tagliani, this Summer for the Indycar Races in Canada

June 30, 2010 | Toronto | gci clients

One-of-a-kind #77 Indy Racing League® Hot Wheels® racecar to be unveiled in Toronto on July 14th

Hot Wheels® and the FAZZT Race Team are excited to announce a partnership that is sure to race straight to the hearts of IndyCar fans across Canada. This July, at the Honda Indy Toronto and Honda Indy Edmonton, FAZZT Race Team driver and the only Canadian scheduled to race in all IndyCar races this year, Alex Tagliani, will be racing in a brand new Honda IndyCar, customized in Hot Wheels® style. The car will be unveiled for the first time at the Honda IndyFest on July 14th at Yonge and Dundas Square in Toronto.

"Hot Wheels® is about providing thrilling vehicle experiences to boys of all ages who are looking to fuel their passion for speed, power and performance," says Melissa Chau, Hot Wheels® Assistant Brand Manager for Mattel Canada. "We are so excited to see this vision brought to life through our partnership with the FAZZT Race Team and Canada's very own Alex Tagliani."

Tagliani's racecar, fire suit and his pit crew's uniforms will all be designed by the Hot Wheels creative team with an entirely new, custom design scheme that reflects Alex's fearless and competitive driving style on the racetrack. "This year, we are thrilled to expand our presence on the track with this one-of-a kind racecar look that only Hot Wheels can provide," says Chau.

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Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Gears Up
for its Summer Road Trip Across Canada

June 29, 2010 | Toronto | gci clients

The World’s #1 Toy Vehicle Unveils its First-Ever Life-Size Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Car

Hot Wheels® is thrilled to announce the launch of the Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Road Trip across Canada this summer. The life-size Hot Wheels® colour-shifting Ford Mustang and the Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Trailer will zoom across the country visiting over 50 festivals, camps and family events in various towns and cities. The Road Trip runs all summer long from July to September, giving Canadians of all ages a chance to change the colour of the car themselves. Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ cars use thermochromatic paint - a revolutionary colour memory technology that creates multi-coloured changes - adding a new element of excitement and surprise to the classic Hot Wheels® car.

The Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Road Trip kicks off in Toronto on Tuesday, June 29th – the last day of school – at Yonge and Dundas Square from 6 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to get a sneak peek at the Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Mustang. Kids who attend the launch event and Road Trip stops can change the colour of the car, play with Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ toys and will also receive a special Hot Wheels® collector booklet, T-shirt and more.

“We are very excited for Canada to see the super cool life-size Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Mustang in their town or city,” says Melissa Chau, Hot Wheels® Assistant Brand Manager for Mattel Canada. “These little cars have had a big impact on children and adults alike and it’s great to showcase the Hot Wheels® brand on the grassroots level and remind Canadians why generations have grown up playing with, trading and collecting Hot Wheels®”.

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Fox's Live Extras Opens The Viewing Experience To A Whole New World with the Blu-Ray Launch of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

June 28, 2010 | Toronto | gci clients

Unlock Exciting Content Through Internet Connected Blu-ray Players For Several Fox Family Favorites Including The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment continues to offer fans new and exciting material through LIVE EXTRAS, expanding with the Blu-ray release of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Launching on June 29, consumers that purchase the disc will be able to access exclusive never-before-seen clips via their network connected Blu-ray player and BD-Live. Additionally, some of the studios biggest family hits will debut all-new content through the LIVE EXTRAS program including Fantastic Mr. Fox, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and Tooth Fairy.

Innovative, clever and easy to use, LIVE EXTRAS opens a gateway for fans to see the newest content the studio has to offer for movies in theaters and on Blu-ray at no additional cost. Simply insert the disc into a BD-Live enabled player, internet access the main menu and the fantastic new footage will be just a few short clicks away. This is only the beginning as Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will continue to expand the BD-Live experience throughout the year by releasing all-new extras for some of their classic horror, action and comedy titles. "We are just scratching the surface on how a Blu-ray player can enhance the consumer's experience in the home, said Mary Daily, Executive Vice President, Marketing, North America for Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. "LIVE EXTRAS opens a doorway to an innovative experience that can only be possible through Blu-ray."

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Nearly One in Five Canadian Mothers Struggle to Provide Diapers for their Babies

June 17, 2010 | Toronto | gci clients

A groundbreaking study reveals a startling issue - nearly one in five Canadian mothers are struggling to provide diapers for their babies. These mothers have had to cut back on basics such as food, utilities like heat or electricity, or even child care in order to provide enough diapers.

"This study helps us understand a serious issue that has been largely unrecognized until now 'diaper need' - mothers struggling to provide diapers for their babies. With the Every Little Bottom Study we are now able to understand the implications not having enough diapers has on both mothers and babies. It shows how small things, like diapers, really do make a big difference in the lives of Canadian families," said Dr. Nicole Letourneau, a lead researcher on the study and professor at the University of New Brunswick.

"The ritual of diapering is one that creates a bonding experience between mothers and babies. Without enough diapers for the necessary routine changes, mothers and babies are feeling distressed which makes the bonding process as well as the job of parenting more difficult."

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GCI Group Announces Three Promotions in the Consumer Lifestyle and Technology Practices

June 04, 2010 | Toronto | gci news

Leading public relations agency GCI Group is pleased to announce three promotions within its Consumer Lifestyle and Technology practice groups. Naz Araghian has been promoted to the position of Senior Consultant in the Consumer Lifestyle practice while Johanna VanderMaas and Devon Burke have been promoted to the position of Consultant, Consumer Lifestyle practice and Consultant, Technology practice, respectively.

Naz Araghian joined GCI Group in November 2008 bringing with her 3 years of experience in consumer and healthcare public relations. Since that time she has worked on numerous successful campaigns for clients, including Amgen, Mattel, Huggies, LoyaltyOne, Tao Ti, Durex and others. Some of her recent work includes raising awareness for colorectal cancer treatments, celebrating several Mattel product launches for Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price, as well as launching Tao Ti, a new green tea beverage.

"GCI has provided me with the opportunity to work with amazing, high-profile clients and an inspiring team," said Araghian. "I am thrilled to take on new challenges and continue to grow professionally as a member of this dynamic agency."

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GCI Group Announces Alliance with Vancouver-based Burrard Communications Inc.

June 02, 2010 | Toronto | gci news

GCI Group announced today that it has formed an alliance with Burrard Communications Inc. of Vancouver, B.C.
“Our relationship with Burrard allows us to offer GCI clients particular depth in British Columbia and reinforces our commitment to delivering significantly high calibre, select counsel across the country, “said Ken Bossenkool, Senior Counsel, GCI Public Affairs, Ottawa.  “We look forward to making future announcements regarding our growing national presence.”

"I am very pleased to be able to work with such a well-regarded team of communications experts,” said Mark Marissen, principal, Burrard Communications. “Burrard’s experience will compliment GCI’s public affairs activities in British Columbia and will allow Burrard clients to have access to GCI’s growing public affairs practice in the nation’s capital, Ottawa, and a strong communications team in Toronto."

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GCI Group Promotes Luke Southern
and Welcomes Bernice Couto

May 26, 2010 | Toronto | gci news

Leading public relations agency GCI Group has promoted Luke Southern to the position of Digital Strategist and Bernice Couto has joined the consumer practice group as a Senior Consultant.

"We are delighted to promote Luke and welcome Bernice as our business continues to expand. This year GCI's proposition particularly resonated with the introduction of our public affairs offering and the deepening of our social media credentials," said Marion MacKenzie, President of GCI Group.

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Come Get a Taste of PEI

May 21, 2010 | Charlottetown, PEI | gci clients

Tourism Prince Edward Island Invites Canada to Join the Island Kitchen Party At the 65th Tulip Festival in Ottawa

Tourism Prince Edward Island (TPEI) announces today its Island Kitchen Party which takes place at Major's Hill Park at 1 Rideau Street in Ottawa from May 22-24 at the 65th Annual Canadian Tulip Festival. TPEI invites the whole family to come down and experience a little piece of PEI, including food tastings as well as appearances from Chef Michael Smith, the Island's food ambassador, Anne Chouinard resident golf expert and award-winning musicians Chuck & Albert and the Grass Mountain Hobos.

"Prince Edward Island is a lively place, with friendly people, amazing food, world-class golf courses and a rich culture," says Robert Vessey, Prince Edward Island Minister of Tourism and Culture. "We are thrilled to hold an Island Kitchen Party in the country's capital, to offer the rest of Canada a taste of all the treasures we have on the Island."

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GCI Group Receives Ovation Award of Merit

May 07, 2010 | Toronto | gci news

On Thursday, May 2, GCI Group picked up a 2010 IABC (Toronto) Ovation Award of Merit for their work on the 3M integrated marketing communications campaign entitled Canadians Love to Snoop. The campaign was designed to elevate brand awareness of 3M Privacy Filters and ensure that Canadians, especially while travelling, are keeping their content on their laptops and mobile devices safe from prying eyes. It was a proud moment for Ashley Curran and Johanna VanderMass who lead the project as these awards are a true testament to the passion, enthusiasm and great work the GCI team consistently strives to bring to our clients and our colleagues.

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GCI Group Welcomes Sylvia Sicuso as Director,
Consumer Lifestyle

May 03, 2010 | Toronto | gci clients

GCI Group announced today that Sylvia Sicuso has joined the agency as Director, Consumer Lifestyle

“We are delighted to welcome Sylvia as part of our commitment to having the most dynamic and strategic consumer practice group in Canada,” said Marion MacKenzie, President of GCI Canada. “Sylvia’s portfolio of experience and expertise continues to build on GCI’s significant experience in the retail sector and will allow us to grow our food and health and wellness offerings.”

Most recently Sylvia was an Account Director at APEX Public relations where she developed strategic communications programs for some of Canada’s top brands including Kao Brands Canada, Kellogg’s Canada, Yoplait, LASIK MD, Breastlight, Nike Canada, Levi Strauss Jeans, Second Cup, Cara Food, Kraft Canada and Jamieson Laboratories.  She also brings experience from her time at National Public Relations and as a Marketing Research Analyst at Ipso-ASI.

Flicka2: Meet Michael Damian and Reilly Dolman!

April 30, 2010 | Toronto | gci clients

Autograph Signing at HMV First Canadian Place: Monday, May 3, 2010 from 12pm to 2pm

To celebrate the launch of Flicka 2 on DVD, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is holding a special autograph signing session with director Michael Damian (of Young and the Restless fame) and Canadian actor Reilly Dolman. Advance copies of Flicka 2 will be available for sale to all who attend the signing.

WHERE:
HMV
First Canadian Place
100 King Street West (at Bay St.)

WHEN:
Monday, May 3, 2010 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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