Advertising Week is an annual event spearheaded by the Institute of Communication Agencies. A pow wow to recognize the accomplishments of the Canadian communications industry, the week saw parties, business workshops, a speaker series, The CASSIES and the famous Ad Ball.
I was blown away by the caliber of the event. The CASSIES was classy, their speakers informative, and every thing else from CANNES Screeners and their youth program ran like clockwork. Ad Week was everything it said it would be.
Above is a photo of industry icon and Canadian legend, Miles Nadal, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of MDC Partners Inc during the Breakfast Launch. He is pointing to a "bright young gentleman" in the crowd, spoke about recent MDC expansion and acquisitions, and his perspective on the advertising industry’s opportunities and challenges.
Other informative sessions include the day-long convention titled "Leading Social Change" with MP Justin Trudeau as keynote speaker. It was a sold out event filled with communicators and government workers interested in creating positive change through the partnership of public policy and advertising. I sat with several government decision makers and it was novel to have a face to face dialog about corporate responsibility.
Lastly, a highlight of Advertising Week! Titled "In Conversation with Marketer and Entrepreneur Gene Simmons", the multi-media magnate was invited to share some insight into his business. I appreciated his candor, and more so his gracious ability to juggle his speech about merchandising whilst giving autographs to his fans in the audience.
In all, Advertising Week is a great opportunity to rub shoulders with the most influential people in the communications industry. Taken seriously, you may just spark an idea that the rest of the world, or at least Canada, will see. I won't be missing next year's event.