Toronto, March 13, 2013 – Rouge Media Group is very pleased with the decision by the Court of Appeal of Quebec, dated March 13, 2013, that has totally granted its appeal against Zoom Media, thus reversing the Superior Court of Quebec’s decision, issued on April 6, 2011, that was forbidding Rouge Media to put its large and attractive advertising billboards in the establishments where Zoom Media has small restroom billboards.

The Court of Appeal explains that 98 percent of Zoom advertising inventory is composed of small advertising billboards (12 x 17 inches) used in restrooms while Rouge is offering its clients very different products, usually giant billboard banners (5 x7 ft.).  Zoom exclusivity is therefore limited to restrooms.

“We are very satisfied with this decision which is aligned with the favorable judgment issued on January 23 in the case of Rouge Media versus Newad Media. These two decisions are putting an end to a more than five year old litigation. The latest decision clearly acknowledges, once more, that we have always conducted our business activities in good faith for 10 years, in full compliance with the law and respect of our network partners, advertisers and agencies. Our advertising activities are innovative and beneficial for our partners, without creating any prejudice” said Martin Poitras, president of Rouge Media Group.

Rouge Media will continue to pursue its development plan and growth strategy, which are based on innovative products and the quality of the service it provides clients and partner-establishments.

Since its inception, Rouge Media has offered its clients winning media solutions and activation opportunities to reach their target audiences. Today, Rouge Media has more than 2,000 partners in Canada, including more than 700 establishments in its restaurant-bar network, more than 70 establishments on college and university campuses, more than 700 beauty salons and spas, and some 500-plus websites.

About Rouge Media Inc.

For the past 10 years, Rouge Media Group has developed best-in-class successful media concepts aimed at the 18-to-49 demographic by offering high-quality media spaces and promotional activation opportunities to advertisers and advertising agencies. At the same time, it has supported post-secondary educational institutions, as well as the most popular restaurant-bars and leading beauty salons in the country. With offices in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver, Rouge Media offers four distinct and unique networks: Campus, Resto-Bar, Digital and Beauty. Rouge Media is an innovator, developing its networks by applying its WIN2 philosophy with advertisers and their consumers, and with its partners in various campaigns.

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 “Paul is a reputable senior sales and marketing executive within the media industry who brings a proven track record of success working hand in hand with Montreal advertising agencies. Paul has a natural ability to make people confortable and engaged.  It is clear to Rouge that successful media suppliers are the ones to propose real business partnerships to advertisers and agencies, not simply cookie cutter media plans.  Paul suits the bill and we are proud to have him join our team” says Martin Poitras, President.

 For the past 10 years, Rouge Media Group has developed best-in-class successful media opportunities aimed at the 18-to-49 demographic by offering high-quality media spaces and promotional activation opportunities to advertisers and advertising agencies. At the same time, it has supported post-secondary educational institutions, as well as the most popular resto-bars and leading beauty salons in the country. With offices in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver, Rouge Media offers five distinct and unique networks: Campus, Resto-Bar, Digital, Beauty and Experiential.

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If you haven’t heard a word about “Google Glass” yet, there are two possibilities: one, you are completely disconnected to any and all social media networks (Google Glass has been ‘trending’ for the past month); or two, you’ve been living under a rock. Seems to me that talk of Google Glass, which is scheduled to officially land in Google retail stores in 2014, is sweeping the globe.

This morning I came across a short article posted in ADWEEK,”Why Brands Are Already Looking at Google Glass, and Why Apple Should be Worried”, which raises several interesting and debatable questions. Let’s consider the proposed ‘qualm’ for Apple and other smart phone companies alike. Will this new remarkable technology really take over, leaving smart phones in the dust? My opinion – not a chance. The article states, “—it is not a phone; it is a really extravagant expansion for your current phone, like a BlueTooth headset for your eyes.”

Google Glass, without a doubt, pushes current technological boundaries; it is “digitally-enhanced headware”. Sure it will have various essential functions that smart phones already enable us to do, such as, “playing games, recording videos, ‘second-screening’ and finding local business on the go,” but it will never fully substitute or replace the smartphone. We are a busy society, always on the lookout for a quick fix and convenience. Smartphones are the full package and now with FaceTime and ‘second-screen’ capabilities, the iPhone is arguably the hottest and most ‘advanced’ item on the market.

It’s safe to say that the Google Glass will definitely have its spotlight as soon as it hits stores next year – but will it live up to the hype and potentially kick smart phones to the curb? We’ll have to wait and see but I predict it may be an unattainable (priced at $1,500) tech toy that will fall short of the buzz.

See the Google Glass video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=v1uyQZNg2vE

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Biens des questions se posent à la veille du lancement du Blackberry 10. Serait-ce la lumière au bout du tunnel après avoir encaissé des pertes de plusieurs milliards l’an dernier, ou bien alors, le chapitre final de cette entreprise qui fut jadis une fierté nationale?

Les analystes sont sceptiques présentement et seulement une batterie de tests approfondis risque de faire revenir la confiance chez ces derniers. Ceci ne sera toutefois pas garant de la bonne performance en magasin de l’appareil. Après avoir subi une panne majeur de système global l’an dernier, et les appareils de RIM souvent libellés d’archaïques par les technocrates, la remonté s’annonce pénible!

Toutefois, on peut voir du positif dans toute cette aventure, le nouveau Blackberry 10 se veut un appareil moderne, qui possèdera certains attraits pour les marchés atypique de l’entreprise. Avec ses 70 000 applications disponibles (environs 10 fois moins que le iPhone), le Blackberry 10 sort de sa zone de confort et présente une importante amélioration. De plus, le téléphone sera muni d’une caméra qui pourra compétitionner avec l’industrie.

Il est à noter également que depuis peu, RIM a connu une forte hausse en bourse, augmentant sa valeur de 38,05% au cours du dernier mois, alors qu’Apple a vu la sienne diminuer de 18,07%. Les cyniques citeront le fait que RIM a une valeur bien inférieure à Apple, qu’importe, cette augmentation démontre tout de même une certaine reprise de la confiance des investisseurs, ce qui n’était pas arrivé depuis bien longtemps.

Demain, nous saurons si RIM a fait le bon pari avec le Blackberry 10, comme diraient certains : ça passe ou ça casse!

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“We are truly pleased with this decision that is putting an end to a long and unnecessary litigation. The decision clearly states that we have conducted our business activities for 10 years in full compliance with the law and respect with our network partners, advertisers and agencies,” said Martin Poitras, president of Rouge Media Group.

Rouge Media will continue to pursue its development plan and growth strategy, which are based on innovative products and the quality of the service it provides clients and partner-establishments.

Since its inception, Rouge Media offers its clients winning media solutions and activation opportunities to reach their target audiences. Rouge Media has five networks comprised of more than 2,000 partners in Canada, including more than 700 establishments in its restaurant-bar network, more than 70 establishments on college and university campuses, more than  700 beauty salons and spas, and some 500-plus websites.

About Rouge Media Inc.

For the past 10 years, Rouge Media Group has developed best-in-class successful media concepts aimed at the 18-to-49 demographic by offering high-quality media spaces and promotional activation opportunities to advertisers and advertising agencies. At the same time, it has supported post-secondary educational institutions, as well as the most popular restaurant-bars and leading beauty salons in the country. With offices in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver, Rouge Media offers five distinct and unique networks: Campus, Resto-Bar, Digital, Beauty and Experiential. Rouge Media is an innovator, developing its networks by applying its WIN2 philosophy with advertisers and their consumers, and with its partners in various campaigns.

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It’s an inevitable and organic shift: Technology and its vast array of tools & gadgets are taking over, and popping up in just about every expected, as well as unexpected environment. It’s become the norm to walk into a coffee shop or restaurant [during lunch hour] and spot more than half of the sitters on their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. But, in all fairness, those sleek laptops and devices aren’t just ornamental; a recent study has shown that a small to mid-level amount of atmospheric buzz is actually beneficial, and can help trigger open-minded and out-of-the-box thinking. Similar to café and restaurant environments, it’s no surprise that we also see the increase in tech toy usage in college and university campuses. Walk into a lecture room and the ones that don’t have a laptop sitting in front of them seem like the odd men out. Educational institutions have met this demand by expanding study areas in libraries and student centres to accommodate more computers, and/or to allow more students to set-up shop with their own hardware. However, this past year we’ve seen the popularity of tech gadgets rise in a different sort of space that one can say, was only a matter of time.

Beauty venues are well on their way to providing in-house iPads and tablets for clientele to use during their stay. It only makes sense – women spend an average dwell time of up to 3 hours in a salon chair, and need something to keep them entertained. Flipping through magazines (which are, let’s be honest, usually old issues from months prior) just doesn’t cut it anymore. Speaking from personal experience, women always crave something new and engaging to spark their interest, especially when being glued to their chair for several hours. Similar to the research that revealed the benefits to being in a mid-level noised atmosphere, I would assume this to be true for beauty environments as well. The buzz of blow dryers & females socializing carried throughout the space may encourage women to being more open to new messages and ideas. The positive and relaxed atmosphere is revealing itself to be a space where women are more engaged than ever; it’s no surprise that our favourite tech gadgets are gradually making their way into such venues.

We’ve seen the realm of technology and its nifty devices only continue to grow as each year passes; newer types of spaces are beginning to adopt more tech tools in order to keep with the times and improve people’s experiences. The continued reliance on technology and how it makes everything easier, faster and better for us will only continue to escalate from here.

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Eh bien la saison de hockey va finalement pouvoir débuter et, probablement, avec fracas. Bien que la semaine dernière fut très peu active du point de vue média, il est à noter que l’entente de principe de la LNH a su capter à elle seule 11,53% du poids médiatique total, loin devant le mur budgétaire aux États-Unis et la grève de la faim de Theresa Spence, qui avaient reçu respectivement 3,17% et 2,45%. Plutôt bien pour ce qui n’est rien d’autre en fait qu’un règlement de conflit de travail!

Du même coup de multiples relances se feront en parallèle,  dont le retour de la rentabilité pour les commerçants gravitant autour de la ligue. Que ce soit au niveau des produits dérivés ou des tenanciers de resto-bar. Les annonceurs sont également bien au fait de ce qui se passe et ont fort probablement un plan d’action très concret afin  d’aller chercher ces investissements média qui somnolaient jusqu’à il y a une semaine.

Nous devrions assister à un véritable branlebas de combat chez nos agences favorites qui tenteront d’élaborer la meilleure stratégie pour rejoindre ces amateurs de hockey qui sont sortis de leur hibernation avant le printemps. Bien sûr la part du lion devrait, en théorie, revenir directement aux télédiffuseurs de match comme CBC, TSN et RDS. Malgré les gigantesques budgets qu’ils se verront attribuer toutefois, un important volume de campagne est à la portée d’autres joueurs importants, comme les campagnes interactives et digitales, et sans oublier les médias extérieurs (Out-of-Home).

Et parlant des médias extérieurs, même si l’achalandage dans les bars venait de diminuer avec les fêtes et notre cher hiver qui se pointe le bout du nez, je crois sincèrement que nous verrons une forte hausse de l’achalandage dans ces milieux et ce pour plusieurs raisons. On peut notamment citer l’effet de pénurie qui fera revenir les plus fervents, ainsi que des promesses d’améliorations en raison de la nouvelle convention, chez les équipes plus riches en particulier, comme Montréal et Toronto. Il serait tout aussi surprenant que les canadiens boudent leurs équipes, contrairement à certains marchés américains. Ces raisons et bien d’autre feront en sortes que les cotes d’écoute, ainsi que l’achalandage des lieux sportifs, seront à la hausse. Réservez vos places, le hockey est de retour!

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(Image: Kate Upton – Vogue UK by Alasdair McLellan, January 2013)
It’s like the chicken and the egg: advertising pressures women to be thin, yet women consistently show higher response rates to ads with thin models.  Why do we do this to ourselves?

Well it’s partially built into our nature. Hundreds of years ago, when food was scarce, plump women were considered the most beautiful while being thin was equated with poverty. Today, fast food is cheap and plentiful while healthy options are expensive and harder to find. Having the self-control to eat well and in moderation (so to be thin) is attractive. People have – and most likely always will – envy what’s difficult to achieve.

Plus, it’s a well documented fact that the human eye prefers symmetry, and clothing does fall symmetrically on a slim frame – no little pudges for garments to awkwardly cling to.

Okay so being thin is in. I can handle that, being fat isn’t healthy. But, as always, we humans have gone too far. Let’s take Kate Upton as an example: a gorgeous young model with a slender yet curvy physique. By no means fat, just not the usual stick thin model we’re accustomed to seeing. As a result, she’s received atrocious criticism about her body. Bloggers have called her “thick”, “vulgar”, even “piggish”. Okay, if you’re beautiful and rich you’re always going to have haters, but there’s a bigger problem here: it’s not just anonymous critics behind computer screens that seem to tear her down. Well respected Victoria’s Secret casting director Sophia Neophitou told The New York Times she’d never hire Upton because “she’s like a Page 3 girl”, referring to the voluptuous and anything-but high fashion models that appear in cheap Sunday papers. Ouch. In response to these attacks Upton released a statement saying she just wants to live her life, be happy, and be able to eat. Don’t you just want to hug her?! I’m sure the piles of money she’s earning from the sane people who hire her have helped, but still. It has to sting.

So to this I say: it’s time we get on board with Israel’s game plan. The country recently passed a law which requires publications to disclose when they’ve altered images of models to make them appear thinner. I think this is a great step in the right direction.  If we could all see a little disclaimer next to these drop dead gorgeous models, as if they’re whispering to us “it’s okay, I’m not perfect either”, it may help us consumers to be a little kinder to our own reflections.

Emily Green
Twitter: @emjgreen

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Yes, you heard me right: “Snow Art”.  Simon Beck uses snow as his canvas for incredibly large-scale ‘artwork’ by essentially walking in the snow with raquettes on. Beck is from Southern England, but does most of his work in Savoie, France as he lives in Les Arcs during the ski seasons. They take an average of 10 hours to do correctly, but are sometimes unfinished if it gets too cold and/or Beck’s feet begin to experience pain. On his page, he explains the initial “setting out” stage:

“The setting out is done using handheld orienteering compass and distance determination using pace counting or measuring tape. Curves are either judged or arcs of circle using a clothes line attached to an anchor at the centre.”

Beck’s designs are inspired by the world of geometry or “crop circles”, a few examples are named Mandelbrot set, Koch curve, Sierpinski triangle.

Pretty amazing stuff! Check out more images of Simon Beck’s Snow art on his Facebook page here.

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The playlist currently includes amazing artists like: Owlle, Stars, MSMR, The Lighthouse and the Whaler, How to Dress Well, etc.

I highly recommend you give the playlist a listen! Check it out here: http://songza.com/listen/blogged-50-songza/

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