With the help of your support, Advertising Week 2010 ended on a very high note!

Congratulations to Amanda Alvaro of the Narrative Advocacy group at Bensimon Byrne for her leadership, and for the hard working and engaged committee of volunteers who oversaw the myriad of details around the event. Post event attendee surveys have expressed high levels of satisfaction with the inaugural Ad Ball.

We are delighted that the proceeds from the event are supporting Ad Women of Toronto mentoring programs and Dress for Success Toronto. Special thanks to lead sponsors CTV and Wind Mobile.

The ICA Advertising Week team is already planning Ad Ball 2011. If you want to sponsor or lend your support, please contact Stacey Farber at
sfarber@icacanada.ca or 416-482-1396 ext. 223.

TORONTO, ON – November 16, 2009 – The inaugural ‘AdBall’, hosted by the ICA’s Ad Women of Toronto, will bring together over 500 of Canada’s most influential leaders, innovators and trendsetters for a swanky celebration of creativity and communications. In support of Dress for Success Toronto and Ad Women’s mentorship programs, AdBall: A Fashion Fetish will take place on January 29, 2010 and is the closing event of Advertising Week 2010.

“We are incredibly excited to invite the entire communications industry out to our first ever Ad Ball in support of a very worthy cause,” said Amanda Alvaro, Managing Director of Narrative Advocacy Media and AdBall Chair. “In true advertising style, this event will break the mold of the traditional gala as well as the industry parties that we’ve all seen before with a bold and innovative event theme and concept that is sure to impress each and every one of our guests.”
Hosted by Fashion Television’s Jeanne Beker, the first-ever annual industry gala is designed to inspire all the senses. Guests will experience a decadent evening that includes a dazzling designer fashion show, fabulous food stations, creative cocktails and drinks, and a fusion of live and recorded music that will certainly get everyone’s groove on.

As this industry knows better than any other, sex sells. ‘A Fashion Fetish’ will have an undeniable appeal with the promise of an unforgettable evening of fashion, fantasy and fun that will push the boundaries of what is arguably the most edgy and creative industry in the business world.

Event sponsors include CTV, Globalive Communications, Diageo, Steam Whistle Brewery, Shopper’s Drug Mart, and Blo Blow Dry Bar.

Full event details and tickets are available at www.advertisingweek.ca.

About Ad Women of Toronto
Launched by the Institute of Communications Agencies (ICA) in January 2009, Ad Women of Toronto is a unique initiative that enables women of all career stages to participate in, and contribute to, the marketing communications industry in a completely new way. Linking women through mentorship, education and entertainment, members include a diverse group of leading women in communications, advertising, and media. By facilitating diversity and debate, Ad Women of Toronto encourages various points of view, shared experiences and knowledge, and the promotion of unique talents and skills to propel future leaders to the top.

About Dress for Success Toronto
Dress for Success Toronto is a registered charity that changes the lives of Canadians and New Canadians by providing low-income women with the necessary professional attire and career development tools they need to have stability in work and in life. Our unique wardrobe service helps clients look impressive, feel confident, and find employment. Founded in 2000, the organization is volunteer-driven, utilizing the skills of many talented people. Since its inception, Dress For Success Toronto has outfitted over 5,500+ clients with over 27,500 quality suits accompanied by career support programs that help women achieve and maintain success.

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For more information please contact:
Micha Goddard
Narrative Advocacy Media
micha.goddard@narrativeadvocacy.com
Office: 416-922-2211 ext. 3277
Mobile: 905-999-2856

The event was a resounding succes. Here is some early feedback on Christie’s moving Extraordinary Story:

Christie Blatchford indeed meets the definition of an extraordinary woman - she was a terrfic choice to kicke-off this series.
Linda Nagel, Advertising Standards Canada

“A terrific event - Christie told some great stories and was candid, interesting and funny as hell. A great opportunity to hear from a woman who has built an illustrious career in Canada and is truly passionate about her work.”

A video highlight reel of the event will be available shortly on the Ad Women of Toronto website, www.adwomentoronto.ca.

Jess Greenwood has a way of turning a presentation (and a content-rich one at that) into an audience experience - a heady roller coaster ride through the latest and coolest stuff from the worlds of new media, digital, mobile, social media and what-have-you. What I really appreciated were her examples of when some of these trendy initiatives go horribly wrong, ever reminding us to think outside the tool. Joan McArthur, 27 Marbles

Her presentation was totally engaging, entertaining, and highly informative about the new way of doing business in the digital world. Since her talk, we have become so much more aware of leveraging the power of social media. Cynthia Richards, Event Spectrum Inc.

To view videos of past Ad Women of Toronto events click here.

More details will follow – be sure to mark your calendars for these must-attend Ad Women of Toronto events.

• October 21st – Globe and Mail/Institute of Communication Agencies Extraordinary Stories Speaker Series featuring Christie Blatchford, The Globe and Mail
• November 19th – Pink Tartan holiday shopping event
• November 26th – Mentorship Program launch at Google’s Toronto head office
• January 29th – Ad Ball: A Fashion Fetish at the Distillery District, Toronto (please go to www.advertisingweek.ca to purchase your tickets at the end of October)

For more information contact Stacey Farber, sfarber@icacanada.ca or call (416) 482-1396 Ext. 223

Stay tuned for details.

Events in the planning stages include debates, speakers, panel discussions, and an exciting “Gala” to be held during Advertising Week in January 2010.

Inspiring panel discussion and networking reception to feature notable women from Toronto’s communication industry

Toronto, ON - April 14, 2009 - After a sold-out launch event, Ad Women of Toronto, launched by the Institute of Communications Agencies (ICA), is introducing its new spring program, which will be kicked-off by an inspiring panel discussion and networking reception on Thursday, April 16^th.

Featuring several notable women from Toronto’s communication industry, the discussion will highlight ‘What advice would you give to your younger self?’ The event promises to inspire and excite women at all levels in the communications industry as esteemed industry leaders share their perspective and personal experience on achieving success in their careers and in their personal lives.

What: Ad Women of Toronto’s first official panel discussion and networking reception featuring five of Toronto’s most accomplished women (and one man) who will share their advice on what to do and not to do to achieve success in Toronto’s communications industry.

When: Thursday April 16, 2009
Panel Discussion - 4:00 to 5:30 pm
Networking Reception - 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Media are invited to attend

Where: Capital Theatre
2492 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

Who: Available for interviews - Gillian Graham, CEO of the ICA and Amanda Ploughman, Chair of Ad Women of Toronto and President of Mediacom
Moderator: Anne Sutherland, New Thinking 
Panelists:
- Tony Altilia, Past President of Downtown Partners and author of ‘I Wish   Someone Had Told Me That
- Heather Fraser, Past President of Taxi and current Program Director at Rotman Design Works
- Rachel Lai, Agency Planner of Publicis
- Beth Thompson, Editor in Chief of Glow Magazine
- Nancy Vonk, Creative Director of Ogilvy and Co-Author of ‘Pick Me - Breaking Into Advertising and Staying There’

RSVP: Micha Goddard, Narrative Advocacy Media
micha.goddard@narrativeadvocacy.com
Office: 416-922-2211 ext. 3277 Cell: 905-999-2856

About Ad Women of Toronto

Ad Women of Toronto was launched by the Institute of Communications Agencies (ICA) in January 2009. This unique new initiative will enable women of all career stages to participate in, and contribute to, the marketing communications industry in a completely new way. By facilitating diversity and debate, Ad Women of Toronto will encourage various points of view, share knowledge and promote the unique talents and skills to propel future leaders to the top.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Micha Goddard, Narrative Advocacy Media
micha.goddard@narrativeadvocacy.com
Office: 416-922-2211 ext. 3277 Cell: 905-999-2856

TORONTO, ON - January 26, 2009 - The Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA) today officially launched an exciting new initiative for women in the advertising, marketing and communications industry during Canada’s first annual Advertising Week. Long overdue, Ad Women of Toronto is the first initiative of its kind to be launched in almost 50 years and will serve as an exchange of the wisdom, passion and power of women in the industry and beyond as well as offer a unique forum for women to collaborate, network, inspire and debate.

“Ad Women of Toronto promises to be the most innovative, inspiring and empowering group in the industry,” said Gillian Graham, CEO of the ICA. “For the first time in recent Canadian history, women at all stages and within all areas of marketing communications will be given an incredible opportunity to help shape the future of our industry in an entirely unique way.”

Designed for women of all levels who have a shared desire to win, both in business and in life, Ad Women of Toronto will work to engage, mentor and support the advancement of women in the industry. By providing a forum to share their knowledge and experiences as well as promote their unique talents and skills Ad Women will not only strengthen the women in the industry but will help to drive our future leaders to the top.

“It’s truly amazing to see what women are capable of with the support and encouragement of other women. We have a remarkably creative, talented community of women in advertising and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together,” said Amanda Ploughman, Chair of the initiative and President of Mediacom.

The initiative will feature a speaker series that will highlight the experience and knowledge of industry legends and experts, a mentorship program encouraging sharing, growth and guidance, a debate series providing the opportunity to contribute a unique point of view and engage in provocative discussion, and most importantly, the chance to help shape the future of the industry. Over the next several weeks, a calendar of exciting events and speakers that will be featured throughout the year will be announced.

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For more information or to arrange and interview please contact:

Micha Goddard, Narrative Advocacy Media

Email: micha.goddard@narrativeadvocacy.com
Phone: 416-922-2211 ext. 3277

TORONTO, ON - November 27, 2008 - The Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA) is set to launch an exciting new Canadian initiative for women in advertising which will be unveiled to over 100 senior level female executives from the communications and advertising industry on December 3^rd.

“For the first time in recent Canadian history, there will be a distinct forum to engage, mentor and support the advancement of women in our industry,” said Gillian Graham, CEO of the ICA. “We’re very proud and excited to be launching an initiative that will bring women together, not only to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the seasoned women of our industry, but to also to nurture our rising stars.”

The initiative will look to attract membership from women at all seniority levels in the advertising, media and communications industry and will deliver a mandate of mentorship, professional discussion forum and industry thought leadership.

“This initiative will provide an incredible opportunity for women from all areas of the industry to share their experiences, celebrate their achievements and harness a collective point of view on how to move the industry forward,” said Amanda Ploughman, Chair of the initiative and President of Mediacom.

What: The Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA) is hosting an exclusive event and Fashion Show to unveil the logo and brand for this initiative, which will officially launch on January 26^th, 2009 on the first day of Advertising Week. The exclusive event will include a cocktail reception and Fashion Show featuring designs by Pink Tartan.     Media are invited to attend.

When: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 5:30-7:30pm

Where: Pink Tartan Headquarters
27 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON

Who:     Available for interviews - Gillian Graham, CEO of the ICA and
Amanda Ploughman, Chair of the ICA women’s initiative and President of Mediacom

RSVP: Tricia Soltys, Narrative Advocacy Media

Email Tricia.soltys@narrativeadvocacy.com or phone 416-922-2211 ext. 3278

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For more information or to arrange and interview please contact:

Tricia Soltys, Narrative Advocacy Media

Email: Tricia.soltys@narrativeadvocacy.com Phone: 416-922-2211 ext. 3278