Company News:
Allmar Signs On As New Direct Focus Client
Direct Focus has just added international door and door hardware distributor Allmar Inc. to its client roster. With offices in 15 Canadian cities and over 400 employees, the Winnipeg-based, family-owned company has secured our services for strategic planning and brand consultation. Keep an eye out for new creative in the coming months.
Company News:
Direct Focus Enters Exclusive Agreement
With The North West Company
Direct Focus, Manitoba's largest marketing communication agency, has entered into a multi-year strategic partnership with retail giant The North West Company. The long-term agreement, which started on July 1, 2011, will see the company transition its consumer-level marketing initiatives to Direct Focus’ 100-person, Winnipeg head office.
The North West Company and retail Banners (Northern Stores, NorthMart, Giant Tiger, AC Value Center and Cost U Less) serve remote, rural communities in Northern Canada, Alaska, the South Pacific and the Caribbean. The company has been working with Direct Focus for the past year on consumer-facing branding projects including marketing consultation, social media marketing initiatives and corporate communications.
"We’re really excited about this partnership," says Mark Hofer, President, Direct Focus. "It only makes sense that two of the Province’s largest organizations, in their respective fields, join forces to build on the accomplishments of one of our countries oldest and most well-respected retailers."
Direct Focus currently represents some of North America's biggest brands including Canada Safeway, Stanley Tools, JELD-WEN, Pepsi and Scotiabank. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with satellite offices in Toronto, Ontario, and Portland, Oregon, the addition of The North West Company to its client roster further secures the firm's position as Manitoba's largest marketing communication agency.
Company News:
Direct Focus Wins at the Signature Awards
The Signature Awards, produced by The Advertising Association of Winnipeg, celebrate exceptional creative work produced in Manitoba. This year's awards were handed out at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on May 12, 2011. We are excited to announce Direct Focus brought home two awards including Best Complete Campaign this year.
Winner: Best Complete Campaign/Gary Gzebb Award
Winner: Direct Mail (Inserts, Flyers, Newsletters)
“We've always known our creative talent is fantastic,” says Mark Hofer, President of Direct Focus Marketing Communications. “And it's always exciting to see our work recognized by peers.”
To learn more about the Signature Awards and to see a full list of winners,
visit www.SignatureAwards.ca
Company News:
Direct Focus Wins Big at CAMA Awards
The Canadian Agri-Marketing Association held their annual Best of CAMA awards last night at the historic Fort Garry hotel in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. The annual event showcases the best of Canadian agricultural marketing and Direct Focus took home four awards, including a Best of Show, and two certificates of merit.
| Winner: | Best of Show (Communication Vehicles) Richardson Brochure (Richardson International) |
| Winner: | Web Design (Microsite) More Power To You (Versatile) |
Winner: | Advertising Produced in Canada for Domestic or Foreign Markets (Print) Happy Appliances (The Canadian Wheat Board) |
| Winner: | Association Publications Richardson Brochure (Richardson International) |
| Certificate of Merit: | Total Campaign ($100,000 - $250,000) Is This The Deal You Want? (The Canadian Wheat Board) |
| Certificate of Merit: | Radio Single (30 or 60 Seconds) Is This The Deal You Want? (The Canadian Wheat Board) |
“Agri-marketing is a competitive industry,” says Mark Hofer, President of Direct Focus Marketing Communications. “Thankfully, we have some of the sector’s top marketing minds delivering world-class work for our clients.”
To learn more about the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association and to see a complete list of winners, visit www.BestofCAMA.com
Company News:
Welcome to the Team
We're proud to announce the recent addition of Justin Gagnon to the Direct Focus Account Management team. He was formerly a Business Development Manager at a digital marketing company and Marketing Manager in the computer software industry. Justin brings a strong and varied background in strategic planning and digital marketing experience to our growing list of clients.
Welcome to Direct Focus Justin.
Company News:
Direct Focus Launches New Website
What’s new? How about this website for starters. Our last site showcased our service offerings, but didn’t talk a lot about how we help our clients with their organizational challenges. Well, we’ve revamped DirectFocus.com to give you a better understanding of how we’ve grown and what we do. And we're showcasing a few of the companies we’ve helped along the way. You can check out the Case Studies section to learn more about the products, services and brands that we’ve had the pleasure to work with.
Like most online sources, our website will be continually updated with case studies, creative spotlights, news updates and commentary. So make sure you come back often to see how Direct Focus can help you connect on every level.
Company News:
Direct Focus Expands In-House Printing Capabilities
We've recently enhanced our Print-On-Demand capabilities to include a new HP Designjet H45000 UV inkjet printer. It’s one step up from our water-based Kodak 1200 Aqueous inkjet printer and allows us to print on an almost limitless selection of outdoor materials such as indoor and outdoor banners, vehicle wraps and point-of-purchase signage.
With the addition of our new capability, we’re now able to turn projects over in less time. The technology also allows us to offer great warranties on outdoor materials and pass along significant savings to our clients. If you’re interested in learning more about our in-house Print-On-Demand capabilities, give us a call. We’d love to give you a tour.
Company News:
Direct Focus IT Department Doubles In Size
Over the past six months, the department has grown to meet the needs of our growing client base. The move reflects an increased demand for our Brand OPTICS (Online Portal To Integrate Channel Support) suite of services, which includes several online programs designed to create organizational efficiencies.
One of the most requested pieces is the Digital Asset Manager (DAM), which allows organizations to store and catalogue images, audio and videos online. Some of the clients currently using our software include JELD-WEN Windows and Doors, Corby Distillers and several nationwide, high-profile financial sector clients. With the recent hires, Direct Focus can continue to increase the scope of these programs and the number of service offerings under the Brand OPTICS umbrella.
Creative Spotlight:
Direct Focus Launches MTS Wi-Fi Campaign
In a world where people are moving a mile a minute, it’s nice to know that there are still a couple of places where you can get your information on the go. MTS came to Direct Focus in January with an interesting proposition – get the word out about MTS Free Wi-Fi Hotspots. Well, with the words, "free Wi-Fi" and "MTS", we jumped at the chance to show our creative approach to awareness building.
The Brief: MTS is offering free Wi-Fi access to MTS High Speed Internet customers at Hotspot locations throughout Manitoba. Develop in-store material to help spread the word.
The Work:
Company News:
Direct Focus’ Work Nominated For Six CAMA Awards
The ballots have been tallied and Direct Focus’ work has officially been nominated for six CAMA Awards. The annual event showcases the best of Canadian agricultural marketing and happens November 4, 2010 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
“We’re honoured to be nominated alongside such a talented and diverse group of agencies and marketing professionals,” says Mark Hofer, President of Direct Focus Marketing Communications. “It’s been a pleasure to partner with these world-class agricultural organizations and we look forward to continuing our longstanding relationships with The Canadian Wheat Board, Versatile and Richardson.”
To learn more about the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association and to see a complete list of nominations, visit www.BestOfCAMA.com.
Creative Spotlight:
Direct Focus Helps the Canadian Wheat Board Raise Awareness
The decisions being made at the World Trade Organization talks will change the landscape of Canada’s wheat and barley marketing system. The Canadian Wheat Board wanted to create a campaign to raise awareness of the talks and what this new future could look like if farmers stayed uninformed. What better way to communicate these changes than by engaging Direct Focus to create a multi-tactic campaign aimed at raising awareness?
The Brief: Create a campaign to raise awareness of the World Trade Organization talks and inform farmers what they can expect if the proposed changes go forward.
The Work: Armed with a microsite, online banners, radio and print vehicles, the campaign reached hundreds of thousands of Canadian farmers and asked them the single question: Is This the Deal You Want?