Canadians make mark at Mobius Awards
Canadian agencies will be setting off metal detectors when they return from picking up their prizes at the Mobius Advertising Awards presentation Feb. 12 in Chicago.
Young & Rubicam Canada has been awarded four gold prizes for its work on H&R Block, Ford of Canada and Murphy’s Oil, as well as 20 second-place certificates for campaigns that include United Way, Radio Shack, Dristan Nasal Mist, Inglis and The Kenya Wildlife Fund.
Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising picked up three gold statuettes, while Grey Advertising and Bates Canada have each been awarded two.
Others winning gold include Leo Burnett, Gee Jeffery & Partners, Padulo Integrated, PNMD Communications and Vickers & Benson Advertising.

BBDO companies adopt brand umbrella
The Gaylord Group, Spectrum Communications, Atkins & Ellis, Sizzle, and Metaphor, all part of BBDO Worldwide, have united under one brand umbrella – GENERATORIdeaWorks.
Later this year, the offices will relocate from their various locations around Toronto to a new IdeaFactory near Exhibition Stadium.

Bos opens in Toronto
Bos of Montreal has opened a small office in Toronto with an initial mandate to service its client Microcell.
The office is headed by Laura O’Reilly who was previously with Bell Canada.

YTV to launch branded toys
YTV Canada and Hasbro Canada have announced an alliance to produce a ytv-branded line of toys and related products. The partnership marks the first time that Hasbro has committed to developing a line of products exclusively for Canada.
The products will be targeted to a broad age range from toddlers and preschoolers to pre-teens and will include plush characters and puppets, water pals, board games, puzzles and novelties.
The full range of products will be available for Christmas, with some products reaching stores in October.

Country Style brews animated spot
A talking coffee cup is the star of an animated live-action tv spot for Country Style Donuts which began airing Jan. 26 from b.c. to Ontario. The spot, entitled ‘Winter Blahs’, is promoting Country Style’s ‘Just One Taste of Winter Fun’ contest which offers both instant-win and collect-to-win prizes.
The 30-second commercial was created and produced by Walsh & Associates. A radio commercial supporting the contest will also air in selected markets.

Condoms can come out to play
Condom advertisers can now show condoms out of their packaging as long as they do so in a ‘responsible and sensible manner.’
The Telecaster Committee of Canada has updated its Condom Advertising Guidelines to keep up with society’s changing views. Previously, condom advertisers could only show condoms in their packaging.
The committee stipulates that condom advertising must focus on disease prevention and public education, not on contraception, casual sex or promiscuity.

NABS bash goes underground
The National Advertising Benevolent Society (nabs), a charitable organization that helps ad industry people in need, will throw a Groundhog Day Bash in Toronto on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
The event will take place at the Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne St.) with The Meteors, a rock `n’ roll cover band, providing entertainment. Ticket price is $20, which includes two drinks (beer, wine or soft drink), a fajita buffet and draws throughout the evening. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased through NABS Captains or by calling the nabs office at (416) 962-0446.