As 2011 dwindled, MarketingMag.ca tested its readers’ news sense with a quiz, asking visitors to guess which of our top five stories was our most-read of 2011. Their choices ranged from a temporary renaming of a restaurant chain to a few items on the challenges Vancouver’s agency community faced.
As it turns out, our readers have a good nose for news. More than 27% of those who took part in the poll/quiz correctly picked “Boston Pizza ‘changes’ its name” as the year’s most-read story.
These, in descending order, were our most read stories of 2011.
1. Boston Pizza ‘changes’ its name
By Caroline Fortin, originally published April 14
Boston Pizza is now called Montréal Pizza… at least in that city. The chain decided to unveil its ‘new name’ in time for the beginning of the hockey playoffs.
2. CTV’s new bosses told not to ‘eff up’
Canadian Press, originally published June 3
Simon Cowell’s new singing competition, a Broadway-themed drama produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Debra Messing, a talk show from Anderson Cooper and a ’60s-era flight attendant drama with Christina Ricci are headed to CTV as its new executive team put on its first fall season upfront presentation yesterday.
3. Rethink layoffs signal change in agency’s direction
By Eve Lazarus, originally published April 29
Creative agency Rethink has laid off approximately one-quarter of its staff, letting go 22 people in its Vancouver office and one employee in Toronto.
4. TBWA\Vancouver files for creditor protection, closes media
By Eve Lazarus, originally published Feb. 25
TBWA\Vancouver has filed for creditor protection. However, contrary to rumours circling the industry, agency president Andrea Southcott says her agency is very much open for business.
5. Watch This: ETFO’s “Vote Against Kids”
By Jeromy Lloyd, originally published Sept.6
The organization behind this campaign is the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, and there are a handful of these spots now posted on its YouTube channel. The comments on the channel are, well, not positive (though with the viral vibe, who can tell if they’re even real).
For reference, here are the poll results:
“What do you think was MarketingMag.ca’s most-read story of 2011?”
• ETFO’s “Vote Against Kids” (8.5%)
• Boston Pizza ‘changes’ its name (27.1%)
• TBWA\Vancouver files for creditor protection (22.0%)
• CTV’s new bosses told not to ‘eff up’ (14.4%)
• Rethink layoffs signal change in agency’s direction (24.6%)
What do you feel were the biggest marketing stories of 2011? Post your thoughts in our comment section.
