City of Kitchener defends BlackBerry OOH materials

The City of Kitchener is defending its decision to get behind BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion in the lead-up to the launch of its new smartphones. In an article published by the Waterloo Region Record daily newspaper, the city says it hasn’t sold out to corporate interests by making a temporary exception to local policies about […]

The City of Kitchener is defending its decision to get behind BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion in the lead-up to the launch of its new smartphones.

In an article published by the Waterloo Region Record daily newspaper, the city says it hasn’t sold out to corporate interests by making a temporary exception to local policies about corporate advertisements.

“Without RIM, downtown Kitchener would not be experiencing its remarkable renaissance,” the city said, highlighting a number of organizations created to support the burgeoning local technology community and charitable contributions from RIM executives.

The concern involves a decision by Kitchener city leaders earlier this week that allows RIM to decorate light poles in the city’s downtown core with banners to promote the new BlackBerry and thank the community for its support.

The plan required local leaders to make an exception to long-standing rules about corporate advertising on city property. Councillors in Kitchener gave the company the go-ahead in a near-unanimous vote earlier this week.

The city’s article points out that only one council member voted against the exception. Coun. John Gazzola said that other corporations have asked to promote themselves on city property but have always been denied, adding if the rules were to be changed once they should be made the same for every company.

The article says that fairness and consistency in its rules are admirable, but that the city council considers RIM to be a special company in the Waterloo Region because it has helped build the community into a leader in the technology sector.

“Research In Motion has done so much for this region, Kitchener included, and it deserves all of our thanks and encouragement,” the article said.

“Hanging a few of its banners in public spaces is a small thing to do in return.”

RIM is planning events in areas of the country where it has a notable corporate presence, an effort to drum up some more enthusiasm over the unveiling of its new phones on Jan. 30.

In its hometown of Waterloo, Ont. and neighbouring Kitchener it will hold skating parties at the city-owned rinks. Similar events are in the works for nearby Cambridge, Ont. and in Halifax, where the company has a customer service centre.

RIM says it will supply complimentary hot chocolate and BlackBerry-branded cookies.

Brands Articles

30 Under 30 is back with a new name, new outlook

No more age limit! The New Establishment brings 30 Under 30 in a new direction, starting with media professionals.

Diageo’s ‘Crown on the House’ brings tasting home

After Johnnie Walker success, Crown Royal gets in-home mentorship

Survey says Starbucks has best holiday cup

Consumers take sides on another front of Canada's coffee war

KitchenAid embraces social for breast cancer campaign

Annual charitable campaign taps influencers and the social web for the first time

Heart & Stroke proclaims a big change

New campaign unveils first brand renovation in 60 years

Best Buy makes you feel like a kid again

The Union-built holiday campaign drops the product shots

Volkswagen bets on tech in crisis recovery

Execs want battery-powered cars, ride-sharing to 'fundamentally change' automaker

Simple strategies for analytics success

Heeding the 80-20 rule, metrics that matter and changing customer behaviors

Why IKEA is playing it up downstairs

Inside the retailer's Market Hall strategy to make more Canadians fans of its designs