Astral Out-of-Home has launched a new online platform showcasing local artists, photographers, designers and other creative thinkers in three of the country’s major markets: Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
Billed as a “new resource for marketing and advertising professionals,” the bilingual Face/Ad/Blog platform formally launched Feb. 20. Face/Ad/Blog will highlight creativity from across the country and act as a hub for ad industry knowledge and insights from key influencers and specialists in the out-of-home field, according to Astral.
Aside from its website, the brand has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
The idea for the platform first arose in September as a way to spark dialogue among members of Canada’s creative community, said Véronique Desroches, marketing director for Astral Out-of-Home in Montreal.
“We know where people shop, where they play, and work,” said Desroches. “We are very close to these people, and what we wanted to do with this platform is give a voice to the people that make our cities so unique.”
The blog currently features an interview with street furniture designer Jeremy Kramer (who designed the furniture that is part of Astral’s street furniture contract with the city of Toronto) and is also showcasing global out-of-home creative concepts.
Astral is promoting the venture with a large-format publication comprised of posters featuring artwork and stories about creative people who give their cities character. The posters feature a QR code that takes users to the Face/Ad/Blog site when scanned. The venture is being promoted with the tagline “Show your colours.”
