September 1908
Marketing launches under the ownership of T.J. Tobin and T. Johnson Stewart, who operate an ad agency in Toronto. They call their new magazine Economic Advertising. The first issue is 42 pages and contains no ads
1909
The Canadian Pacific Railroad spends more money promoting immigration to Canada than the federal government
1909
Tip Top Tailors is founded
1911
The first American advertising agencies head to Canada: Horne-Baker of Kansas City, Mo., which sets up shop in Winnipeg; and J. Walter Thompson, which opens in Toronto. (It would close in 1916 but return for good in 1929)
1911
Shell Canada launches
April 13, 1912
Jack MacLaren, a 21-year-old reporter for the Toronto World scoops all other dailies in the city by getting the story of the Titanic sinking out first. MacLaren would go on to become an advertising legend as head of MacLaren Advertising (now MacLaren McCann)
Aug. 14, 1914
The Association of Canadian Advertisers is formed in the boardroom of Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Toronto.
1914
Upon the outbreak of the First World War, the federal government launches its first major media campaign-to increase domestic consumption of apples, since the war has closed international markets. The campaign is a success with some 65,000 people writing in to receive a free booklet of apple recipes that was promoted in the ads
1916
Feeling that they are contributing too great a portion of newspapers’ overall revenues, Canadian advertisers demand papers hike their single-copy price to two cents from the standard one cent. By the start of 1918, only 26 of 131 dailies still sell for a penny
January 1917
Anson McKim, head of the influential McKim agency in Montreal, and father of Canadian advertising, is killed after being struck by a train at Coteau Junction, Que.
1918
General Motors of Canada is created after GM purchases the McLaughlin car company in Oshawa, Ont.
1919
Canadian National Railways is formed
1919
Loblaw Groceterias opens in Toronto
Dec. 1, 1919
The world’s first radio broadcast is aired by XWA in Montreal. Within months it’s on the air permanently using the call letters CFCF
