Ron Caughlin Ma.Ed

📰 Local newspapers are shrinking everywhere. So what replaces them? Karen Unland is building a new kind of local news engine in Edmonton powered by newsletters, memberships, and smart use of AI. In this episode of the Small Press, Big Ideas podcast she explains how Taproot Publishing Inc. is turning community attention into a sustainable media business. 🎧 Listen today in your app of choice

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𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐈𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞” 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐈-𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞.) New survey data shows Canadian audiences are increasingly sensitive to authenticity and truthfulness in digital content. This affects marketing, PR, education, public service, and corporate communications. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬: 📍 Trust is becoming a competitive differentiator 📍 Content authenticity now impacts brand credibility 📍 Disclosure + verification workflows will soon become expected norms 📍 “We tell you where AI is used” is a market signal of integrity 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: Trust is not just reputation management — it influences conversion, brand loyalty, hiring confidence, and regulatory posture. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐨: 1️⃣ Add AI disclosure labels in public-facing content 2️⃣ Train teams to verify claims before publishing 3️⃣ Build a Responsible AI content standard for your brand 4️⃣ Communicate your trust posture proactively 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: If transparency becomes a market expectation — would your brand be seen as a leader or a follower? #ResponsibleAI #BrandTrust #MarketingLeadership #AIContentStrategy #CorporateCommunications #EthicalAI #CanadaAI #ReputationManagement

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Escapist marketing is a strategy that creates emotionally immersive experiences to help consumers temporarily escape from reality. Toronto Metropolitan University professor Eugene Y. Chan and La Trobe University lecturer Ali Gohary examine why brands are embracing surreal ads and immersive spaces, and the psychology behind this trend. Read their article in The Conversation Canada to learn more: https://lnkd.in/guzvS-Z5 #research #innovation #marketing #advertising @Ted Rogers School of Management - Toronto Metropolitan University

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This article discusses AI Skills Needed for SEO and Small Business Marketing for small businesses and tourism operators in Nova Scotia. https://lnkd.in/ePqFf8rS If you are a small business or tourism operator in Nova Scotia looking increase your online presence simply reach out to Go Smart Media to find out how to increase your Google page rank and get more website traffic. As a result you should get more sales for your products or services online. Building an online funnel for your physical business is easier than you think when working with a professional web design company in Nova Scotia, Canada. https://lnkd.in/ekQxw6Yu #AI #AISkills #GoogleAI #content #contentmarketing #seoservices #digitalmarketing #SocialMarketing #WebDesign #novascotia

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Mother’s Day marketing is more than flowers and brunches. For brands in Canada, multicultural moms are powerful household decision-makers, trust-builders, and cultural influencers. Our latest DV8 blog explores why brands need to understand their real influence. Read here: https://lnkd.in/eTHQCkSe #MulticulturalMarketing #MothersDay #CanadianMarketing #BrandStrategy #ConsumerInsights #DV8Communication

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In case you missed the announcement last week, in partnership with In-House Agency Council (IHAC) we've put together a new whitepaper, Owning the Advantage: In-House Media’s Path from Pilot to Powerhouse, authored by -lution's own Chief Media Officer, Mike Worden. One of the key findings is that hybrid ecosystems are the norm, but agencies roles are evolving. Hybrid models remain the considerable preference for in-house teams, with 84% of respondents confirming they work with at least one or more external partners. This has remained largely consistent across the three survey periods, although the remits of those partners shifts with time. Mature in-house teams are clear about the seams they own: they oversee strategy, planning, largely own digital trading, and analytics. They use partners largely for delivering Comms or Media strategy, buying traditional channels, such as linear TV & Radio and some specialist activities, but these services are increasingly being challenged and broken by the changing nature of media buying, where 85-90% can now be bought digitally. Download the full report here https://lnkd.in/g2F3kkjZ and be sure to reach out if you have questions. #MediaTrends #MediaBuying #MediaPlanning #MediaReport #MarketingTrends #InHouseAgency

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4 places to study great strategy work: 1. Strategy Awards Canada Great strategy papers that you can read -  https://lnkd.in/gzX__hgt  2. D&AD  Art Director awards but do have good case studies - https://lnkd.in/grAzqNGB  3. Strategy Tips Youtube  My Youtube Channel has a lot of case studies https://lnkd.in/gpmujwtp  4. 50 Years Of Effies  Iconic case studies with Mark Ritson - https://lnkd.in/gQFZzP_n  👉I’ll teach you how to write your own Strategy On A Page at a free workshop - sign up here! https://lnkd.in/gcTPg34x

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When the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) came to PheedLoop in 2020, they needed a platform that would consolidate fragmented event planning processes, decrease reliance on external vendors, and streamline their event operations to support a busy annual events calendar for their members. Today, their team continues to achieve incredible results with PheedLoop: ⚡ Hours of manual work eliminated, improved autonomy and control, and faster event-building 📲 Over 90% attendee satisfaction with the registration and mobile app experience 🗺️ Exhibitors love the interactive floorplan, boosting engagement and leads 📈 A scalable foundation that supports the complexity of their varied events portfolio A huge thank you to Tamara Nemchin, Sr. Director, Strategy & Programs at CAUBO, for sharing her experience and insights with us in this case study. 👉 Dive into the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gkFgssEz #PheedLoop #CAUBO #PoweredbyPheedLoop #CaseStudy #EventSuccess #CustomerStory #EventTech #EventProfs #EventInnovation #EventManagement

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Fresh off #PSEWeb - Canada's Higher Ed Marketing Conference, Jon’s unpacking his top 5 takeaways from last week. 📝 Read more from Jon on #PSEWeb2025: https://lnkd.in/et7wpzd4

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Excited to have been featured in this edition of CanadianSME Magazine about digital advertising and why Digital Means Business for SMEs. Small businesses remain the backbone of Canada’s economy, accounting for nearly two-thirds of private-sector jobs and close to half of national GDP. You drive innovation, fuel local communities, and set the pace for growth across every sector. As the economy evolves, your ability to adapt, compete, and scale has never mattered more. Digital media will be central to that growth. It is no longer an experimental channel or a secondary tactic. Digital advertising enables small businesses to reach new customers far beyond their immediate geography, build lasting relationships with existing audiences, and manage growth with precision and flexibility. The tools are more accessible, more measurable, and more effective than ever, allowing businesses of every size to compete with confidence. #SMEs #Digitalads #advertising #ohCanada #thoughtleadership

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Marketing in Canada: Key Trends Shaping Where You Should Invest Marketing Statistics Marketing in Canada: Key Trends Shaping Where You Should Invest April 1, 2026 Martina Zhu Marketing in Canada is evolving quickly, but the data tells a clear story: while digital continues to dominate, traditional media still holds influence—especially with certain audiences. Before diving into strategy, here are the key statistics every business should understand. Key Marketing Statistics in Canada…...

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New Forward Motion Podcast episode is out! Andrew Siegwart explores the current state of tourism through a conversation with William Schatten and Alexander Mazanik, CAIP from Context Research Group Inc. (CRG). Schatten and Mazanik dive into traveler sentiments across Ontario, the United States, and Europe, revealing how geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, and changing consumer priorities are reshaping travel decisions. In this episode, you will also hear about the Ontario Travel and Tourism Monthly, a new data tool from Context Research Group, designed to provide real-time insights for tourism businesses. Tune into the episode on your favorite podcast platform, and make sure to check out episode notes for more resources and a discount code for CRG’s new data tool! Catch up with past episodes at https://lnkd.in/essiXSmd

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CMA Awards 2026 announces co-chairs and new categories. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/diJ_MT-A The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) has named Nuno Bamberg (Sleep Country Canada) and Nancy Crimi-Lamanna (TBWA\Canada) as co-chairs for the 2026 CMA Awards in Toronto. This year introduces new categories including Inclusive Marketing, Creator Content, Best Use of AI, and Sponsorship to reflect evolving marketing practices. #Marketing #CMAAwards #AI #Advertising #MarTech #BrandStrategy #MarTechPulse #Bestplacetowork

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Discover how expertly crafted promotional videos are transforming brand perception for small businesses across Ottawa. In today’s competitive landscape, leveraging high-quality video content is no longer optional—it’s essential for enhancing brand visibility and establishing trust within your local community. This post explores the direct impact of video storytelling, from boosting customer engagement to differentiating your business in a crowded market. If you’re looking to elevate your marketing strategy and connect with your audience on a deeper level, understanding the power of promotional videos is the first step toward lasting growth. If you would like to know more on this I would suggest clicking this link https://lnkd.in/dRGfYDP7

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What’s the secret to marketing that actually works? Explore how Canadian agencies are driving real results—using real data. At #SocialWest2025, Paul Tedesco of ICA - Institute of Canadian Agencies unveils insights from the 2024 Effie competition, showing how campaign inputs like media spend, strategy, and clear objectives fuel outcomes like brand growth and customer acquisition. 📊 Walk away with actionable, data-backed tactics to boost your own marketing effectiveness. 🎟 SocialWest.ca

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These 10 Canadian association websites show how strong UX, clarity of purpose, and professional design can create meaningful digital experiences for members and the public. Each website demonstrates how associations can use their digital presence as powerful tools for member engagement and growth. When planning your next website project, these examples offer valuable lessons in how to deliver clarity, trust, and value online. https://lnkd.in/g52Vd2kX

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Family Day – February 16 offers an important lesson for PR and communications professionals: understanding your audience is everything. Canadian families are diverse, and insights into their values, routines, and priorities can guide campaigns that genuinely resonate. Use this day to explore blogs, research, and audience data on family dynamics in Canada. By studying how families interact, communicate, and engage with content, PR professionals can craft messaging that is empathetic, relevant, and impactful. Read the full story here: https://buff.ly/vfy4Obs. #FamilyDay #PRInsights #Storytelling #AudienceConnection #CanadianFamilies #CommunicationsTips #PRStrategy #BrandStorytelling #CreativePR

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Alexander Johnston of the Royal Ontario Museum and Lydia Zorn of Insignia Marketing Research share how AI has enhanced qualitative research on a recent exhibition. #CRICconf2025

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