4 21 09 Radar Ddb Expands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Radar DDB expands, opens Toronto office Yvonne van Dinther to spearhead new Toronto operation, Justin Young hired to manage Vancouver Social media marketing group a resounding success for DDB Canada, DDB Worldwide

Date

04/21/2009

Location Toronto and Vancouver

Building on the success of Radar DDB in Vancouver, DDB Canada is expanding its innovative social media marketing group into Toronto. A new Radar DDB office will be providing Torontobased clients with ways to build relevant relationships between consumers and brands using an interdisciplinary approach with Web 2.0 and emerging technologies. Launched in 2007 in Vancouver to help service the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), Radar DDB is a hybrid resource that combines the skill sets of a news gathering organization, a Hollywood publicity agent, an advertising agency, a guerrilla event company and a digital programming expert. “Since Radar DDB was first introduced, we’ve seen social media communication come of age as major brands and companies have realized the value in listening to, learning from and joining the social media conversations relevant to their business,” says David Leonard, president of DDB Canada, Toronto. “We’re very excited to have Radar DDB grow into this market and take what we’ve learned about social media interaction to a whole new level here.” Acting like an “engine room,” Radar DDB ensures DDB Canada’s clients’ brands are in-market 24/7, targeting the best prospects and taking advantage of communications opportunities as they happen. Using social media and emerging technologies, Radar DDB identifies highly targeted on- and off-line communities and engages them through discussion, relevant brand messages and branded content. Yvonne van Dinther, who managed Radar DDB in Vancouver since 2007, is now charged with spearheading Radar DDB, Toronto along with Steve Wright, strategic planner.

1700 – 33 Bloor Street East, Toronto ON M4W 3T4 T 416 925-9819 F 416 921-4180 www.ddbcanada.com

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“Social media is an indispensable and powerful new community to tap for marketing, communications and consumer outreach efforts,” says van Dinther. “And Radar DDB will be at the forefront with a significant on-the-ground presence in Toronto to help our clients leverage the space for their brands.” “In addition to a full range of integrated traditional services, DDB Canada has a powerful digital offering ranging from social media, content creation, application technology, advertising and incubation of new services. Adding the expertise of both Yvonne and Steve in Toronto will drive innovation for our clients and ensure a larger leadership role for Radar DDB in the social media environment,” adds Leonard. In Vancouver, Justin Young has been hired as managing director of Radar DDB and will be responsible for overseeing its operation and growth in western Canada. In his new role, Young will report to Richard Sandor, senior–vice president, managing director of DBB Canada, Vancouver. Prior to joining Radar DDB, Young worked for Rethink Communications in Vancouver as an account director. He also worked with a number of leading agencies in San Francisco including Goodby, Silverstein & Partners; Red Sky; and SF Interactive. Throughout his career Young has served a wide variety of distinguished clients such as Banana Republic, Hewlett-Packard, Miller Brewing, Knowledge Network, and Earls Restaurants. “Radar DDB is a new breed of agency,” says Young. “By helping brands and companies communicate better by listening to online conversations, learning from this discourse and then creating relevant content to join those conversations, Radar DDB utilizes social media as well as other mediums to generate “talk value” and a measurable return on investment for clients.” Through the innovative work it is doing for the CTC, Radar DDB now has a presence in Mexico, Germany and France and operates in about half-a-dozen languages. Radar DDB has quickly taken off by pioneering work for clients in tourism, packaged goods, retail and the not-for-profit sectors. Select clients include the CTC, Bosch, the Vancouver Convention Centre, BC Lottery Corporation, and Canadian Blood Services. The “made in Canada” Radar DDB model that DDB Canada created in 2007 has proven so successful that over the past year DDB Worldwide has opened Radar DDB offices in London, Sydney, and most recently in Lisbon to augment regional DDB services and provide leadingedge social media marketing. Radar DDB has recently been featured in Business Week Online and the Financial Times.

1700 – 33 Bloor Street East, Toronto ON M4W 3T4 T 416 925-9819 F 416 921-4180 www.ddbcanada.com

About DDB Canada DDB Canada (www.ddbcanada.com) is the most creatively acclaimed, internationally recognized marketing communications agency in Canada. Known for advertising that generates significant results for clients, DDB Canada is a “total communications company” that believes creativity is the strongest business tool. DDB Canada has offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal. The agency’s integrated groups include: DDB Kid Think (youth marketing), DDB Public Relations, Tribal DDB (online and interactive), Karacters Design Group, Rapp Canada (direct), Radar DDB (social media marketing) and DDB Echology (corporate social responsibility). - 30 – For more information or interviews please contact: Robert MacLean / Paige Calvert DDB Canada 416-972-5831 / 604-687-4421 [email protected] / [email protected]

1700 – 33 Bloor Street East, Toronto ON M4W 3T4 T 416 925-9819 F 416 921-4180 www.ddbcanada.com