Oui Marketing is a 7 years young agency with offices in the Old Port of Montreal and Granby, Quebec. We currently have a mandate to create the conditions for a business expansion. We intervene at the production level, optimizing the operations, implementing processes and increasing productivity and also at the strategic and creative level by improving the service offer.

Check out the Oui Lounge!

The coolest service is the workshop. Basically we get into a company for half a day to a couple of days and work hands on with their team to solve specific problems.

It might be creative brainstorms and concepts for a pitch, specific project management solutions and planning, etc. The goal is to support and solve the issues. Guerrilla style. We get in, solve the problem, leave (into the sunset if possible).

Top 10 countries futurebrand

futurebrand published their 2009 Country Brand Index (CBI). The report features “expert opinions, statistics and proprietary global quantitative data to create the largest study of its kind. Assessing 102 countries across 29 image attributes and seven measures of brand strength, it also contains an extensive array of trends, insights and topical points of view.”

Holding to last years’ position, Canada comes in second after the US while Australia slips in third.

Canada scored first in Resort and Lodging Options, Safety and Family Travel categories.

“Canada continues to do an exceptional job with its branding. Using all the country has to offer, it promotes the experience of adventure, friendly people, diverse culture and beautiful landscapes.” Quote from the Report

“In a challenging year for the global economy, we’re especially pleased with the recognition that Canada’s tourism brand in the Country Brand Index is holding firm in an intensely competitive international tourism marketplace.” —Michele McKenzie, President and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission

Download the Executive Summary or purchase the full report here.

Bluesponge has won the Award of Distinction at the Communication Awards in New York for the Canadiens de Montreal project Our History. Bluesponge has also won an Official Honoree for the Our History - Canadiens de Montreal and the CCA Actions for Canadien Center of Architecture at the Webbys Awards 2009. Jaime Candy provides general management and branding strategy services to Bluesponge.

CMIM - Montreal International Musical Competition 2009 is now over. Jaime Candy provides Creative Management and Brand Experience strategy and tools to CMIM.

Last conference took place on March 26th 2009.

Here is a presentation draft.

IMPACT

• Reposition the business
• Extreme cost cuts
• Medium term sales increase
• Increase profitability

INCREASE SALES

• Find new and unexploited market niche; develop a new marketing strategy and price configuration

DECREASE COSTS

• Restructure the activity configuration; Focus on the main competency, outsource / partner the rest

B. OPERATIONAL TURNAROUND - OPERATIONAL INNOVATION (OPTIMIZE TACTICS ON PRESENT MODEL)

IMPACT

• Low to medium cost reductions
• Increase profitability
• Low to medium increase in sales

INCREASE SALES

• Retain and develop present accounts / clients
• Optimize present sales and pitch process and success rate
• Modify the price configuration

DECREASE COSTS

• Optimize productivity; project management process
• Reduce operational expenses
• Combine competencies

We wish you a profitable and positive 2009 -  May the current economic turmoil bring you new opportunities.

Happy New Year!!

The Jaime Candy Team

Awards : BOOMERANG Grand Prix for best website and BOOMERANG Grand Prix for B2C Large Business.

Consumers will start to trim their expenses and find comfort in their primary needs. Even lovemark brands and products will find their consumer base challenged by the economic slowdown. Strategically, your organization’s goal should be to accompany your customer through these tough times which will eventually pass.

Here are some ways that can help companies stay in the game while lowering their expenses.

1. Connect with your customers. Right now consumers are looking for friends who will give them a good deal. Your company or product can be that friend, and that trust/understanding relationship will stick with your customer during and after economic hardship.

• Design smart marketing campaigns to engage and connect with your customer. Only offering promotions will not cut it, there is an emotional dimension that has to be catered to in order to increase customer engagement.

2. Review your activity configuration and optimize how you get things done in your company.

• Service and product development and production
• Services and product marketing and sales
• Customer support

3. Increase your employee retention. You want your employees to rally behind your company vision especially in unstable economic times. One of the worst mistakes a company can make is to create too much strain on their employees.

• Clear top-down inspirational communication
• Corporate policies
• Management / supervision support
• Employee-level interventions

Errors many companies make in times of crisis include focusing too aggressively in making new sales or putting useless pressures on their employees. Companies should instead find ways to innovate at their business model level, in product development/support and to engage their employees and customers. Simple innovative interventions can help you stay in the game and win in the long run.