Scotiabank’s new hockey-themed credit cards appeal to the true blue Canadian in each of us

Scotiabank, the official bank of the NHL, has come up with an innovative marketing campaign which takes advantage of its partnership in a way that hasn’t been seen before. Rather than putting its logo on jerseys or displaying banners in hockey rinks, the Canada-based bank has developed a new line of debit and credit cards, each of which feature one of the 30 team logos. This leaves the customer free to choose which team they would like to display on their card and show their support for while going through day-to-day transactions. Bank of Nova Scotia Chief Executive Officer Richard Waugh believes that this expensive campaign will be a success because “a large segment of the population watches or goes to see hockey” in Canada. With this strategy, Scotiabank aims to reinforce its connection with current customers, as well as attract new hockey-loving clients.


Scotiabank has revealed its new line of hockey-themed credit and debit cards.

Scotiabank’s hockey strategy is a solid one. By positioning itself as “Canada’s hockey bank” it has established itself in the minds of Canadians as a bank that represents its country’s values. In becoming the sponsor of Canada’s national sport, Scotiabank has created the impression of being a more relatable, trustworthy bank. Potential customers will be more likely to buy products from a bank whose image they can identify with. This campaign has much potential for success, especially given the powerful element of good-natured competition that the bank has introduced in allowing fans to choose their favourite team.

Blackberry provides soil and nutrients for Motorola

An important skill that a company needs to have is knowing how to recognize an opportunity – and how to take advantage of it before it’s too late. Luckily for Motorola, they have this skill down to a science, and their timing to expand to the Technology Triangle couldn’t be better. Mr. Phillips, vice president and general manager of Motorola, announced last Wednesday that the company will be setting up a new office in Waterloo, Ontario, the hub of engineering. A few days prior, Blackberry announced it would be laying off 4,500 employees. This means there will be tons of skilled, experienced workers looking for jobs, and where will their search lead them? To Motorola, whose goal in expanding to Waterloo was to absorb the area’s wealth of talent.

Motorola has announced its plans to expand to the thriving Kitchener-Waterloo area.

All jokes aside, the Google-owned company “has been planning to open an office in Waterloo for several months,” according to Mr. Phillips, and the influx of unemployed engineers provided by Blackberry was just icing on the cake. Motorola’s targets for hire also include local companies and students and alumni of Waterloo University. Blackberry can be credited for turning Waterloo into a technology hub, but now that it is clearly losing its position as the big dog, other companies have the opportunity to establish their presence in the maturing, thriving ecosystem that Blackberry began. Motorola can be commended for recognizing that fact and for acting quickly to fill the gap left by the formerly successful company.

Eliminating racism one bottle at a time?

Former fans of Bressan’s winery are boycotting his products.

A recent racist outburst by Fulvio Bressan, a successful Italian winemaker, has incited widespread outrage and a call to boycott his products by removing them from shops and wine-tasting events. Last month, Bressan appalled the community by verbally abusing Cecile Kyenge, Italy’s first black government minister, publicly calling her a “filthy black ape” in a rant posted on his Facebook. In response to his newly-exposed racist views, former fans have decided to call their most recent Bressan wine their last. Consumers aren’t the only ones boycotting; Jacob Kennedy, a London chef, has publicly and dramatically smashed Bressan’s wine bottles in front of his highly-rated restaurant.

The question is whether the public has chosen the right form of protest. Will decreasing Bressan’s revenue teach him a lesson, or inspire him to change? Apart from failing to realize how little this boycott will accomplish, another consequence the public hasn’t considered is who they are affecting. For one, Bressan has a family that he needs to support. Not only that, but Bressan’s winery has a reputation that needs to be upheld. His family has made wine on the same plot of land since 1726. It wouldn’t be fair to Bressan’s son if the business was punished for the racist beliefs of his father. In this case, one must separate the wine from the man. By all means, express your anger towards Bressan through letters or public shaming. But do not make his family suffer or destroy the legacy that has been created over centuries. Let the business live on and flourish under a better individual.