Heather Nairn

ICYMI - IAB Tech Lab has developed comprehensive guidance to help navigate the complexity of ID solutions as we move closer towards cookie independence. Thanks Patti Summerfield and Media in Canada, for covering this important release from IAB Tech Lab - to access the guidance, see comments. #idsolutions #PETs #digitalads #advertising #data

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PSA: The immensely useful Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) Boost Your Business grant is closing for applications on 30 September. If you are a Canadian small business that sells online, get your application in! More details: https://bit.ly/3tktoII Need a hand? Talk to us about your grant. #digitalmarketing #atlanticcanada #smallbusinessfunding

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Today's webinar with ACA talked about cloud based MMM and contracts. The costs, the scope, the data arrangements change how advertisers should view procuring MMM and data science in general. There's never been a better time to make MMM central to and integrated with your marketing efforts. Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA)

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Really looking forward to this discussion - Eric Morris and Ivan Pehar have rare and uniquely informed insights on harnessing data and I can’t wait to get into it with them! #data #digitaladvertising #advertising

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As governments at all levels across Canada have expanded their digital service offerings, the user experience has often not met the high expectations of residents. Constrained resources, complex organizations, limited human capacity, and massive IT transformation goals make digital updates a hurdle for agencies. Given these challenges, we'll be sharing key insights from PayIt's groundbreaking research conducted with hundreds of government agency leaders, and explore how innovations in payment experiences can not only streamline operations but also increase accessibility, security, and resident satisfaction. Join us for an insightful session on data-backed tactics for empowering residents and optimizing digital government offerings. Register today for the live webinar: https://okt.to/O06mr7 #DigitalGovernment #GovTech #Webinar

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John Wiltshire CM, CEO Canadian Marketing Association, emphasizes that the #bestCMOs are more than just strategists; they're leaders who embrace community, innovation, and results. Great CMOs lean on a strong network—knowing when to collaborate, prioritize innovation, and challenge norms to stay ahead of the curve. They're also deeply invested in long-term value, making sure that every dollar spent speaks to the company’s bigger picture. Ultimately, it’s these qualities that drive real business results, and grow as true business builders. Interesting read: 3 traits of a #successfulCMO: https://lnkd.in/dmMhp-BZ #marketingleadership #marketingtraits Chartered Marketer #leadershiptraits

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Last week I attended NEXT Canada's Venture Reveal event, where I was fortunate to witness some of Canada's most promising startups pitch their innovative companies to an audience of investors, academics, and fellow entrepreneurs. For those unfamiliar, NEXT is a powerhouse tech incubator committed to nurturing the next wave of impactful Canadian entrepreneurs. With an impressive track record of launching unicorns, facilitating over $2B in capital raises, and supporting countless entrepreneurs in their journey to improve Canada's competitiveness, they are highly valued in the early-stage tech community. Reflecting on the event, a few key insights resonated with me: -"There will be 100 problems in a startup, the ones who end up surprising us aren't always the ones who sparkle the most. They are the ones who keep crawling through." Ajay Agrawal's perspective on the nonlinear nature of startup challenges underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability. -As John Kelleher aptly put it, "The game of building successful tech startups is a game of outliers. Every year of the 130k businesses are started, 4,000 are capable of building and securing venture funding. Of those, 200 will raise funding from a top-tier VC and only 15 will generate almost all venture returns. -Despite Canada's GDP per capita experiencing a decline of 1/2% annually since 2020, it's imperative we foster an environment that cultivates high-growth ventures. Amidst these takeaways, I'm inspired by the resilience and dedication exhibited by entrepreneurs tackling real-world problems head-on, especially amidst today's challenging climate. Special kudos to my mentees, Nicole Baranowski at Hairstrong and Matthew Stevens & Mathew Chan at Tailwind, for their commitment to bringing their innovative offerings to market. Here's to celebrating the bold visionaries shaping Canada's entrepreneurial landscape. Onward and upward!!! #CDNtech #entrepreneurship #growth

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So far we've helped small business owners in British Columbia receive over $15k in grant funding. Your business may also be eligible to recieve government grant funding of up to $2400 to improve your marketing. Every small business owner feels the stress of trying to stay on top of digital marketing AND run their business. These are things like email marketing, lead magnets, funnels, online sales and SEO. Marketing is more than an essential skill, it’s a business superpower to sell your products, programs and services. If you're a small business book a discovery call and let's see if you are eligble for funding!

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Clean-up in the Digital Media aisle. While I am not a fan of handwringing without offering solutions or alternatives, we’re carefully assessing the short and long-term damage that the Digital Services Tax will bring to our sector. This is a complex issue and requires some thoughtful reflection. One thing seems glaringly clear…C59 is now a tattoo on the forehead of our re-negotiations with critical trade partners. Here are some thoughts... https://lnkd.in/gx4vq6J5

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Last week I participated in a thought-provoking roundtable hosted by MaRS Discovery District and moderated by Kristina Cleary. The group consists of a series of Canadian Marketing Tech leaders helping to scale their organizations. One key insight shared by demand gen expert, Harneet S. struck a chord: “If you're using AI today, you are replaceable. Tomorrow, it will be more productive than you.” AI is not just advancing—it’s already reshaping marketing, unlocking new potential for strategic impact and growth. So, how does a marketer thrive in this new era? The answer isn’t about outpacing AI; it’s about combining AI’s power with human intuition and creativity to drive new systems and outcomes that matter. Here’s how I believe forward-thinking marketing leaders are making a difference: 1. Strategic Creativity Paired with Data-Driven Precision AI can generate content and crunch numbers, but it doesn’t capture the nuanced emotions or cultural shifts that forge strong brand connections. The best marketers today are skilled at creating brand narratives that resonate on a human level, backed by data-driven insights that fuel relevance and timing. 2. Scalable Impact with Lean Teams AI is a force multiplier. Imagine a five-person team that achieves the output of a group three times its size. With AI-driven tools, small teams can create more efficient networks and ways of working, while executing dynamic, personalized campaigns at scale—targeting customer segments precisely and responding to real-time trends and feedback. This combination enables marketing teams to reach wider audiences and make a deeper impact without additional resources. 3. Ethical, Responsible Marketing Leadership As AI-driven strategies accelerate, so does the need for ethical vigilance. Savvy marketers ensure that their AI usage respects data privacy and transparency. This approach doesn’t just build compliance; it builds trust with customers who value brands committed to responsible, customer-centric innovation. 4. Adaptability as a Core Skill The marketer of tomorrow is always learning and evolving. As AI continues to progress, so does the need for flexibility. Staying on top of new developments, understanding customer preferences, and integrating fresh insights into strategy make marketing not only smarter but also more agile and aligned with evolving business needs. The marketer of the future isn’t competing with AI; they’re using it to strengthen the things that technology alone can’t achieve. By embracing AI as a partner, we’re creating marketing strategies that are not only scalable and precise but truly aligned with what makes a brand unforgettable. #MarketingInnovation #AIDrivenGrowth #FutureOfMarketing #techmarketing

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Any company can scale their revenue and create enterprise value by building a more sophisticated marketing function. No matter how big or small your team and budget are, Shiv Narayanan’s session at the Canadian Small Business Summit will give you a proven playbook for using data-driven marketing to scale enterprise value. Register for the summit now to join Shiv’s session and dozens of others covering how to build the right team, leverage AI, scale your social media presence, and much more. Learn more and register here → https://lnkd.in/ggkdYbzZ

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Nomad Strategies, believes that a website must be more than visually appealing—it should be a true reflection of your brand’s identity. Our expertise in creating designs that speak directly to our community in Saskatchewan ensures that your website not only draws attention but also builds meaningful engagement. Let's make your brand stand out together! Contact information: Text or Call (306) 850 0834, (306) 850 5033, (639) 998 9050 Email: [email protected] #CaptivatingDesign #BrandIdentity #EngageYourAudience #SaskatchewanWebDesign #ProfessionalWebsites"

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If you'd like to chat about digital transformation, I'll be in attendance and happy to sit down and explain how Focused Forward can elevate your business through the use of automation and AI.

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Heading into 2024, I made a goal to expand my in-person speaking network and experience 🗣 To be able to do it at home in Vancouver with three Marketers who have been sources of support, feedback, and top notch humans over many years is pretty special 💜 Looking forward to taking the stage later this week with Maria Osipova, Katie Berg and Liam Cannon as we get real about driving demand in 2024 (including some very spicy 🔥 draft titles for this panel), which current GTM challenges make influencer marketing a needed channel for both B2B and B2C, and practical tactics on how each of us are using it with our teams Still adding some discussion questions to our session in case we have extra time - what influencer marketing topics are your teams wondering about in Q2?

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Maximize Your "Return on Investment" with Data-Driven Marketing Strategies Discover how digital marketing strategies like content creation, social media management, and SEO can boost your Canadian business's online presence and drive growth. #DigitalMarketing #ContentMarketing #SEOstrategies #SocialMediaManagement #CanadianBusinesses #OnlinePresence #BusinessGrowth #DigitalAdvertising #MarketingTips #DigitalStrategy https://lnkd.in/g_rUi3Za

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Is cash the best performance motivator? Click for 6 case studies that pitted cash rewards against non-cash rewards and learn which came out on top in each case. https://lnkd.in/gSrSUBV7

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Explore effective strategies for lead generation, email list building, and boosting sales in Doug Morneau's enlightening podcast. This episode is a goldmine for marketers and business owners looking to enhance their digital marketing tactics and drive sustainable business growth. Don't miss out on these expert insights! 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭: https://lnkd.in/gP-yitSk #EmailMarketing #LeadGeneration #SalesStrategy

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