Patricia McQuillan, BA Hons., MBA

Tune into the FoodTech Junkies podcast, and delve into a fascinating conversation with Dana McCauley, the talented CEO of the Canadian Food Innovation Network. Throughout this discussion, we explore the rich tapestry that is Canada's food innovation ecosystem, highlighting the intricate web of collaboration that drives progress in this dynamic industry. One of the key points that Dana McCauley emphasizes is the importance of fostering a culture of innovation within Canada's food sector. By encouraging creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, the industry can stay ahead of the curve and continue to push boundaries in terms of product development and sustainability. Furthermore, Dana sheds light on the power of partnerships in driving positive change within the Canadian food landscape. By working together, with stakeholders from across the industry, innovative solutions can be developed to address pressing challenges such as food security and environmental sustainability. #collaboration #foodtech #foodinnovation #podcast #interview #canada #startups

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The CarbonOne team is doing innovating things in the #carbondata space for #FMCG and #CPG brands. This webinar will be worth your time!

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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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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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This op-ed by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois  points out that Canada's agri-food sector may be lacking a clear vision. 🌾💰 This raises critical questions about how we prioritise and innovate within our agricultural policies to better support consumers. Is it time for a strategic overhaul to address these pressing issues? What steps can be taken to ensure a sustainable and affordable food system for all Canadians?  #AgriFood #CanadianEconomy #FoodSecurity https://lnkd.in/gc3UA4gN

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I had a ton of fun digging into marketing, social media, and brand positioning. Finding your 'why' is more important than every in today's noisy landscape! #marketing #foodbusiness #cpg #cpg #foodbranding #marketing

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Two Canadian Marketing Legends. Tony Chapman and Judy Lewis talking about Navigating the now. Here's what I'm struck by as a common thread. Marketers are Change makers In Tony's words "I love Change". Judy: "Marketers can own change". Reminds me of an event last year I attended hearing from another Legend Nancy Marcus who shared that "Marketers are the Guardians of the Organization". Change is a constant in Marketing, arguably it's in the first paragraph of our job description. The best marketers are guiding their companies through the new marketplace. Organizations who are winning are not tethering their marketers and instead are inviting their perspectives in the board room. #EmpoweringLeadership

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Thanks to Michele Sponagle for including us in this thoughtful article about the changes Ozempic creates in today's convenience retail!

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Build Something That Stands Tall Through Time When the CN Tower was built, it was more than just a radio tower. It was a statement. A beacon of innovation that transformed a practical necessity into a symbol of Toronto’s identity. What if we built our companies and brands with the same vision? Not just to solve today’s problems like ‘give me MORE PROTEIN’ … but to become timeless icons. To take what’s functional and turn it into something that is timeless. To inspire pride and identity. All of the world class brands do this. Just like the CN Tower wasn’t merely a structure but a revitalization for a city, our businesses can be more than products or services—they can redefine what it means to stand tall through time. So my question going into the weekend for all of us is … How will you build your legacy? #cultureFIRSTleadership 🎥 … running & exploring Toronto this morning. 👇🏼

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Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Self-Manufacturing CPG Brands in Canada Did you know that self-manufacturing CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) brands are a rare breed in the Canadian industry? Despite their unique value proposition, they often fly under the radar of both retailers and consumers. These brands are the true innovators and disruptors, taking control of their entire production process to bring high-quality products directly to market. By cutting out intermediaries, they can offer better pricing, fresher products, and more personalized experiences for customers. However, their smaller size and limited resources often mean they struggle to get noticed in a crowded market dominated by larger players. It's time for us to shine a light on these hidden gems and give them the recognition they deserve! Let's celebrate and support our Canadian self-manufacturing CPG brands, and work together to bring more innovation and choice to our store shelves. marinellitrue.ca #SelfManufacturing #CPG #CanadianBusiness #Innovation #SupportLocal #HiddenGems #loblaws #sobeys #metro #marinellisauce #marinellitrue

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New Episode Alert! Our very own CRO and triathlete, Colleen Martin is back on Canada’s No. 1 Management Podcast—The Food Professor as a special guest. Colleen joins Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and Michael to present exclusive eCommerce insights into the grocery channel, backed by proprietary research. Here’s a sneak peek of the findings: 🛒 36.7% of Canadians bought groceries online last year, driven by convenience and time savings, but concerns like product quality and delivery costs are still barriers. 🌱 Is sustainability a premium most Canadians can afford during inflation? Our conversation dives deep into this crucial issue. 🔥 Plus, hear more about the alarming rise in food insecurity with over a million Ontarians visiting food banks in just one year. Curious to know what the future holds for eCommerce in the grocery world? Don’t miss out! Click below to listen now & subscribe for more insights! 🔗 https://hubs.li/Q02Q2lz70 #Caddle #TheFoodProfessor #tre #retail #grocery #retailpodcast #ecommerce #groceryecommerce

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Our team at RKI - Research + Knowledge = Insight is so proud to continue our partnership with the Canadian Marketing Association for our fourth annual CMA DEI Report. The 2024 report highlights the continuing need for the Canadian marketing industry to stay vigilant in it's efforts to foster inclusion, combat discrimination and improve employee engagement. Please see below for a link to download the full report. #marketing #DEI #Research #ThoughtLeadership

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Positive or negative multiplier effect? Two ad campaigns are getting attention in Quebec's press recently, though not entirely for the reasons intended. The first is from Sazerac Company, a privately held alcoholic beverage group headquartered in Louisiana, owned by billionaire William Goldring and his family. Their poster campaign, themed "a proudly Québécois summer," displays five products bottled in Quebec, along with an emblem. For context, Quebec has three designations for local products: 1. "Origine Québec" for products entirely made in the province 2. "Préparé au Québec" for products made in Quebec but with ingredients that can be sourced outside Quebec 3. "Embouteillé au Québec" for products made elsewhere but bottled locally Local wine and spirit producers are expressing discontent with the implication that brands like Southern Comfort are local, particularly given the SAQ's plans to reduce the number of locally-made spirits it carries. The second campaign is for Koodo, a subsidiary of TELUS. A multicoloured house has apparently violated local regulations, and the city intends to fine Telus according to reporting by La Presse, despite claims from Camp Jefferson that they obtained the necessary permits. This won't cause major reputational damage. In fact, one could argue that these controversies serve as amplification for two campaigns that might otherwise have received limited attention. As Oscar Wilde famously quipped: "There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." Marcus Daum Ashley Babcock

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Swag can be more than just a promotional item; it can be a tangible expression of your brand's values and a powerful tool for storytelling. In my most recent feature on marketingedge magazine Canada. I offer advice on elevating your swag game and creating a memorable and impactful experience for your customers. I'm excited to share my insights and help you transform your swag into a valuable asset for your brand. And if you're curious to explore this https://lnkd.in/dDn7wj-i for some insightful tips to get you started.

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Naturally, this news will be welcomed with a sigh of relief from some IAB Canada members who have been diligently working towards the deprecation deadline to test alternatives. Many of our members have invested significantly towards new means of addressing audiences in the past year and many had started to report optimistic results. No effort has been wasted as the industry continues to evolve to improve protections for consumers and the mounting regulatory compliance requirements both domestically and across borders. Google’s decision to maintain access to third party cookies while they continue to work through the APIs to build more robust privacy-first solutions is a smart (if not inevitable) move. Some significant and impressive developments in the coming months might result from the extra time being spent to focus efforts on the efficacy and implementation details of a stronger Privacy Sandbox toolkit. This is not however, the time to stop lessening dependence on third party cookie addressability. It's time to invest in privacy protecting strategies that include consent-based data processing - if you've done so - don't look back. It's also important to continue exploring and testing the Google Privacy Sandbox APIs – this will undoubtedly provide valuable learning and inspire innovation. #data #onlineadvertising #cookies #google #iabcanada #privacy

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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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