TCG CAN DELIVER NEWS COVERAGE LIKE THESE FOR YOU:
DUNDEE KILMER DEVELOPMENTS –Toronto Star
Canary District is starting to sing
November 27, 2012
BENVENUTO GROUP – La Presse
Condos, smoked meat et «potentiel d'appréciation»
November 27, 2012
ASPEN RIDGE – Globe & Mail
A Toronto developer approaches suburbia from a different angle
November 21, 2012
WYCLIFFE – Globe and Mail
On Site: Vaughan project adds history to the modern townhouse
November 19, 2012
DANIELS CORPORATION – Globe & Mail
Townhouses close out prestigious master-planned community
November 16, 2012
MENKES – Toronto Star “Front Section”
Building owners not responsible for deaths of birds that fly into it, judge rules
November 14, 2012
NORSTAR/LINDVEST/WYCLIFFE/BRANDY LANE/STREETCAR – Toronto Star
End users seek room to live, long-term value
November 9, 2012
HEATHWOOD HOMES – Toronto Star – Moneyville
How homebuilder Hugh Heron earned bigger tips
November 3, 2012
CERIDIAN CANADA – IT World Canada
Interview: David Ossip on Ceridian Dayforce
November 2, 2012
NORSTAR – Toronto Sun (cover story)
Portrait Condominiums
is the picture of elegance
November 2, 2012
THE GOLDMAN GROUP – Toronto Star – Your Home
Murry Goldman has a passion for building a better Toronto
November 1, 2012
PAESE RISTORANTE – Canadian Immigrant Magazine
Tony Loschiavo Italian Inspiration
November, 2012
DANIELS – Toronto Star - “New Homes & Condos”
Daniels builds with a social heart
October 25, 2012
BENVENUTO/LE BELVEDERE - Copropriétés: une première à Hampstead – La Presse
Copropriétés: une première à Hampstead
October 20, 2012
DANIELS/REGENT PARK - Daniels unveils latest condo project – Toronto Star
Daniels unveils latest condo project
October 11, 2012
EASTON’S GROUP/KING BLUE - Gupta’s hoopla: Seasoned hotelier checks into condo world – National Post
Gupta’s hoopla: Seasoned hotelier checks into condo world
September 28, 2012
PAESE RISTORANTE (all about their Garden) – FOODSERVICE & HOSPITALITY
Toronto Restaurateur Hosts Urban Garden Party
September 18, 2012
SKYLINE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Port McNicoll and the S. S. Keewatin) – GLOBE &MAIL ROB
Titanic-era ship anchors port redevelopment
September 17, 2012
MCMILLAN LLP (Interview with National Mining Group Practice Leader) – BNN TV
Navigating the Regulations in Minerals and Mining
September 5, 2012
ROCKPORT (Wicksteed Business Park) - DAILY COMMERCIAL NEWS
Subtrade tenders pending for Rockport’s Wicksteed Business Park in Toronto
September 4, 2012
ROCKPORT - Condominium Management is the Key to Sustainable Success – Condo Business
Condominium Management is the Key to Sustainable Success
September 9, 2012
BENVENUTO GROUP (Corporate Profile) - MONTREAL GAZETTE
Condo project destined to be a landmark
August 29, 2012
DUNDEE KILMER (Canary District -2015 Athletes Village Pan American and Para Pan American Games) – GLOBE & MAIL ROB
Canary District looks beyond the Pan Am Games
June 25, 2012
ARCHITECTS UNVEIL DYNAMIC DESIGNS FOR VIBRANT NEW CANARY DISTRICT
Ground is broken for first condominium building
Cutting-edge vision for future live-work-play neighbourhood is unveiled

Toronto, May 15, 2012
Toronto’s most exciting new neighbourhood is about to take shape.
A team of renowned architects, city officials and developers, today broke ground on the exciting Canary District, an area in the city’s West Don Lands which will transform from a home for athletes participating in the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, into Toronto’s most ambitious city-building project in generations.
Award-winning, Toronto-based architects Peter Clewes of architectsAlliance and Bruce Kuwabara of KPMB Architects—representing a high-profile Integrated Design Team—along with Waterfront Toronto vice-president of development, Meg Davis, outlined the stunning architectural vision for the dynamic Canary District and surrounding neighbourhood. The sustainable, mixed use neighbourhood will feature 8 buildings including market condominiums, affordable housing, George Brown College student residence, YMCA, and world-class lifestyle amenities and top-tier retail—a winning combination that’s sure to make it Toronto’s most desirable live-work-play destination for decades to come.
“Unlike many athletes’ village projects which are purpose-built to house competitors during major athletic events and then converted to other uses following the games, this project is advancing the building of a community that was already planned and under development,” Davis said of the ambitious project.
Hosted by Soulpepper Theatre Company artistic director Albert Schultz, the event also included an overview of plans for Block 11—Canary District Condominiums, the first building slated for construction—by Dundee Kilmer, and a ground-breaking ceremony for the building. Sales will commence in June 2012.
Of course, this isn’t the area’s first shift in appearance. Originally a Carolinian forest, the West Don Lands has experienced numerous reinventions as parkland in the nineteenth century, a residential community at the turn of the century and an industrial rail land for most of the 20th century.
As Kuwabara and Clewes pointed out, this latest transformation is poised to reshape the West Don Lands once again, leaving behind a sustainable live-work-play neighbourhood that will forever change Toronto’s waterfront.
To ensure aesthetic diversity across the Canary District, teams from four architecture firms—architectsAlliance, KPMB, Daoust Lestage Inc., and MacLellan Jaunkalns Miller Architects—were commissioned to design unique, contemporary buildings reflective of their trademark architectural styles. The Integrated Design Team was tasked to work within Waterfront Toronto’s precinct and block plan built over years of intensive consultation between key stakeholders such as the City of Toronto, local community groups, Infrastructure Ontario, and TO2015 while still injecting their own unique creative flourishes to build a truly livable and sustainable neighbourhood.
“Our challenge was to transform the prescribed blocks into highly livable, contemporary modern architecture while restoring the West Don Lands to the city and contributing to the Waterfront Toronto revitalization vision,” said Kuwabara.
Clewes added that the neighbourhood was designed from the outset as a community for the 21st century, one that achieved a perfect balance between the city and nature. “This is a unique site at the mouth of a historic river, where people can live, work and play in urbane, modern buildings, in the midst of an urban landscape of animated streetscapes, public spaces, pathways, courtyards and plazas,” he said.
Some of the key elements incorporated into the design of the District include an extensive pedestrian network to allow for a highly walkable neighbourhood, open and transparent streetscapes, as well as large-scale building windows and balconies to offer a connection between residents living above and the bustle of streets below—a direct nod to the late Toronto urban planning visionary Jane Jacobs’ ‘eyes on the street’ thesis. Amenities at the base of residential buildings will include retail stores, cafes and restaurants, as well as accessible community and recreational services.
To connect the Canary District with the neighbouring Distillery District, materials such as masonry are being used at street-level, while a contemporary and modern design aesthetic has prevailed to exemplify the area’s status as Toronto’s most cutting-edge new community. The community’s overall design maximizes green spaces throughout and meets LEED® Gold criteria, while honouring requirements of Toronto’s Mandatory Green Building standard.
For more information about the Canary District, please visit www.canarydistrict.com
CONTACT:
David Eisenstadt / Beth Merrick / Rhoda Eisenstadt
The Communications Group Inc.
416-696-9900 ext. 36 / 41 / 33
deisenstadt@tcgpr.com / bmerrick@tcgpr.com/ reisenstadt@tcgpr.com
About Dundee Kilmer Developments L.P.
Dundee Kilmer Developments Limited is a partnership between Dundee Realty Corporation and Kilmer Van Nostrand for the purpose of developing the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Athletes’ Village project in the West Don Lands. Dundee Realty Corporation is a privately-held Toronto-based real estate investment, development and asset management company with approximately $7 billion in assets under management. Dundee Realty brings extensive mixed-use development and financing experience to the Project. In particular, Dundee Realty offers relevant and unique investment and development experience in the immediate vicinity of the Project site that will bring enhanced value to the Project Team.
Kilmer Van Nostrand Co. Limited is the private investment holding company of Canadian business leader and philanthropist, Larry Tanenbaum. Kilmer actively builds and manages investments in real estate and infrastructure, sports, entertainment and media, and private equity. The firm is a well-qualified partner for the Project given its over 40 years of experience in the construction and development industry in Canada, and its track record in partnering with the public sector throughout Canada in the delivery and management of infrastructure assets.
A fusion of diverse talents and strengths, Dundee Kilmer is the ideal team with the knowhow and experience to bring the vision of Canary District to life.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, CANADA was honoured
by the CANADIAN FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION by winning the 2012 CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
AWARD

April 2, 2012
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK – CANADA was honoured, April 2, 2012, by the CANADIAN
FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION at their Gala Dinner by winning the 2012 CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
AWARD for their innovative MIKEY NETWORK / MIKEY-ON-BOARD campaign. The Award
is presented to a franchise system that has demonstrated impactful, genuine
and ongoing concern and support for a community or social service group(s).
Joining President/CEO John Prittie (holding the Award) are the winning Team
(l-r) Two Men And A Truck – Canada CFO, Brad Foster; COO, Dan Hopkins;
Mikey Network Executive Director, Morty Henkle; John Prittie; Two Men And A
Truck GTA North President, Eva Szypulska; Two Men And a Truck – Canada
VP Operations, Chuck Resnick; Mikey Network’s, Irit Salem; TCGPR Partner,
David Eisenstadt; and RealDigital’s Ian Gordon.


L-EAT EXPRESS AND ITS DELIVERY TRIKE - A NEW SPIN
ON DOWNTOWN TORONTO DINING
Restaurateur Tony Loschiavo’s newest establishment
offers fresh food fast, for dine-in or take-out
TORONTO, February 28, 2012
L-EAT Express (www.leatexpress.com), the newest offering
by successful caterer, restaurateur, chef and sommelier Tony Loschiavo, takes
aim at discerning downtown Toronto office, condo and apartment dwellers with
house-made, hand-made Italian fare.
From its 410 Adelaide St. W. location, just west of Spadina in Toronto, L-EAT
Express offers fast delivery service by “Toronto’s first and only
delivery tricycle; a custom-fitted three-wheeler with an insulated box that
keeps food hot or cold while avoiding all the traffic snarls and parking nightmares
traditional delivery methods entail,” Loschiavo said.
Loschiavo’s L-EAT Catering and two Paese restaurants have established
him as a visionary and a traditionalist, a combination poised to make L-EAT
Express his next big success.
With the best ingredients (some grown at Loschiavo’s North York urban
garden that serves all his outlets), heritage Italian flavours and a location
within minutes of the most crowded parts of the city, L-EAT Express offers speedy
food delivery as well as an inviting eat-in environment among Douglas fir-topped
tables and a Milan-style stand-up bar, leather-clad chairs and historic Toronto
photographs. “Home-made sauces, stews, giardiniera and more line the shelves,
offering easy dinner possibilities too,” added Loschiavo.
Said L-EAT’s Director of Operations, Richard Arnold, “Everything
at L-EAT Express is hand-made in-house. We roast turkeys, jar tomato sauce and
preserves, slow-cook stews, make paté, bake decadent dessert squares,
have specially-pressed olive oil bottled in Italy and, even scour the forest
in early spring, picking ramps for pickling on-site. The mayo is made in-house
and provides a base for the aioli. Focaccia is made fresh daily, and all our
breads come from a starter nearly a decade old.”
“Then there’s the coffee,” Loschiavo adds, “Our coffee
is not an after-thought. Pizza, a glass of wine and good coffee. There’s
perfection in this, done the right way. As any self-respecting coffee-loving
Italian would agree.”
L-EAT Express serves only 100 per cent organic, resiprocate coffee, ground on-site
daily and serves Ruffino for our espresso. “Coffee is 99 per cent water,
so it has to be great, too. The water we use is filtered for hardness, but leaves
desirable minerals that complement flavour. And if even a good wine or fine
beer isn’t enough to perk up the afternoon, a caffé corretto should
do it. Corretto corrects an espresso with a shot of liquor, often grappa, Sambuca
or brandy,” Loschiavo said.
ABOUT L-EAT GROUP
L-EAT is owned by Tony Loschiavo. The company’s portfolio includes its
two flagship PAESE Ristorantes (3827 Bathurst St. and 333 King St. W.), L-EAT
Catering and L-EAT Express.
Paese (pa’eze) means town or village; this symbolizes the Bathurst and
Wilson Sts. neighbourhood which was opened in Toronto in 1983. The Company has
stayed true to a handcrafted and house-made approach to a menu that is Italian
inspired, but with a distinctive and original made-in-Canada twist.
L-EAT Catering opened in 1983, is a full service, off-site caterer, dedicated
to creating restaurant-quality meals served with style and panache. L-EAT emphasizes
one-on-one planning and each client has a single contact person who tracks every
detail to make certain each event is a creative expression of your celebrations.
THREE WHEELS, NO WAITING
L-EAT EXPRESS Offers First Tricycle Food Delivery
In Toronto

L-Eat Express delivers an array of its tasty take-out menu aboard a three-wheeler
powered in the most environmentally-responsible way — by two strong legs.
This tricycle features a 2ft. by 30in. by 4ft. box on the back.
Loschiavo, a devoted cyclist, sourced this tricycle through Queen West’s
legendary Duke’s Cycle, and then fitted it with a custom box into which
L-Eat staffers can roll custom-designed, self-contained, insulated coolers that
keep food hot or cold while avoiding all the traffic snarls and parking nightmares
Torontonians dread when travelling in the downtown core.
It’s a delivery decision that makes Loschiavo think about his baby blue
roots. In the early ‘80s, he opened L-EAT, a business that brought lunch
to hard-working hairdressers, often too busy to even sit down, let alone go
out for lunch. He turned natural ingredients into savory sandwiches and homemade
goodies baked at his Mom’s home, and then delivered them by a tuxedo-clad
emissary in a baby blue VW Beetle. “We used to get three parking tickets
a day,” Loschiavo said.
Fast forward to today, Loschiavo adds, “our trike really makes sense in
the downtown core.”
L-EAT EXPRESS is located at 410 Adelaide St. W. Tel. 416-601-9226
Visit http://leatexpress.com/

THE KING OF COTTAGE COUNTRY
OCTOBER, 2011
In the middle of the recession, the Israeli developer Gil Blutrich snapped up
$120 million worth of hotels, resorts and waterfront in Toronto and southern
Ontario. How he built his empire of vacation destinations for the yachting class.
Read the whole article
By Leah McLaren


THEY CAME FOR A “TOPPING OFF”….AND
STAYED FOR THE VIEW
With toonies ready to be tossed into a concrete bucket high atop
the Four Seasons Private Residences Toronto, the May 31/11 topping-off ceremony
also celebrated the sale of Canada's most exclusive condominium residence, purchased
by an international buyer for $28 million, making it the most expensive condominium
sold in Canadian history.
Circling the bucket and joining Alan Menkes, President, High–Rise Residential
Division , Menkes Developments Ltd. (fifth from left) and Isadore Sharp, Founder
and Chairman of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (fourth from left) from left
to right rear are Mel Pearl, President, Lifetime Developments; Steven Menkes,
President, Low-Rise Residential, Menkes Developments Ltd.; George Frankfort,
Partner, Lifetime Developments; Isadore Sharp; Alan Menkes; Murray Menkes, Chairman
of the Board; Mimi Ng, Vice-President, Marketing; Peter Menkes, President, Commercial/Industrial,
Menkes Developments Ltd.; Allan Scoler, Vice President, Design and Construction,
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts; Joe Francavilla, Vice President, Construction,
Menkes Developments Ltd.
The penthouse occupies the top floor of the 55-storey West Residence building,
and encompasses 9,038 sq. ft. of living space. The suite, with panoramic views
of Toronto's towering skyline, features 12 ft. ceilings, a breathtaking floor-to-ceiling
glass galleria and four expansive corner terraces. Included in the price is
a staff residence, located in the adjacent, 26-storey East Residence building.
The staff residence provides the owners with the convenience of separate, private
quarters for household staff located on-site.
“As one of the largest developments of its kind in North America, our
exciting new hotel and private residence in Toronto represents a wonderful affirmation
of the strength of the Four Seasons brand in Canada and around the world,”
said Isadore Sharp, Founder and Chairman of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
“
"This new home will allow us to offer the exquisite service, style and
comforts that have become our hallmark, while remaining the world leader in
luxury hospitality."”
Located at the northeast corner of Bay Street and Yorkville Avenue, Four Seasons
Hotel and Private Residences Toronto is a landmark mixed-use development featuring
a world class hotel and 210 private residences in two sleek 55- and 26-storey
towers.
The iconic development is 85 per cent sold, with a varied selection of suites
in each tower available for purchase.
“"The discerning international buyer of the penthouse suite was attracted
to all that this landmark project has to offer,” said Alan Menkes, President
of the High-Rise Residential Division of Menkes Developments, the managing partner
of the project."
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Toronto boasts the city's finest location,
with stunning architecture, impeccably designed living spaces and globally renowned
service standards.”
Designed by architectsAlliance, the 55-storey West Residence tower is comprised
of a 253-room Four Seasons Hotel on the first 20 floors, and 100 Private Residences
above. The 26-storey East Residence tower has 110 Private Residences and is
connected to its sister building by an elevated pedestrian bridge. Both towers
share a courtyard designed by internationally-renowned Claude Cormier Landscape
Architects.
The Private Residences' suite designs and finishes have been created by Brian
Gluckstein Design Planning. Featuring generous room configurations and timeless
appointments, Private Residences range in size from 1,000 to 9,000 sq. ft. and
start at $1.9 million.
Yabu Pushelberg has designed the Hotel and Private Residence lobbies, the spa,
ballroom/conference facilities and hotel rooms. Residence owners will have access
to the services and amenities of the Four Seasons Hotel, including a 28,000
sq. ft. spa, health club, pool, 24-hour concierge, in-residence dining and housekeeping.
The spa will feature a sky-lit lap pool, whirlpool, private treatment rooms
and a state-of-the-art fitness club.
Construction on Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Toronto is well underway
with first occupancies and the hotel opening scheduled for summer 2012.
The developer is Bay-Yorkville Developments Ltd., a joint venture between Menkes
Developments Ltd., Lifetime Developments and Alcion Ventures. Menkes Construction
Ltd. is building both the hotel and residences.
For more information about Four Seasons Private Residences Toronto, please visit
www.yorkvilleresidences.com.
-30-
Four Seasons Private Residences Toronto are not owned, developed or sold by
Four Seasons Hotels Limited or its affiliates (Four Seasons). Bay-Yorkville
Developments Limited uses the Four Seasons trademarks and trade names under
a license from Four Seasons Hotels Limited. The marks "FOUR SEASONS”,
"FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS," any combination thereof and the
Tree Design are registered trademarks of Four Seasons Hotels Limited in Canada
and U.S.A. and of Four Seasons Hotels (Barbados) Ltd. elsewhere.


We are privileged to represent many blue chip clients,
as their PR Consultants in Canada.
In that context, I wanted to let you know about one of them….MCMILLAN, LLP, who on Tuesday, Nov. 9/10, announced they were creating a new firm, by combining with Lang, Michener LLP.
We are not unfamiliar with how to manage sensitive information.
Below my signature, you’ll note our News Release (Nov. 9/10) approach …. and just 3, of many examples of “COVERAGE GENERATED” in print, online, broadcast and social media…
Here’s the Nov.10/10…. GLOBE & MAIL REPORT ON BUSINESS, FINANCIAL POST and the TORONTO STAR; McMillan’s CEO Andrew Kent was also on BNN TV on Nov 9/10.
Always available for our Team to be of help to you. We are just
a phone call or email away.
NEWS RELEASE:
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MCMILLAN AND LANG MICHENER COMBINE TO CREATE
A NEW CANADIAN BUSINESS LAW FIRM WITH NATIONAL REACH
TORONTO, November 9, 2010---McMillan LLP and Lang Michener LLP today announced
that they have reached an agreement to combine, effective January 1, 2011, to
form a new leading Canadian law firm specializing in the needs of business with
top legal talent and client-focused service.
McMillan and Lang Michener have chosen to continue under the single name: McMillan.
The new firm will rank among the leading Canadian law firms based on size and
reach, offering clients a more robust national presence and stronger international
ties.
“This is a great opportunity for McMillan, Lang Michener and for our combined
current and future clients,” said Andrew Kent, CEO. “The combined
firm, the new McMillan, stands as a truly modern, ambitious law firm with enhanced
scope, a deeper bench and a broad range of expertise.”
“For our clients this means expanded service and greater opportunity.
For our partners, lawyers and staff it means the chance to participate in and
contribute to a growth-oriented enterprise as we build together for the future,”
said Robert Cranston, Managing Partner, Lang Michener, Eastern Division.
“This represents an ideal partnership – one that honours and extends
the ethic of excellence and expertise upon which Lang Michener and its predecessor
firms were founded,” said François Tougas, Chair, Lang Michener,
Western Division.
The combined firm will have close to 400 lawyers, with offices in Vancouver,
Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Hong Kong and have complementary
product offerings creating numerous opportunities for cross-collaboration and
expansion.
The new firm will provide a broader mix of services and specialties to clients
from more offices across Canada and in the critical growth markets of Asia and
Latin America. The firm is poised to bolster its presence across a number of
key industry sectors including: mining, forest products, oil and gas, financial
services, transportation, technology and communications, manufacturing, automotive
and more.
“This is just the beginning,” added Kent. “Our combined law
firm will be defined by a focus on geographic expansion, continued growth in
product offerings and professional excellence. In the weeks, months and years
to come our ambition is clear: To stand as the best and first choice in Canada
for business clients seeking first class legal advice, support and service.”
For further information or to request an interview, please contact:
David Eisenstadt
Partner
The Communications Group Inc.
(416) 696-9900 extension 36
1-800-267-4476 extension 36
Email: deisenstadt@tcgpr.com
About McMillan LLP
McMillan is a leading Canadian business law firm distinguished by broad experience
and recognized expertise in major business sectors and acknowledged leadership
in competition/antitrust, corporate restructuring and insolvency and financial
services. Founded in 1903 by Newton W. Rowell and together with the leadership
of Gordon McMillan and Bill Binch, the firm has been committed to client service
and professional excellence for over 100 years. In 2005, McMillan Binch inToronto
combined with Mendelsohn in Montréal to offer national legal services
and, in 2009, McMillan and Calgary’s Thackray Burgess combined to create
McMillan LLP. Today, McMillan provides definitive legal advice to businesses,
financial institutions, governments and private individuals in Canada, the United
States and internationally. For more information, please visit our website at
www.mcmillan.ca.
About Lang Michener LLP
Lang Michener is a leader in Canada's legal profession and has been for more
than 80 years. Our international firm, with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver
and Hong Kong, has over 200 professionals who provide effective, innovative
solutions to Canadian and international clients. Lang Michener was founded in
1927 when Roland Michener and Daniel Lang began their partnership in Toronto.
The Right Honourable Roland Michener was Speaker of the House of Commons and
Governor-General of Canada. In 1989, Lang Michener merged with Vancouver law
firm Lawrence & Shaw to become the national law firm we are today. We have
played a major role in shaping Canada’s economic and political institutions,
and understand the competitive global needs of our country’s leading companies
and industries. For more information, please visit our website at www.langmichener.ca.
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Meet Bay Street’s newest national law
firm

JEFF GRAY — LAW REPORTER
From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Nov. 09, 2010 6:14PM EST
Last updated Tuesday, Nov. 09, 2010 6:15PM EST
It was codenamed Project Grayson – a boring label meant to throw the curious off the scent – and began about a year ago with a meeting between managing partners from two law firms at a downtown Toronto Starbucks. Now, the project is a reality.
The name of Lang Michener LLP will die as the firm merges with McMillan LLP in a move that creates a newBay Street player with 400 lawyers, offices across the country – and big ambitions.
“He had a coffee, I had a hot chocolate,” said Robert Cranston, Lang Michener’s eastern managing partner, who suggested the meeting in a call to McMillan chief executive officer Andrew Kent. “That’s how it all started. Nothing glamorous.”
It was the first date, both firms say, of a marriage officially unveiled Tuesday that aims to create a serious new competitor among the country’s top-tier law firms.
The two mid-sized firms have Toronto offices a few floors apart in Brookfield Place. With 200 lawyers each across the country, the merger creates a new national organization that rivals Ogilvy Renault LLP in size. (By comparison, heavyweight Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP has 550 lawyers.)
While head count by no means equals influence on Bay Street, the new McMillan LLP hopes to put its new size to good use, ramping up efforts on behalf of Canadian companies investing abroad and seeking opportunities to compete for global clients.
The move, which takes effect Jan. 1, may spell the end of Lang Michener’s name – which honours co-founders former governor-general Roland Michener and senator Daniel Lang – but Mr. Cranston said it does not come from a place of weakness. Lang Michener’s leadership had long been talking about a merger to take the firm to the next level, said Mr. Cranston, who becomes the new firm’s Toronto managing partner.
McMillan was an obvious strategic fit. Lang Michener has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Hong Kong, while McMillan has shingles hanging in Toronto, Calgary and Montreal. The merger allows the two firms to scale up dramatically in Toronto, as well combine their resources to ensure a presence across the country.
Key to the deal for McMillan is clearly Lang Michener’s large Vancouver arm. It was created in 1989, when Lang Michener swallowed the Vancouver firm Lawrence & Shaw, but it remained a separate operation within the firm. In the 1990s, it shrank with the commodity markets on which its business depends, but has since boomed, doubling in size to 85 lawyers.
François Tougas, chairman of Lang Michener’s western division, said the firm’s Canadian mining clients are increasingly pursuing investments and financing overseas, while foreign investors shopping the globe for mining deals are also shopping for legal advice.
Getting bigger, and doing it quickly, was the only way to compete with established British and U.S. firms in this sector around the world, he said. “If you want to play on that field, you need a certain scope and scale.”
McMillan has been on a merger-fed growth spurt in recent years, transforming itself into a firm with more of a national reach by swallowing Mendelsohn in Montreal in 2005 and much of Calgary’s Thackray Burgess last year.
Mr. Kent, who becomes the new McMillan LLP’s CEO when the merger takes effect, said the firm’s latest move reflects the need to get bigger in order to deal with the increasingly complexity of the legal world.
“The demands in the marketplace on law firms keep going up,” he said, pointing out that law firms in cities across North American have become bigger and more complex organizations in the past two decades.
Such a major merger is not without pitfalls. For example, sometimes clients must be jettisoned when two law firms merge, as it often turns out they are either fierce competitors or even at each other’s throats in a legal battle. In this case, Mr. Kent said, the two firms are virtually conflict- free because many of their strong practice areas do not overlap.
There is also the issue of dissenting partners. Big mergers sometimes result in splinter groups. But in this case, of the 170 partners from both firms who voted on the deal, only three objected and have decided to leave, according to the firm’s managing partners. (Neither Mr. Kent nor Mr. Cranston would reveal who they were.)
At least one rival says the move makes sense. Hugh MacKinnon, managing partner of Bennett Jones LLP, said firms that want to be truly national need to take advantage of economies of scale.
“If a firm is willing to deal with the increased business and other conflict issues inherent in having multiple domestic offices, it makes sense to be as broad as possible and enjoy the benefits that come with economies of scale and regional diversification,” Mr. MacKinnon said. “In this case, I think it’s a good move by both firms.”
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Storied+firms+unite/3804201/story.html
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Building a bigger McMillan

Peter J. Thompson/National Post
From left, Bob Cranston of Lang Michener,
Andrew Kent of McMillan, and Francois Tougas of Lang Michener. McMillan is merging
with Lang Michener on Jan. 1.
Comments
Drew Hasselback, Financial Post · Tuesday,
Nov. 9, 2010
It began with a chat over coffee and hot chocolate. Robert Cranston, managing partner of the eastern division of Lang Michener LLP met Andrew Kent, chief executive of McMillan LLP, at a downtown Toronto Starbucks earlier this year.
The two lawyers got together to launch discussions leading to the merger of their firms. Those talks have resulted in Tuesday's announcement that McMillan and Lang Michener are merging to create a new national business law firm with about 400 lawyers and offices in five Canadian cities and Hong Kong.
The merger takes effect on Jan. 1, with the new firm using the single name McMillan.
The talks were initiated by Lang Michener, which had been looking for a way to deepen its bench strength. Clients were urging the firm, which has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Hong Kong, to expand so it could offer a greater range of services, Mr. Cranston said.
It didn't take long for Lang Michener to flag McMillan as an obvious partner. Toronto-based McMillan had already demonstrated its desire to grow by recently merging with firms in Montreal and Calgary.
"We had looked at McMillan before that meeting and we saw from a high level that this was a very good fit," Mr. Cranston recalls. "Our clients were telling us that we could grow our work if we were in Calgary and Montreal."
Mr. Kent also saw the potential mesh. Despite the firm's previous mergers, McMillan wasn't interested in growing just for the sake of growing. Any deal would have to improve service for clients, Mr. Kent insisted.
"This transaction is true to that," Mr. Kent said. "We really do see it as 2 + 2 = 5."
Mr. Kent will serve as chief executive of the new firm. Although Lang Michener governs itself using the traditional partnership structure, the new McMillan will continue under the "quasi-corporate" management structure the old McMillan adopted in 1998.
Managers from both firms insist they mesh not just in terms of geography, but also of culture and practice area. Lang Michener serves a lot of natural resource clients in Vancouver -- particularly miners, which account for almost half of that office's revenue.
Lang Michener's Toronto office will beef up the new firm's strength in business law, insurance matters and public markets work, while its Ottawa office offers opportunity for growth in government-related projects. For its part, McMillan contributes oil and gas experience from Calgary, while the firm's Toronto office offers experience in financial institutions matters, automotive work, 3-P infrastructure projects and competition files.
The fit continues with clients. Francois Tougas, chairman of Lang Michener's western division, said both firms were surprised at how few conflicts arise from the merger. Whenever firms consider merging, they need to sort out whether they are currently representing adverse parties in transactions or disputes.
"The practices are complementary and synergistic," Mr. Tougas said.
The new McMillan expects to use its national platform to attract more Canadian M&A business, Mr. Kent said. "If you look at the two firms, neither of us has been a big M&A firm. ... That would be a specific thing we'd like to have."
Mr. Tougas added that the larger firm will build on Lang Michener's experience with its Hong Kong office to develop some international business. For example, the Vancouver office is already doing a significant amount of work helping South American mining clients access North American capital markets, he said.
Lang Michener has used its Hong Kong base to develop business in Beijing and South China. Mr. Tougas said the firm is now targeting India. "Ten years from now we'll be talking about how big India is going to be for us. Bricks and mortar will probably be a question five years from now."
McMillan's roots go back to 1903. It was founded by Newton Rowell, and grew under the leadership of Gordon McMillan and Bill Binch. Lang Michener was founded in 1927 when Roland Michener and Daniel Lang began their partnership in Toronto.
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Storied+firms+unite/3804201/story.html#ixzz14uftTiy4
http://www.thestar.com/article/888208
Legal eagles McMillan, Lang Michener merge
under the McMillan moniker
Published On Tue Nov 09 2010
Business Reporter
Two of Canada’s most historic law firms have joined forces to create a business law-focused powerhouse with an eye to expanding into Asia and Latin America.
McMillan LLP and Lang Michener LLP announced yesterday they will combine into a single entity under the name McMillan, effective Jan. 1.
The combined firm will have close to 400 lawyers in offices across Canada and in Hong Kong with “complementary product offerings creating numerous opportunities for cross-collaboration and expansion” in several industry sectors, the firms said in a release.
The new McMillan will be the 12th largest law firm in the country, ahead of Bennett Jones LLP and just behind Ogilvy Renault LLP, according to this year’s rankings in Canadian Lawyer magazine. McMillan is currently tied with Goodmans LLP for 20th place, while Lang Michener is ranked 22nd.
The merger is a sign of difficult economic times, said Chi Carmody, a law professor at the University of Western Ontario.
“They’re doing business in an incredibly competitive market, so Canadian law firms are having to look at streamlining their operations,” he said.
Both firms have offices in Toronto and Lang Michener is also located in Ottawa, Vancouver and Hong Kong, while McMillan has offices in Montreal and Calgary.
“The new firm will rank among the leading Canadian law firms based on size and reach, offering clients a more robust national presence and stronger international ties,” the companies said in a news release.
It is set to bolster its presence across a number of industry sectors including mining, forest products, oil and gas, financial services, transportation, technology and communications, manufacturing, automotive and more, the release added.
“The combined firm, the new McMillan, stands as a truly modern, ambitious law firm with enhanced scope, a deeper bench and a broad range of expertise,” said McMillan CEO Andrew Kent, who will run the new company.
It will provide a broader mix of services and specialties to clients from more offices across Canada and in the growth markets of Asia and Latin America, he said.
McMillan LLP, founded in 1903, has expertise in competition, antitrust, corporate restructuring and insolvency law and financial services in Canada, the United States and abroad.
Lang Michener was founded in 1927 when Roland Michener, who later became governor general, and Daniel Lang began their partnership in Toronto.




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"Reliable and creative. TCG is a personal services firm who understand how to work successfully with a personal services firm. They are KRP's PR Consultants of choice." |
Ralph Rabinowicz, C.A.
Managing Partner
Kestenberg • Rabinowicz • Partners LLP
Markham, ON
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“Thank you David and the TCG Team for your great work on the 2009 EnerQuality Survey Campaign. Since initiating this Survey four years ago, we never achieved as much coverage as you’ve generated this year. Much appreciated.” |
Corey McBurney
President
EnerQuality Corporation,
Toronto
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“TCG is a valued partner to our business and has been instrumental in raising the profile of our industry association (Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario),and the creation of “CRB Program” brand and reputation in the Ontario consumer marketplace. Their skills, experience and professional advice have been spot-on, whenever challenges have presented themselves. We look forward to a long continued relationship with TCG for many years to come!” |
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“In June ‘09, TCG again proved PR sells, helping us craft messages to launch uCorder, our wearable mini camcorder. They aggressively and effectively courted broadcast, online, social, broadcast and print news media and because of their excellent cross-Canada relationships and hard work, we garnered extensive attention which produced direct response on our web site, plus highly-profitable sales. More important, coverage generated helped us close deals with major re-sellers in the US and Canada. We are very pleased with their work and will continue to seek their counsel as we build our consumer electronic brands and Company.” |

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“TCG ensured that Greater Toronto Area news media got a clear message as Parkers became the first Canadian dry cleaner to launch ‘Solvair’ on April 14/09. Reporters “aired their dirty laundry” with me and learned about a new, greener process using a very low-volatility, environmentally-friendly fluid and a gentle no-heat drying technology. As Toronto’s oldest and most experienced dry cleaner, and because of TCG, we’ve become the go-to company for news media interested in the latest trends and industry background.” |

TCG Managing Partner Rhoda Eisenstadt accepted
the BILD award for Best Public Relations Campaign (Low Rise) for its work on
behalf of The Mikey Network, Heathwood Homes and the Heron Group of Companies.
Shown (r-l) are Heathwood Homes’ COO Housing, Bob Finnigan and Eva Szypulska
The Building Industry and Land Development Association of Toronto (BILD) has
awarded the 2009 Best PR Campaign (Low-Rise) to The Communications Group Inc.
for its work representing The Mikey Network, Heathwood Homes and The Heron Group
of Companies.
With more than 1,400 member companies, BILD is the voice of the land development,
home building and professional renovation industries in the Greater GTA. BILD
is affiliated with the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders' Associations.
Heathwood Homes, one of The Heron Group of Companies, is a Greater Toronto Area
homebuilder with a reputation for offering more-than-expected detailing and
quality craftsmanship at a range of prices. The company was formed in 1991 as
a joint venture partnership between Heron and Daniels Capital Corporation. For
nearly 30 years, Heron Homes has excelled at meeting and exceeding homeowner
expectations in fine communities across Southern Ontario.
The Mikey Network was named for Mike Salem – a partner in Heathwood Homes
and The Heron Group of Companies. In the summer of 2002, Mike was golfing in
the Muskokas. He hit his first shot, drove up to his second and then his heart
skipped a beat. Miles away from help, Mike passed away doing what he loved best,
playing golf. In 2003, The Mikey Network was established by Heathwood and Heron
in memory of its friend and partner. No one knows whether a defibrillator could
have helped to save Mike’s life, but in his name, The Mikey Network places
Mikeys in as many public places as possible, so that other cardiac arrest victims
may have a second chance. To date, over 600 Mikeys have been funded and placed
throughout the GTA…..GO Transit, Variety Village, Toronto Fire Service,
Toronto District School Board, Tim Horton Childrens Foundation (Camps), to mention
a few.
THE CANADIAN TENORS PERFORMED - THE RESIDENCES
AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, TORONTO - March 4, 2009

The Canadian Tenors dazzled a crowd of nearly 300 at a special presentation
at Roy Thompson Hall hosted by the developers of The Residences At The Ritz-Carlton,
Toronto. Guests were treated to an intimate concert performance as the project,
well under construction, was showcased and clearly visible across the street.
In addition, Bentley, another of the worlds most trusted luxury brands, displayed
for the first time in Canada two new automobiles. Shown at the piano is Michael
Beckley, Senior Vice President of Development for Marriott International Inc.
owner of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and (l-r) Remigio Pereira and Clifton
Murray, The Canadian Tenors; Tina Amato, Vice President, Baker Real Estate Incorporated;
Victor Micallef, The Canadian Tenors; Stuart Cochrane, Regional General Manager,
Bentley Motors; Fraser Walters, The Canadian Tenors; Steve Gutfreund, Senior
Vice President, Graywood Developments Ltd. and Tim Terceira, General Manager
of the soon-to-be opened Ritz-Carlton, Toronto.

120 Trucks to Participate in a Continuous
Concrete Pour at
Four Seasons Private Residences
CLICK to see the movie on the Concrete Pour: (Please wait for loading the complete clip)
| FLASH Movie version (small - 330x250) |
Quick-time movie version (SMALl - 330x250) |
FLASH Movie version |
WHAT:
• Over a 12-14 hour period, 120 cement trucks will convene at six different
pouring locations at the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Bay/Yorkville
site in Toronto.
• 150 construction workers, 120 cement trucks per hour will unload concrete in a continuous pour.
• To allow for the simultaneous concrete pour, traffic will be stopped on Yorkville Ave., between Yonge St. & Bay St. Bay St. will be closed south from Scollard St. to Bloor St.
WHERE:
The 6th level of the Yorkville-Cumberland Parking Lot (between Yorkville and
Cumberland) is the “Command Centre” and offers the best view of
the overall pouring process.
Access to the parking lot is at the Cumberland Entrance.
WHEN:
Saturday, November 29/08
Noon - 4pm (Best times for News Media)
WHO:
Paul McMurray - Project Manager
CONTACT:
Wendy Petcoff/Beth Merrick/David Eisenstadt
The Communications Group Inc.
(416) 696-9900 ext. 29/40/36
wpetcoff@tcgpr.com/bmerrick@tcgpr.com/deisenstadt@tcgpr.com
Wendy Petcoff’s cell (on-site): (647) 339-5049

IPREX RECRUITS TORONTO’S THE COMMUNICATIONS
GROUP INC. AND BOOSTS NEW REAL ESTATE PRACTICE
ATLANTA, GA – 8 October, 2008
The Communications Group Inc (TCG) based in Toronto, Canada, is the latest firm
elected to IPREX, the worldwide corporation of independent PR firms.
TCG (www.tcgpr.com) has built a first-class national reputation in the real
estate sector, currently representing clients such as: Residences at the Ritz-Carlton,
Toronto, Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Toronto, Daniels Corporation
and Aspen Ridge Homes.
In addition, the firm has a well-regarded high-tech practice, working with such
companies as McAfee, Inc. and OKI Printing Solutions. TCG also represents professional
services firms such as WeirFoulds LLP and has worked with food service/hospitality
companies such as Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
TCG complements the corporate, financial and government relations work of IPREX
partner firm Wertheim & Company, also in Toronto, and adds new skills to
the organization’s wider Canadian operation (Hedlin Lauder Communications,
in Calgary, AB and Peak Communicators, in Vancouver, BC).
IPREX President North America, Gwinavere Johnston (JohnstonWells PR, Denver)
said, “Several of us have first-hand experience of TCG’s professionalism,
and are looking forward to expanding our working relationship with them. Under
TCG’s Managing Partner, Rhoda Eisenstadt, their team brings new perspectives
to our Canadian network and will play an important role in the IPREX Real Estate
Communications Counsel we have just launched.”
TCG Founding Partner David Eisenstadt brings considerable international experience
to IPREX, having served as International Chairman of the Executive Committee
of the Public Relations Society of America Counselors Academy and as Chairman
of Pinnacle Worldwide.
About IPREX
IPREX (www.iprex.com) is one of the world’s major corporations of
independent public relations firms. Founded in 1983 its 63 partners have 84
offices in 28 countries throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, and
Asia Pacific, with annual revenues of $112m. Its 1,000 professionals provide
a comprehensive range of services for some of the world’s most successful
companies
IPREX media enquiries
David Watson: davidw@campaignteam.biz +44 1273 845462
IPREX
Bobbie Goodwin: experts@iprex.com +1 770 763 5846



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The Daniels Corporation will offer the units below the average market-selling price under its 'Triple 5' Downpayment Assistance Program. The project will receive $1.61 million from the federal and provincial governments under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program (AHP).
Raking the poured concrete and flanking Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Hon. John Gerretsen (third from left) and Dino Chiesa, Chairman of the Board, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (second from right) are executives from The Daniels Corporation (l-r) Tom Dutton, Senior Vice President; John Daniels, Founder and Chair; Mitchell Cohen, President and Martin Blake, Vice President, Project Implementation.

(Photo: Paul Casselman)


Built in the late 1870’s, these buildings are in desperate need of major improvements, both inside and out. The planned improvements include a new roof, new windows, up-to-date electrical systems, exterior brick restoration and upgraded retail space that will provide our customers with the finest of gourmet foods. Our goal is to restore and expand these buildings to the same high-quality and standard of the Summerhill LCBO at the North Toronto Station.
THE HARVEST WAGON, ALL THE BEST FINE FOODS, OLLIFFE’S and PISCES GOURMET SEAFOOD will continue to operate while the work proceeds. Construction has already begun on the new MBCo ROSEDALE CAFÉ and is scheduled to open in July, 2006. MBCo provides a “European” culinary experience, centred around quality and great taste. In March, All The Best Party Store will move to the rear of the Cheese Shop and construction will begin as the former Party Store will become the new location of Olliffe’s Butcher Shop. Olliffe’s new store is scheduled to open in June, 2006, but they will operate in their current location for the time being. Early next year, Pisces Gourmet Seafood will move to a new store fronting on Price Street, next to MBCo Rosedale Café. The Harvest Wagon and All the Best Fine Foods will then expand their retail space significantly in their current locations.
The Shops of Scrivener Square will be restored and expanded by Woodcliffe Corporation, under the supervision of The City of Toronto Heritage Preservation Services. The improved and expanded retail stores are being designed by the internationally-recognized design firm, Gervais Harding & Associates of Montréal. We apologize for any inconvenience you may experience during construction, but rest assured that every effort is being made to ensure disruptions are minimized. The work is being phased to keep all the shops operating continuously during construction.
Over the next month, you will notice a new signage program that will direct you to your favourite Shop and we will continue to update you on our progress. We look forward to completing our work as soon as possible to better serve our loyal customers and friends in the future, as we have in the past.

TETRA PAK LAUNCHES CREATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE IN SCHOOL ROOMS ACROSS CANADA
Program Combines Education, Art to Raise Awareness
of Recycling, Waste Reduction
MONTRÉAL, PQ – January 16, 2006
Tetra Pak Canada today launched the First Annual “Get Your Creative Juices
Going” National Classroom Art Challenge.
Said Tetra Pak president Evelyn Watson, “We initiated this program for
students across Canada to conceive innovative and creative classroom art projects
using a minimum of 500 empty Tetra Pak cartons and other recyclable materials.
An educational curriculum was developed specifically for the challenge and focuses
on the subject of waste management and recycling.”
The Art Challenge begins today and runs through April 15/06. Winners will be
announced May 10/06.
“We are committed to environmental responsibility and the goal of this
program is twofold: to challenge students’ creativity and to raise awareness
of environmental issues in waste reduction and diversion,” added Ms Watson.
“Using art and creativity as a tool, we hope to educate Canada’s
youth on the importance of preserving the environment”.
A distinguished Judging Committee from the arts community will select winning
submissions from five regions across the country.
The Committee includes:
• Lance Carlson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alberta College
of Art and Design
• Dr Janos Fedak, Head, Department of Fine Arts, University of Prince
Edward Island
• Kenneth Lum, Professor, Fine Arts Department, University of British
Columbia
• Frederic Metz, Director, Graphic Design Program, University of Québec
• Lenore Richards, Dean, Faculty of Design, Ontario College of Art and
Design
Criteria for judging submissions are based on creativity, ingenuity, teamwork
and cooperation and innovative uses of a variety of recyclable materials.
One prize will be awarded in each of the five regions with each prize consisting
of four computers, books, and software with a retail value of $12,000. Each
of the winning classes in the five regions will receive a prize for each student
in that class consisting of backpacks, software and cordless phone valued at
$180 per prize.
The program is open to all schools in Canada. Schools and classes can enter
as often as they like. For further details, or to enter the challenge, visit
www.tetrapakcreativechallenge.com.
ABOUT TETRA PAK
Tetra Pak is a leading producer of processing and packaging systems for liquid
foods. With 85 employees, Tetra Pak Canada is based in Richmond Hill, Ontario
with a satellite office in Montréal, PQ. Tetra Pak Canada is part of
the Tetra Pak Group which has approximately 21,000 employees working in 58 markets
worldwide. In the past year, Tetra Pak sold 120 billion packages, transporting
over 60 billion litres of liquid food to consumers.
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION - RHODA EISENSTADT
COMMUNICATION
SUCCESS
SPECIAL
ISSUE 2005

How does a teaching career morph into managing partner
of one of Canada’s largest independently owned public relations consulting
firms? For Rhoda Eisenstadt of The Communications Group, Inc. (TCG), the metamorphosis
began when she was on maternity leave with her first child. “My husband,
David, had started a communications firm and someone was needed to do research
for the company’s consultants. I stepped in, learned a lot about the business
and stayed.”
Rhoda’s experience as a teacher proved invaluable in her transition to
public relations. “I have keen organization skills, know how to multi-task
and think creatively. In communications, as in teaching, we reach out to people
to get points across.”
Toronto-based TCG serves Canadian and multi-national clients from numerous business
sectors through its relationship with PR firms around the world. Rhoda focuses
primarily on real estate. “We work with developers/builders, their advertising
agencies, and marketing and sales people to create PR strategies that support
marketing objectives.”
This involves project and corporate positioning. “We help clients sell
out their communities as quickly as possible. Our job starts before a community
is opened, to well after owners move in. We handle publicity, events, newsletter
creation, registrant/purchaser letters, homeowner manuals, how-to-guides for
buying a home – all non-advertising communications.”
To heighten public awareness of the corporate entity, Rhoda says, “We
work with clients on branding initiatives that clearly communicate their competitive
advantage. This might involve presenting them as industry experts through speaking
opportunities and bylined columns (TCG writers ghostwrite speeches and articles),
or setting up company-wide affinity programs that encourage repeat business.
Media training is another service we provide to help clients communicate effectively.
We also generate public awareness about corporate citizenship through publicity
and sponsorship programs.”
Rhoda says the past year has been particularly exciting. “There are close
to 300 high-rise projects on the go in Toronto, so competition is fierce. We
are fortunate to work with the best low-rise and high-rise developers and builders
in the GTA, who recognize they must position themselves in a distinctive way.”
TCG prides itself on non-conventional approaches. “For the recent opening
of 100 Yorkville, we hired paparazzi and people to escort VIPs along a red carpet
to attract attention. Prior to the opening of London on the Esplanade, we held
a pub night for people who live and work in the area to heighten awareness and
help build the prospective purchaser list.”
The Communications Group, Inc., 65 Overlea Blvd., Fourth Floor, Toronto, ON
M4H 1P1, Tel: (416) 696-9900, Fax: (416) 696-9897.
At prestigious Kilgour Estate, TCG arranged for a glasswork exhibit fro, the
Sandra Ainsley Gallery. “This event helped create excitement about the
project’s second phase and attracted patrons of the arts.” Another
attention-getting strategy involved a beach volleyball tournament with Canadian-ranked
players at Waterview to showcase the condominium’s recreational lifestyle.
An example of TCG’s “guerrilla-type” tactics involves dressing
young people in T-shirts emblazoned with a project’s logo and sending
them out in a cool convertible through Toronto’s club area and financial
district. “They talk to people who fit the hip, first-time purchaser profile
and hand out promotional CDs.”
Rhoda is quick to point out that TCG’s success is the result of teamwork.
“We’re like-minded individuals who think and work outside the box.
We do what needs to be done to best serve our clients’ objectives.”


CTV Covers Ritz Carlton Hotel and Condo
Residences News Conference in Toronto
TORONTO – September 26, 2005
| CTV (6:00 pm) |
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(Please wait for a few minutes for loading the complete clips)

While under development, FILMPORT will create 2,000 person-years
of employment in the construction, manufacturing and service sectors. When completed,
the complex is expected to annually induce direct and indirect economic impacts
of over $600 million in Ontario, and support up to 2,000 person-years of employment.
The studio complex will also generate $4.3 million of additional property taxes
for the city.
This initial phase will comprise 232,500 sq. ft. of production facilities including
six state-of-the-art sound stages totalling 123,000 sq. ft. and over 100,000
sq. ft. of production offices and support facilities.
Phase 1 also includes the ‘mega-stage’ that will be North America’s
largest, purpose-built sound stage. At 45,000 sq. ft., this state-of-the-art
stage will have 65 ft. of clear height and a floor space 180 ft. wide by 250
ft. long (over an acre in area) – entirely without columns. It will be
large enough to house a full-sized replica of the Parthenon.
“This stage will attract blockbuster feature films costing $100 million
or more, like X-Men 2 and 3 and Superman 3. With its distinctive, vaulting roofline,
it will be a signature landmark in the Port Lands. FILMPORT will instantly gain
worldwide recognition that will make Toronto competitive with the biggest film
centres anywhere,” Ferguson added.
TFS is striving to have construction completed next winter. Thereafter, the
complex will expand to 550,000 sq. ft. of production space including more than
a dozen sound stages. Development outside the studio gates, will include up
to one million sq. ft. of offices, restaurants, conference facilities and possibly
a hotel, as well as additional industrial and commercial space for related industries.
The combined development cost of the studio complex and surrounding commercial
space is $275 million.
Financing is being put in place now that a lease agreement is signed. Toronto
Film Studios’ parent company, The Rose Corporation, and its equity partners
will provide $25 million in equity. HSBC Bank Canada (Canada’s largest
international bank) has offered construction financing. Permanent financing
is being arranged by The Rose Corporation.
Toronto Film Studios Inc. is already Canada's largest film studio operator,
currently managing 360,000 sq. ft. of facilities in the Port Lands area. TFS
has hosted many of the city’s largest film productions including David
Cronenberg’s A History of Violence and Ron Howard’s Cinderella Man.
The Rose Corporation is a privately-held, Toronto-based merchant bank with a
25 year record of success. It takes pride in providing debt and equity financing
for imaginative projects like FILMPORT.
TEDCO is designated as the city-wide redevelopment arm for Toronto. It is an
Ontario business corporation with the City of Toronto as its sole shareholder.
It was incorporated in 1986 to pursue industrial development and to attract
and retain jobs in the city. It is a self-financing, arms-length corporation
supported by an 11 person board of directors appointed by City Council.
TEDCO owns over 450 acres (162 hectares) of land in the Port Lands and elsewhere
in the city and leases properties to approximately 70 businesses.
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PAISLEY-MANOR INSURANCE BROKERS celebrates its 50th anniversary!
TORONTO, ON – September 8, 2005
Paisley-Manor Insurance Brokers, Inc. (PMI), is celebrating its 50th anniversary
this year.
Based in Toronto, PMI offers a range of services including business (property/building),
institutional, personal, home and auto insurance, life and group benefits programs,
hard-to-place risks, specialized lines and fleets.
CEO Ira Kuchinsky said, “Our success as one of Canada's fastest growing,
independently-owned insurance brokerages comes from a half-century of accumulated
knowledge designing and developing comprehensive insurance programs and services
for entrepreneurial businesses.”
Founded by Irving Allan Paisley in 1955 from a shared office in North York,
Ontario, the company has grown to an international service provider employing
over 50 people.
PMI’s principals are involved in the daily management of all insurance
affairs, and are supported by a staff of insurance professionals with a wide
range of insurance industry experience.
President Michael Paisley said, “We expect to continue doing what has
made us successful and look forward to the next 50 years of serving our growing
clientele.”
PMI has a Realty Insurance Exposures division, to work with the ownership, construction
and development segments of that industry. The company also has national and
international expertise and cross-border facilities to service private and public
sector clients.



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| Jay Gould, Owner and
President NEW YORK FRIES, Toronto, Canada |
| • What
are New York Fries Crisp Cut Potato Chips? |
In true New York Fries form, these crisp-cut, Kettle-cooked chips are made from real, fresh premium potatoes and cooked in Non-Hydrogenated, Trans Fat Free and Cholesterol Free Sunflower oil. |
| • Where are the potatoes from? | The potatoes
grow in nutrient rich soil from glacial Ice Age in the fertile Fraser
Valley, British Columbia |
| • How are the chips seasoned? | With New York Fries’ own signature California Sweet BBQ spice |
| • Where are the chips made? | The chips
are made by an independent potato chip manufacturer located in rural B.C. |
| • Where are the chips sold? | The chips
will be launched exclusively at New York Fries locations from B.C. through
Québec. |
| • What is the size of the bag? | The chips are packaged in 150 gram bags |
| • Price: | $3.25 |
| • How many potatoes are used to make one bag of chips? | It takes 600
grams of raw potatoes, the equivalent of approximately five large, juicy
potatoes. |
| • Number of potatoes
sliced per hour |
20,000 lbs |
| • Number of bags packaged daily: | 10,000 |
| • Approximate Number of chips per bag | 55 chips |
| • Chip Bag Designers | Zig (Toronto, Canada) |

Israel
In The World, a new book by acclaimed journalists and writers Helen Davis and
Douglas Davis looks at the people behind the success. Without any natural resources,
Israel’s assets are its people, their creativity, their intellectual energy
and their collective determination to use the nation’s ‘brain-based’
industries to succeed in spite of persistent existential challenges. This book
allows the world to witness their previously felt but unseen success.

THE RITZ-CARLTON, TORONTO WILL BE A NEW 53-STOREY
LANDMARK ON DOWNTOWN SKYLINE WITH 135 LUXURY RESIDENCES $300 Million Project
Will Generate Jobs
TORONTO – April 12, 2005
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, MD. and Graywood Developments
Ltd. of Toronto today announced they will build a 53-storey luxury hotel and
condominium residence in downtown Toronto. The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto and The
Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto will be a $300 million development located
on the south side of Wellington Street, between Simcoe and John Streets.
The 700,000 sq. ft. facility features a five-star hotel with 267 rooms and 135
condominium residences in a stately, elegant point tower destined to become
a city landmark.
“This is the first Ritz-Carlton combined hotel and condominium residence
in Canada and will be the only Toronto hotel to offer The Ritz-Carlton level
of luxury and service,” said Michael Beckley, vice-president of development
for Marriott International Inc., the parent company of The Ritz-Carlton.
The project will generate approximately 1,500 construction jobs and more than
500 permanent, full-time jobs. Zoning for the development is in place. Construction
is scheduled to start in 2006 and be completed in 2009. A presentation centre
for the condominium residences will open this September.
Toronto Mayor David Miller said, “The arrival of Toronto’s first
five-star hotel is another sign of our city’s renaissance. Not only will
this hotel create hundreds of jobs, it will also help attract visitors from
around the world to Toronto.”
“There is simply no building of this caliber in the city. The building
will change the face of Toronto by its internationally inspired design,”
said Garnet Watchorn, President of Graywood Developments Ltd.
The project’s architecture is a collaboration between New
York-based, Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) Associates Architects and Planners and Toronto-based,
Page + Steele Architects and Planners. The building’s interior spaces
will be designed by HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates Design Consultants’ Atlanta
office and Babey Moulton Jue and Booth of San Francisco.
Combining classic and contemporary architectural elements throughout, the building
has three main components. The tower will rise out of a five-level podium. Storeys
six to 20 will contain luxuriously appointed rooms and facilities for hotel
guests. Condominium residences will be located on storeys 22 to 52, with a private
lobby and amenity centre for residents on the 21st and 22nd storeys.
At storey 26, the tower’s south wall begins to slope outward, forming
an arresting architectural feature designed to visually compliment the sweeping
curves of Roy Thomson Hall across the street.
The five-storey podium at the tower’s base features a largely glass exterior
designed to create a sense of interaction between the street and the lobby.
The podium will also hold two large ballrooms, fine-dining restaurants, conference
and meeting facilities to attract high-end conference and meeting business.
The grand ballroom will host leading social events and functions.
In addition, the top level of the podium will house a world class 23,000 sq.
ft. spa, which will be Toronto’s largest and most luxurious.
Most condominium residences will be one, two and three bedroom suites ranging
from 2,000 to over 3,000 sq. ft. There are also a few smaller one bedroom pied-a-terres
in the 1,300 to 1,700 sq. ft. range.
Suites will be priced from the $700,000s to over $8 million, the exception being
the top penthouse. Located on the 52nd floor, it will be a palatial 10,920 sq.
ft., for approximately $11 million.
“The opportunity for condominium owners to live above and share facilities
and services with a five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel is unprecedented in Toronto,”
said Pat Baker, CEO, Baker Real Estate Corp.
The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto marks
another step in the ongoing evolution of The Ritz-Carlton brand. Since 200l,
The Ritz-Carlton has successfully opened 23 hotel and resort properties. The
expansion program is part of the Company’s philosophy of gradually evolving
to accommodate the changing needs of a clientele seeking more contemporary design
standards and a less formal, more relaxed atmosphere of elegance.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md., (USA) currently
operates 58 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
It is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service.
For more information, call toll free, 1-800-241-3333, contact a travel professional,
or consult the web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.
Graywood Developments Ltd. was recently selected by the Royal Ontario Museum for the planned redevelopment of the McLaughlin Planetarium site. Graywood has completed major residential, commercial, office and hotel projects in both Canada and the United States. In the Greater Toronto Area, the Company’s condominium developments include Number One York Quay, Landmark of Thornhill and 370 King West.


![]() SMART CAR.... SMART PLACE TO LIVE TORONTO - February 7, 2005 Personal Trainer Debra Basch rolls a Mercedes Smart Car through the doorway of Plazacorp's Wellington On The Park sales office. Visitors to the site at 15 Stafford St. in the trendy King West neighborhood, can complete a ballot for Plazacorp's "Move Smart" sweepstakes, for a chance to to win the car. |
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NIAGARA REGION NATIVE/RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE
WINE MANAGER NAMED BEST ONTARIO SOMMELIER
TORONTO – November 18, 2004
An experienced, seven-year Ruth’s Chris Steak House sommelier and Niagara
Region native, April Kilpatrick, has won the Best Ontario Sommelier award from
the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS).
A certified member of the International Sommelier Guild, April Kilpatrick joined
Ruth’s Chris -Toronto in 1998 as sommelier/wine manager. In addition to
being awarded this prestigious title, she will have the opportunity to compete
with other professional sommeliers in the International Competition in 2005.
Competitors included over 50 certified Ontario Sommeliers and members of the
Toronto CAPS Chapter. This organization is a chapter of the Paris-based Association
de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), and is devoted to developing the sommelier
profession in Ontario.
To determine Final Competition qualifiers, semi-finals were held in August.
Competing Sommeliers were evaluated based on their performance on a written
questionnaire; the blind tasting of two wines for sight, smell, taste, aftertaste,
grape varietal, vintage, area of provenance plus a food and wine pairing. Four
candidates with the highest score were selected to compete as finalists for
the Best Ontario Sommelier Competition.
Five judges decided on the winner after the four sommeliers faced a demanding
series of tests including a formal wine and food pairing presentation and a
service sequence. They were also judged on their ability to blind test five
premiere wines.
The Best Ontario Sommelier Competition is open to all CAPS active in good standing.
Entrants had to currently work in a restaurant where they earned at least 50
per cent of their revenue. Members also had to have a minimum two to three years
experience working as a sommelier or graduate certified sommelier.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House is the only restaurant in the Greater Toronto
Area to employ two certified female sommeliers - April Kilpatrick and Jennifer
Huether. In Canada, Ruth’s Chris Steak House lists approximately 250 wines.
The Toronto restaurant received the 2004 DiRoNA Award of Excellence from Distinguished
Restaurants of North America and has received The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
each year since 1997.
ABOUT RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE
Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
was founded by Ruth Fertel in 1965. The largest upscale steak house in the world,
Ruth’s Chris specialises in aged, corn-fed USDA Prime beef, broiled at
high temperatures to sear in the natural juices, and served sizzling on a heated
plate to keep each steak hot and juicy to the last bite. Ruth’s Chris
Steak House can be found throughout North America, the Caribbean and the Far
East. Visit www.ruthschris.ca.
![]() As part of their mission to make music and related information accessible 24/7, the CMC’s website www.musiccentre.ca features a searchable database of the library and allows scores, parts and audio files to be transmitted electronically.New Music in New Places is supported by The SOCAN Foundation and the Government of Canada through the Canada Music Fund. All events are sponsored by Canada NewsWire Ltd., Bowdens Media Monitoring Limited and The Communications Group Inc. |
![]() CANADIAN MUSIC CENTRE LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE “NEW MUSIC IN NEW PLACES” CONCERT FESTIVAL TORONTO, September 14, 2004 The Canadian Music Centre (CMC) today announced a series of national performance events, called New Music in New Places, designed to bring Canadian contemporary music out of the concert halls and into the lives of Canadians. Beginning September 24 until March 2005, Canadians can experience 35 or more concert performances throughout Canada. Local composers and musicians will perform music amidst the community, wherever this may be, including locations in a New Brunswick Penitentiary, a northern Ontario mining town, in an office tower in downtown Montreal and in a hot air balloon over Winnipeg. “Most Canadians don’t realize that there are more than 600 professional Canadian composers creating original music that is performed and recorded worldwide,” said Elisabeth Bihl, the Centre’s Executive Director. “With five Music Centres across Canada, we house the country’s largest collection of Canadian contemporary music works, with over 16,000 original Canadian scores.” Long a unique resource for conductors, choreographers, performers, broadcasters and students, the CMC’s mission is to promote the music of its associate composers. But contemporary music has traditionally been the domain of a relatively select audience, and the CMC’s New Music in New Places festival aims to change that. Performances highlight contemporary composers from regions across the country bringing to beaches, malls, brewpubs, wineries, museums and airports, the sounds and music that are an integral part of the Canadian character. Ms. Bihl described this national initiative from the CMC’s headquarters in the historic Chalmers House, a Toronto heritage building that warehouses CD’s, prints, binds and digitizes original scores, and maintains a library with an extensive collection of published and unpublished scores and archival and commercial recordings. |

DAVID EISENSTADT APPOINTED CANADIAN COMMUNICATIONS
COUNSEL, TO FRIENDS OFSIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER
TORONTO – July 8, 2004
The Board of Directors of Canada’s Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center,
has announced the appointment of David Eisenstadt as Communications Counsel,
effective immediately.
A Partner at Toronto-based public relations firm, The Communications Group Inc.,
Eisenstadt will work with Friends' Canadian Director, Avi Benlolo and Director
of National Affairs, Leo Adler. His firm, now in its 31st year, continues
to provide pro bono service to the organization.
Eisenstadt is a graduate of Carleton University’s School of Journalism
and the University of Alberta at Calgary.
Commenting on the appointment, Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean, Simon Wiesenthal
Center in Los Angeles said, “In nearly 30 years of activism, I have never
met a public relations professional who so wonderfully combines brilliance,
unstinting personal integrity and powerful results. Canadian Friends, the Wiesenthal
Center and the Jewish community are lucky to have David on our side.”
Added Avi Benlolo, “David Eisenstadt has a wealth of communications experience,
and is pivotal in disseminating and informing the media about issues
of concern to the Center and the public.”
"David Eisenstadt’s contribution to Friends, over the last few years,
has been stellar. His dedication and devotion to the community, his award-winning
recognition by his peers and his unerring advice has made his appointment a
'natural'. We look forward to a long and beneficial association,"
said Leo Adler.
Eisenstadt is a Fellow of the Public Relations Society of America and the Canadian
Public Relations Society. He is the 2004 recipient of the CPRS Philip A. Novikoff
Memorial Award for “furthering the standing of the PR profession in Canada
over time, through professional and public relations practice, service to CPRS
and the community at large."
ABOUT THE SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTERFOR HOLOCAUST
STUDIES
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies is a Canadian human
rights organization dedicated to fostering tolerance and understanding through
community involvement, educational outreach and social action. With over 40,000
members of all faiths, it confronts important contemporary issues including
racism, antisemitism, terrorism and genocide. Friends is affiliated with the
world-wide, Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, an accredited Non-Government
Organization with status at international agencies, including the United Nations,
UNESCO, OSCE and the Council of Europe, with offices in New York, Miami, Paris,
Jerusalem, Buenos Aries and Toronto. Simon Wiesenthal himself still works
out of his Vienna office.

LEWIS PR’S FIRST GATEWAY ALLIANCE ESTABLISHED
WITH CANADA’S THE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP INC.
Results-Driven Agencies Provide Seamless
Service Model For North American Clients
Boston and Toronto – June 16, 2004
Global public relations agency, LEWIS, and leading Canadian
IT PR agency, The Communications Group Inc. (TCG), have formed
a reciprocal client servicing pact covering the North American market. Termed
the Gateway Alliance, the two high-tech public relations firms have created
a seamless service standard for clients. The main goal of the Gateway Alliance
is to provide rapid and assured PR access into Canada for LEWIS clients and
into the US for clients of The Communications Group. The agreement outlines
expected service standards for mutual clients, transparent billing and eliminates
the competitive elements common in internationally coordinated PR campaigns.
“The Gateway Alliance agrees to manage each other’s clients with
PR needs in each respective market with the same professional manner they have
come to expect from LEWIS offices in other parts of the world, or from TCG,”
said David Eisenstadt, Founding Partner of The Communications Group.
“LEWIS already has an extensive reach across the US, Europe and Asia,
but wanted to take its servicing to the next level in Canada,” said Steve
Capoccia, general manager and head of East Coast operations for LEWIS in Boston.
“The Communications Group provides in-depth Canadian market knowledge
and has an excellent reputation with the news media – which was key to
our selecting them as a partner,” said Capoccia.
About LEWIS
LEWIS is the fastest growing agency in the US. It has wholly-owned offices in
Boston, Eindhoven, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, San Diego, San Francisco,
Singapore, Stockholm, and Sydney offering local market knowledge and contacts
for clients across the United States, Europe and AsiaPac. The agency is independently
owned by the executive management team round the world and employs 130 staff.
For further information visit www.lewispr.com
About THE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP INC.
The Communications Group Inc. (TCG) is a Toronto-based, independentlyowned public
relations consulting firm successfully serving multi-national
and Canadian clients across Canada since 1973. Visit www.tcgpr.com

DAVID EISENSTADT NAMED CPRS NOVIKOFF AWARD
RECIPIENT FOR 2004
QUEBEC CITY, PQ, June 15, 2004
At the recent Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Annual Conference here,
David Eisenstadt, APR, Fellow PRSA, CPRS of The
Communications Group Inc. (TCG) received this year’s Philip A.
Novikoff Memorial Award.
“The Novikoff Award is presented to an accredited member of the Society
who has furthered the standing of the public relations profession in Canada
over time, through professional and public relations practice, service to CPRS
and the community at large,” said Karen Dalton, APR, Executive Director,
CPRS.
Eisenstadt founded The Communications Group Inc. in 1973, with corporate communications
experience from IBM Canada Ltd. and public relations consulting management responsibilities
with Goodis, Goldberg & Soren Advertising.
Based in Toronto, TCG continues to be one of Canada's leading independently-owned
public relations consulting firms serving Canadian and multinational clients.
Established in 1989 in memory of public relations professional Philip A. Novikoff,
the Award has been given to 10 recipients to date. Other recipients include
Louis J. Cahill, APR, Fellow CPRS (Toronto); Dean Miller, APR (Vancouver); David
W. Annesley, APR (Calgary); Steven Parker, APR, Fellow CPRS (Halifax); Ruth
F. Hammond, APR, Fellow CPRS (Toronto); Luc Beauregard, APR, Fellow CPRS (Montréal);
Jim Osborne, APR (Calgary); Jean Freeman, APR, Honourary Fellow CPRS (Regina);
Barbara Sheffield, APR, Fellow CPRS (Toronto).

YAK COMMUNCATIONS ROLLS THROUGH ATLANTIC
CANADA
As public relations counsel to YAK Communications,
Inc., of Toronto, Canada, a decision was made to launch its long distance
dial-around phone service in Atlantic Canada during Q4, 2003. Because
the service launch was real news, positioning the announcement before any paid
advertising was an absolutely essential tactic.
The offering for consumers and business (land line) phone users in
each of the four Atlantic provinces was that they'd be able to make long distance
calls anywhere in North America, 7-24, for only five cents a minute, with no
strings attached and without signing contracts, switching their phone
carrier, paying a surcharge, etc. The charge per call would appear on
their local carrier's bill on an itemized basis under the heading "Other
Carriers".
This service was available in all other Canadian provinces prior to this launch.
As a Toronto-based company, it was important to position the
launch very carefully, since YAK views itself as a"friendly competitor"
to the Telco companies with which it partners to provide this service
In this case, YAK's new offering would be provided to customers of Aliant
Telecom in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
At the same time, we were mindful that there is sometimes resentment of anything
imposed on these provinces which comes from Toronto, acknowledged as the business
capital of the country (and in fact, other parts of Canada as well), particularly
when the Company was not opening an office or hiring anyone locally.
The reality was that when the PR campaign was launched, YAK beat (and still
beats) any competitor on price; still, the issue was to get local
elephone company users to consider switching to YAK by using an easy-to-remember phone
prefix code....10-10-YAK (925) followed by 1, then the area code and number.
The YAK PR initiative happened over the course of one week; October 27
(Halifax, NS); 28 (Saint John, NB); 29 (Charlottetown, PEI); 30 (St. John's
Nf), 2003.
We prepared "locally targetted " Media Kits and releases; identified specific print
and broadcast journalists for YAK President/ & CEO Charles Zwebner. to meet.
We managed a "local" whirlwind tour with Mr. Zwebner as spokesperson
in each of the four cities and as a result, "next day" major
front page Business Section coverage appeared in each of the Halifax Chronicle-Herald
and Halifax Mail-Star; Halifax Daily News; Saint John Telegraph -Journal and
New Brunswick Telegraph -Journal; Charlottetown Guardian and St. John's Telegram,
plus extensive cross-province radio and TV coverage followed.
Over the next two weeks, a direct mail flyer was produced with the
10-10-YAK(925) number attached as a"sticky" pull-away reminder
for consumers to affix to their phones.
Business escalated from a standing start.
This publicly traded Canadian company (Nasdaq: YAKC) recently announced
its Second Quarter results as of December 31, 2003 with sales of
$20,240,000, an increase of 118 per cent over sales of $9,297,00 for the comparable
period ending December 31, 2002. Earnings per diluted share were $.12
(post 2:1 stock split effect 01/29/04) representing an increase of 100 per cent
over the comparable 12 month period ending December 31, 2002. For the
quarter ending December 31, 2003, YAK processed on its own network 235 million
minutes of traffic with 20 million calls serving over 800,00 monthly customers.

TCG Helps The Daniels Corporation Light-Up The Night Sky
Working with The Daniels Corporation, one of Canada’s
most prominent residential builders/developers, The Communications Group Inc.
planned a spectacular Lighting Ceremony, New York-style Reception and Media
Relations Program to officially open NY Towers, Toronto’s
luxury condominium community at Bayview Avenue and Highway 401.
The four condo towers are the first stage of a planned community that will grow
across 10 acres, ultimately creating a neighbourhood for over 4,000 people.
TCG managed all aspects of the Pre-Launch and Launch Event activities on November
25/02, including theme creation and menu selection, speech writing, preparation
of the Media Kit contents and extensive journalist outreach.
Street vendors offering pretzels, hot dogs, warm chestnuts and a jazz combo
were some of the highlights of this Gotham City-inspired, early evening bash,
which included the choreographed illumination of the condo Towers’ art-deco
rooflines and a spectacular fireworks extravaganza triggered by Mayor Mel Lastman
and other dignitaries.
The Opening of NY Towers was covered by a compliment of broadcast and print
News Media......Global Television, CITY TV and CFTO TV, The Globe and Mail,
National Post, Toronto Star and Toronto Sun and various real estate trades,
including Condo Guide and Condo Life magazines.

CREWS Uses TCG To Help Solve Construction Employment
Crisis
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has enjoyed record levels of construction-industry
growth, yet the industry faces a critical shortage of construction workers.
Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(CIC), the Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association (GTHBA)
in 2001 agreed to address worker shortages in the Ontario construction industry.
As a result, a pilot project called CREWS was established to
facilitate the entry of up to 500 temporary construction workers over two years.
Recognizing that domestic recruitment efforts failed to meet industry needs,
the CREWS Project allowed temporary entry of qualified foreign construction
workers (who met trade experience requirements) for two years to address the
shortage of bricklayers, framers, form workers, cement finishers and labourers.
CREWS management understood that the key to the program’s success was
to generate awareness and understanding with its target audiences and turned
to The Communications Group Inc. (TCG) for help during 2002.
TCG developed an aggressive News Media Relations program, supported by a Stakeholder
Awareness campaign. TCG worked with CREWS executives to prepare supporting materials
and create newsworthy messaging.
Relevant broadcast and print reporters were contacted and extensive coverage
was garnered in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, and building
and developer trades among others. TCG also engaged various editors and journalists
at Ontario’s ethnic publications and managed a number of interviews for
CREWS executives.
Awareness among key influencers- construction industry managers, builders, government
and Ontario’s ethnic communities- grew considerably during TCG’s
engagement, which helped CREWS reach its key benchmarks well ahead of schedule.


TCG Publicizes A Greenwin Community’s Revitalization
Once dubbed “Canada’s worst community” by Prime Minister Jean
Chrétien, the San Romanoway community at Toronto’s Jane/Finch intersection
has a history of high youth unemployment and youth-related crime; until the
buildings’ ownership and management committed to serious community renewal.
Led by Greenwin Property Management, ResREIT and the Glen Corporation
together with various corporate entities including Home Depot and all levels
of government, the San Romanoway Revitalization Association formed to provide
social and cultural enrichment programs and site improvements for the community’s
4,400 residents.
As a model of community support and corporate involvement, Greenwin's PR Consultants,
The Communications Group Inc. (TCG) promoted the Association throughout 2002.
An ongoing program aimed at GTA journalists plus community and ethnic media
was managed and executed by TCG during the first half of 2003.
The Communications Group secured and audited interviews with key spokespeople
on site, wrote pitch materials and submitted by-lined articles to various publications.
After successfully building awareness and understanding of the Association’s
mandate, Greenwin assigned TCG to manage Media Relations activities for its
Playground Build Day; May 30/03.
At the event, San Romanoway Revitalization Association hosted over 150 residents,
corporate volunteers and public officials who gathered to donate their time,
resources and materials to cooperatively build a children’s playground,
valued at $75,000.
Working with the Playground Build Committee and Greenwin’s Marketing team,
TCG prepared a Public Relations Strategy. The Firm helped craft invitations
to key public officials, prepared a Media Kit, wrote the project News Release
and collateral materials and managed a News Conference attended by the majority
of GTA-based print and broadcast reporters.

Condo Brands a Community, with TCG’s Help
During 2002 and in the Spring of 2003, Toronto condominium developers were on
a branding mission; each seeking to create brand awareness, brand identity and,
most important, brand equity.
While many were striving to mark their buildings, Montréal-based developer
Canderel Stoneridge retained The Communications Group Inc.
(TCG) to brand a community.
Working with their Marketing team, TCG leveraged Canderel Stoneridge’s
two newest developments on King Street West-- the historic Massey Harris Lofts
and the very contemporary DNA: Downtown’s Next Address-- to create an
image for an entire neighborhood.
With an extensive positioning campaign, TCG helped create ‘King West-
cool’. An ongoing program of aggressive outreach targeted at broadcast
and print reporters lead to a wealth of coverage. From the real estate pages
to design sections; from lifestyle programming to business news, a variety of
pitches and creative angles allowed both projects to become a lynchpin for the
King West story.
The TCG-managed campaign educated influential journalists about the resurgence
of the King West area, its demographics, attributes and style. TCG then married
those attributes to the area’s newest, high-profile condo development.
Real Estate Television on CFTO, Global TV and CITY’s Hot Properties were
among the broadcasters telling and re-telling the King West story. Articles
in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, National Post, Town Crier
Newspapers and various real estate trades featured DNA and the Massey Harris
Lofts in the King West Village context. Typical headlines......“King West
is the hottest urban location in the city” and “Downtown’s
hip new address”.
These PR efforts helped Canderel Stoneridge reach record sales levels and position
the Company to launch Phase II of DNA, one full year ahead of schedule.