Digital storescapes reveal what’s happening in Canada

Travellers’ “real time” experiences and conversations brought to the streets of New York, Chicago and LA
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) recently unveiled digital storescapes that harness the power of Twitter to display what’s currently being talked about and photographed in Canada to inspire Americans to book a Canadian vacation. The aggregated content brings online conversations, images and videos to the streets of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles this summer.

“It’s amazing the multitude of photos and conversations taking place online about Canadian vacation destinations,” says Siobhan Chretien, executive director Americas marketing, Canadian Tourism Commission. “We wanted to create an innovative way to use this ongoing stream of content to generate awareness of the breadth and depth of experiences available in Canada in these key U.S. markets.”

Developed by the CTC’s agency of record DDB Canada the digital storescapes build on the success of the CTC’s comprehensive social media strategy and use of user-generated content in their traditional advertising.

“With the proliferation of social media, people like to share what’s happening in their lives immediately,” says Cosmo Campbell, creative director, DDB Canada, Vancouver. “What better way to showcase all the amazing experiences that are happening in Canada right now, than through an interactive billboard that aggregates those memorable moments captured by travellers in real time. The unexpected nature of the experiences that are being uploaded will surprise passersby and change their perception of Canada.”

The storesscapes include 8’ x 10’ monitors featuring a continuous stream of “tweeted” photos and conversations based on specific search terms of Canadian cities, events and more. Both travellers in Canada and Americans at home are encouraged to tweet and take part in these live billboards and join the “now” conversation about Canada.

Americans can also win a trip to a Canadian destination of their choice by following @keep_exploring on Twitter and @ reply with their favorite Canadian destination. Street teams, equipped with iPads, are on site to encourage passersby to interact with the board and help them participate in the contest, should they not have a Twitter account.

“Not only is the contest simple and attractive, but it also captures important, real-time data of where Americans want to vacation in Canada,” adds Chretien.

The storescapes will be available at the following locations until the end of July 2010.
· 750 7th Avenue, New York (at West 49th)
· 366 8th Avenue, New York (at West 28th)
· 150 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago (between Randolf St and E Lake St)
· The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles

The storescapes are part of a broader campaign, which targets Americans to travel to Canada this summer. Supporting campaign elements include TV and online broadcast spots, online advertising, social media and print.src="adland.tv/anadian-tourism-commission-ctc-twitter-based-murals&viral.onpause=true&viral.oncomplete=true&viral.functions=embed,link" />
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) - Twitter-Based Murals

Developed by the CTC’s agency of record DDB Canada the digital storescapes build on the success of the CTC’s comprehensive social media strategy and use of user-generated content in their traditional advertising.

“With the proliferation of social media, people like to share what’s happening in their lives immediately,” says Cosmo Campbell, creative director, DDB Canada, Vancouver. “What better way to showcase all the amazing experiences that are happening in Canada right now, than through an interactive billboard that aggregates those memorable moments captured by travellers in real time. The unexpected nature of the experiences that are being uploaded will surprise passersby and change their perception of Canada.”

The storesscapes include 8’ x 10’ monitors featuring a continuous stream of “tweeted” photos and conversations based on specific search terms of Canadian cities, events and more. Both travellers in Canada and Americans at home are encouraged to tweet and take part in these live billboards and join the “now” conversation about Canada.

Americans can also win a trip to a Canadian destination of their choice by following @keep_exploring on Twitter and @ reply with their favorite Canadian destination. Street teams, equipped with iPads, are on site to encourage passersby to interact with the board and help them participate in the contest, should they not have a Twitter account.

“Not only is the contest simple and attractive, but it also captures important, real-time data of where Americans want to vacation in Canada,” adds Chretien.

The storescapes will be available at the following locations until the end of July 2010.
· 750 7th Avenue, New York (at West 49th)
· 366 8th Avenue, New York (at West 28th)
· 150 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago (between Randolf St and E Lake St)
· The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles

The storescapes are part of a broader campaign, which targets Americans to travel to Canada this summer. Supporting campaign elements include TV and online broadcast spots, online advertising, social media and print.