Thanks for stopping by Media Central, GlobeLink's unique resource for Canadian media, marketing and advertising professionals. Here, you'll find tons of helpful information that can help make your job just a little bit easier.

Media Central is your source for media and advertising news, inspiring media and creative executions, and practical advice from industry experts.

New features are being added all the time, so check back often to see what's new, and find out how the hub can help you raise your profile in the workplace, impress your clients and improve your career prospects.

Our aim isn't just to help you succeed--we also hope to inject a little fun into your workday. Media Central is a place where you can network with peers and potential mentors, comment on our blogs, have a chance to win some very cool prizes or just let off steam.

Tell us what you think of this area and, more importantly, what you'd like to see here. We'll do our best to make Media Central as essential to your daily routine as a double-shot latte!


Brand Yourself Contest


The Brand Yourself contest is now closed.

We're delighted with the calibre of logos and tag lines we received, and with the thoughtful commentary those efforts inspired.

After much deliberation, we have selected our winners. It wasn't easy and it wasn't pretty: We simply had too many superb entries to choose from!

To view all the entries and comments, visit our Brand Yourself contest gallery.


Canada in Cannes

When the going gets tough, the tough get going...to Cannes.

With budgets tighter than we've seen in many years, it's more important than ever to make every ad dollar work...hard.

That's why next year's Cannes Lions will be one of the most anticipated ever. Savvy marketers, strategic creatives and shrewd advertisers will all be looking for that edge--that extra something that's generated when the world's sharpest ad minds converge.

Not sure if you should go this year? Read GlobeLink's 2008 Today in Cannes blog for an idea of what goes on during this prestigious event.

For a uniquely Canadian look at Cannes Lions, browse our 2008 On the Ground in Cannes blog, with entries from some of the biggest names in Canadian advertising.

And, as proof that attending the festival isn't all work, check out our Life in Cannes photo gallery.

Whether you're planning to attend in 2009 or not, you won't want to miss your chance to view the winning Film Lions entries. Order your copy today.


2008 Young Lions

In hosting Canada's Young Lions competition, The Globe challenges tomorrow's leaders and offers excellent exposure to the industry. Designed to simulate the conditions at Cannes, The Globe and Mail's Young Lions competition gives winning teams the preparation they’ll need to compete internationally in the official Young Lions competition at Cannes.

More important, the Globe Young Lions competition is the only way to qualify and compete in the Cannes Young Lions competition--and it's completely free to enter!

The dates for the 2009 Globe Young Lions competition are now set and the fun starts early in January when registration opens. Visit our Young Lions page for all key dates and entry requirements.

Check out the 2008 Globe Young Lions winners who rose above the pack with their compelling media strategies and creative executions.





Media Space is the heart of Media Central--the place for news, views and industry information that can help you get ahead.

Please note that you don't need to register to view Media Space content, but you must be registered and logged in if you want to comment on any of the entries here.

The Sandbox

What's Happening in Advertising



When Google buys DoubleClick, when Mini spends a fortune on a viral microsite, when BBDO promotes a new way to connect with consumers, you'll hear about it in the Sandbox.

More importantly, the Sandbox aims to spark conversations about these kinds of events. We want to hear what you think--about the ad industry, the media profession, creative strategies and more.

The Sandbox will be topical, compelling, humorous and sometimes controversial, but, we hope, always relevant to your career and interests. Of course, only you determine what's relevant and what's not--so be sure to let us know what you'd like us to cover, either by e-mail or in a Sandbox comment.

Everyone's a Guru

Learn the Secrets of the Best of the Best



Ever wonder how an entrepreneur started his or her own agency? How some companies have client relationships that last 10 years or more? Have you ever read about an agency winning a killer account and wondered, how'd they do that?

Everyone's a Guru will bring you up close and personal with some of the most influential people in the industry. In this section, we'll interview agency bigwigs and undiscovered up-and-comers to uncover tips, insights and advice about how to succeed in our highly competitive industry.

As with all Media Central areas, Everyone's a Guru is only as good as your suggestions. Know someone you'd like us to interview (or someone you'd like to interview yourself?) Let us know by completing the Everyone's a Guru form.

Beyond the Numbers

50% of 25% of Respondents Like Hamburgers



The advertising industry is full of studies that claim to tell you everything you need to know about target audiences: their likes and dislikes, education levels and household incomes, hobbies and job titles. But how do you translate raw data into practical strategies you can use?

This regular column answers this question and more. Beyond the Numbers will show you how research, when properly applied, can give your media plans a real competitive edge, and even inform your creative. After all, understanding consumer behaviour is the heart successful marketing--Beyond the Numbers can help with this crucial first step.

The Career Activist®

How Do I Get My Boss' Job?

How do I fire a friend? Will I ever get to take a vacation again? My co-worker hasn't mastered the basics of personal hygiene. What do I do?

No matter where you are in your journey--whether you're young or old, green or jaded, depressed or happy as a clam--everyone can use career advice from time.

In the Career Activist®, noted employment expert Mark Swartz offers practical tactics that can help you advance your career and cope with the types of challenges that can arise in any office, any day of the week.

The Interactive Strategist

Join the Online Rat Race

While there's no question that online is changing the very nature of marketing at an unprecedented pace, online marketing itself is changing at lightning speed.

Yesterday, we cared about search engine rankings and reciprical links. Today, we have to add Web 2.0 issues like viral marketing and social networking to those concerns. Who knows what we'll worry about tomorrow?

Tessa Wegert keeps you ahead of the game in the Interactive Strategist, a regular column that helps you keep pace with the moving target that is online marketing.



Globe Dispatch



Globe Dispatch is our regular newsletter that covers developments in Canadian marketing, news about The Globe, management advice, upcoming industry events and more.

If you haven't already done so, check out our recent issues. You don't need to register to read it, although doing so means you can have Globe Dispatch e-mailed directly to your inbox, and that you'll be able to instantly see any GlobeLink or Media Central content linked to by the newsletter.

To ensure you get the most out Globe Dispatch, register for GlobeLink and specify that you'd like to receive the newsletter by e-mail or, of you're already registered, modify your profile to specify that you want to receive it by e-mail.