Toronto, ON - May 9, 2007 - The premiere of the first online community devoted to understanding how women feel about and approach the aging process — was a huge success! Over 25,000 women visited defineyourself.ca during its first week to watch "webisodes", participate in polls, read blogs and join the community. "This is a tremendous success story that demonstrates the power of telling real stories and building a sense of community around those experiences," said Catharine Fennell, SWINGThink partner, SWINGThink creative director and visionary behind the project. "Women love to relate to other women and to know they are not alone in the way they think and feel, and it's clear they have a lot to say about aging!"

The community revolves around the stories of six women who are confronting the realities of aging and who are exploring their options — all documented in a series of six consecutive webisodes (like a television episode). Women who have joined the community have told us...

"Turning 50 has made me evaluate what I have done so far and what I am looking forward to!" Terri Lessard-Seguin

"I will continue to highlight my hair & the facials are religious every 8 weeks, but my view on "older" is "WISER". I am who I am." Nancy Regan

"I am really interested in following the other webisodes. This is a very interesting concept." Margo

"Educational, non-commercial, and is empowering women to get involved. Getting boomer women to talk with each other is collaborative marketing at its best." Lina Ko – Boomerwatch.ca

The community was designed with the following elements:

NARRATIVE: Six real women were chosen to tell their stories over the course of six "webisodes". Video on the site introduces the women, and weekly updates give the audience the latest on their individual journeys; as well as how their spouses, families and friends — and they themselves — are reacting to the process.

ENGAGEMENT: Visitors can come to the site, sign up to receive notification of future webisodes, provide input into how the community will evolve, and share their opinions via blog, email and video submissions.

EMPOWERMENT: This community is driven by the women who are participating in it. An advisory committee was formed immediately after the site launch to ensure that the women who are following the stories also have a say in how the community evolves, the type of content and experience they are looking for on the site, and its future direction.

An online community is a membered group aligned by particular interests who communicate and interact via the Internet. A community elevates the involvement of the participant beyond the "consumer" level by inviting participatory engagement.

"Medicis is dedicated to really understanding the attitudes underlying women's thinking as they contemplate the aging process," says Alan Chan, Director of Marketing, Medicis Aesthetic Holdings Canada. "We are committed to investing in this conversation between women and believe that an online community is one of the best ways to do that."

Margaret, one of the "real" women whose journey of exploration is followed in the webisodes, had this to say on participating in the project, "I thought it was a great opportunity, selfishly for myself but hopefully (and sincerely) to make an impact on other people, other women especially I would love to make an impact on — even just one person, to know it's ok to ask yourself these questions about aging and the way you look and how it makes you feel."

About SWINGThink
SWINGThink is a Toronto-based marketing boutique that works with businesses to help them understand, reach and build communities of women. SWING eliminates the guesswork by bringing women into the research and marketing process early. Visit www.swingthink.com for more information.

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For more information, please contact:
Karla Goldstein at SWINGThink
Tel: 416-203-3656 ext. 224
E-mail: karla@swingthink.com

Jen Evans to present keynote address at HICK Tech, April 30-May 1

Sequentia Ranks 24th in the 7th annual PROFIT HOT 50 Ranking!

1. TWIT/This Week in Technology (CANADA)
2. Ricky Gervais Show (UK)
3. Quirks and Quarks (CANADA)
4. LOST (USA)
5. CommandN (CANADA)

It was a great party! Thanks to those who were here in body, and those who were here in spirit.
Check out the photos here. 

pdf version | Financial Post website

View our B2B and B2C newsletter portfolio  

Take a look at some of our web campaigns, landing pages and community microsites

Toronto, ON – February 21, 2005 – Sequentia Communications is pleased to announce that Jacqui Allard, a senior vice president of technology at State Street, one of the world’s top financial services providers, will chair its advisory board.  

“I am excited about the prospect of working with this successful and fast growing organization. Jennifer and her talented team have put Sequentia on the map as a fast-paced entrepreneurial business with a great depth of subject matter expertise,” said Ms. Allard.  I hope to bring some new perspectives to the Advisory Board, and believe that together we can help propel Sequentia to the next level organizationally.” 

“I’ve known Jacqui for over 20 years and her energy and drive are legendary,” said Jennifer Evans, president, Sequentia Communications.  “She has deep roots in technology and a huge understanding of the industry.  We look forward to the focus and effect her skills will have on our board.” 

Also new at Sequentia is the promotion of Nazilla (Nizzi) Karai Renaud to vice president, online marketing.  Nizzi will oversee all online marketing strategy and implementation for Sequentia’s clients, including website strategy, online advertising including pay per performance campaigns, and new technologies including blogging, podcasting, and other cutting-edge internet technologies. 

“The Internet and other new technologies are now being taken very seriously as effective marketing channels, because they have proven themselves as measurable and effective,” says Nizzi.  “We’re only just beginning to see the impact of online marketing.  The potential of these technologies and practices is phenomenal, and I am so happy to be working with Sequentia, a firm that not only embraces online marketing, but expands upon it and incorporates it in to broader marketing strategies." 

Nicole Meitsch, recent graduate of Seneca College’s Corporate Communications program, and fresh from a publicity and promotions internship with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ Toronto office, has just joined as public relations coordinator. 

New clients to the Sequentia fold this month include: 

• The Toronto Venture Group (www.tvg.org), a networking, event and deal flow organization bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and capital sources.



• CampusKiss (www.campuskiss.com), an online dating community for Canada's university and college students; and,



• Strategic Connections (www.strat-con.com), a Canadian-based software development organization that provides unique, integrated CRM, e-marketing and customer retention solutions to automotive OEMs, dealers and dealer groups. 

About Sequentia
Sequentia Communications (www.sequentia.net) is a full-service marketing and public relations firm that specializes in helping companies acquire and retain customers through community building. Sequentia is an urban marketing boutique that understands the effective use of technology in marketing. The company is based in Toronto and its clients include a cross-section of small to medium sized businesses, public sector organizations, agencies and technology firms.

For more information, please call:

Sacha DeGroot
Sequentia Communications
416-203-3656
sacha@sequentia.net

SEQUENTIA SWINGS TO WOMEN (Globe and Mail Update)

Sequentia Communications and Market Yourself Smarter, both of Toronto, have announced the launch of SWING, a non-traditional marketing communications agency that develops word-of-mouth marketing strategies and campaigns for clients who are committed to connecting with women consumers.

Swing is designed to help clients cultivate loyalty and win new female customers through strong word-of-mouth buzz and innovative marketing programming.

Among its features are ambassador programs (cultivating communities of influential female ambassadors); brand alignment and positioning for maximum female appeal; female-focused market research and strategy, and word-of-mouth marketing programs that utilize the power of technology to connect like-minded consumers.

Sequentia and Market Yourself Smarter Announce the Arrival of SWING

• Ambassador Programs: cultivating communities of influential female ambassadors
• Brand alignment and positioning for maximum female appeal
• Female-focused market research and strategy
• Word-of-mouth marketing programs that utilize the power of technology to connect like-minded consumers.
• SWING ThinkTank, a network of women across Canada providing insights on what women really want and need

Jen Evans and Denise Shortt profiled in CHUM DiversityOnline project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Don't Miss Your Chance To Kiss & Tell!

Toronto, ON - February 7, 2006 - We're getting close to unveiling what is going on in the bedrooms & dorm rooms of Canadian university and college students with the "Canadian CampusKiss & Tell Sex Survey". The first annual survey from CampusKiss.com, Canada's largest online dating community for university and college students, has reached its half-way mark. Survey results will be announced on Valentine's Day.

Running only until February 10, Campus Kiss wants university and college students across Canada to visit www.campuskiss.com, to complete a short, engaging survey which asks questions like: "Which university has the best pick-up place?" "Which campus is the most monogamous?" and "Is your campus the kinkiest in Canada?"

Students who participate in this survey will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of three prizes:

• A weekend trip for two to New York City
• Flat screen LCD 30" TV
• A year's membership to Zip.ca

To increase chances of winning, students can forward the survey on to friends, receiving extra entry points for every friend it is sent to - double entry points if those friends are at a different campus.

This is CampusKiss' first-ever, Canada-wide, cross-campus attempt to gauge students' opinions on this issue. The survey, which is completely anonymous and confidential, aims to provide an entertaining look into student life and practices from campus to campus.

– 30 –

About CampusKiss:

CampusKiss.com is an online dating community for Canada's University and College students to interact and meet like-minded peers for friendship, laughs and romantic interludes. Founded in 2000, CampusKiss.com now has over 73,000 registered users and has quickly grown to be Canada's favourite student dating medium providing students with a chance to interact through personals, blogs, clubs, webcams and events. CampusKiss.com regularly posts 20 monthly events across Canada and site traffic reaches over 15 million page views a month. For more information on CampusKiss.com, please visit www.campuskiss.com.

Media Contact:

Maggie Fairs
Sequentia Communications
416-203-3656
maggie@sequentia.net

For Immediate Release

CanadaHelps Valentine's Challenge:
Go Community, Not Commercial!

Toronto, Ontario - February 7, 2006 - Instead of fattening chocolates and space-wasting teddy bears for Valentine's Day, this year give something that will feed you and your beloved in a different way. CanadaHelps.org, Canada's only donation portal for all of the country's 80,000 registered charities, announced today its Valentine-themed gift card program, enabling community-minded lovers to give not only to the object of their affection, but the charity of their choice at the same time.

"We're issuing a challenge to those celebrating Valentine's across the country to buck the commercial Valentine's trend and invest in supporting worthwhile causes like health care, community groups or food banks," says Jason Côté, Executive Director, CanadaHelps. "CanadaHelps' Valentine gift cards are a great way to demonstrate your affection and support one of Canada's many deserving charities. In 2004 Canadians spent more than $150M on chocolates, jewelry and other gifts for Valentine's Day. This year, we're asking Canadians to put their money where their heart is and give to their charity of choice."

Convenient, fast and flexible, here's how it works:

1. Visit www.canadahelps.org.
2. Select the gift card option from the home page and choose a card amount.
3. Personalize the online gift card with your Valentine's name and a special message.
4. The gift card is sent to the recipient by email and can be printed for inclusion in Valentine's cards or other gifts!
5. When the gift card is received, the recipient can then choose the charity they want to donate to.

Launched in 2000, CanadaHelps was one of the first charities to recognize the benefits of online giving for both donors and charities. For donors, it makes the experience of online charitable donating easy and convenient. Donors go online, select as many charities as they wish, make their donation and receive an immediate online tax receipt. For charities, of all sizes and types, it offers the best e-donation technology at a low cost, with no set-up fees, no annual charges and charities are only charged when a donation is made.

By giving a CanadaHelps gift card, your 'special Valentine' can be any of Canada's 80,000 registered charities: Hospital for Sick Children, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Daily Bread Food Bank are all examples of worthy charities deserving of a little love this time of year.

CanadaHelps is hoping to raise $50,000 for charities across Canada this Valentine's. Now, won't that feel much better than gaining an extra five pounds?

To choose your CanadaHelps Valentine's gift cards, visit the web site at http://www.CanadaHelps.org/GiftCards/charity_gift_card.aspx.

Keeping checking on www.canadahelps.org to see how close we are to achieving our goal.

– 30 –

About CanadaHelps:

CanadaHelps, a public charitable foundation (89656 8417 RR0001), is Canada's only donation portal that provides access to all of Canada's 80,000 registered charities. Recognizing the benefits of online giving to both donors and charities, CanadaHelps launched its first website in 2000. Today, more than five years later, CanadaHelps facilitates over $10 million in donations to Canadian charities annually. For more information, visit www.canadahelps.org.

For more information or arrange a media interview, please contact:
Maggie Fairs
Sequentia Communications
416-203-3656
maggie@sequentia.net

ROB-TV
Financial Fridays - Tech Edition

Elliot Noss, president & CEO, Tucows Inc.

Jennifer Evans, president, Sequentia Communications

CampusKiss.com launches first ever online University & College Sex Survey - Win a trip to New York, a 30" flat screen LCD TV or a one year membership to zip.ca. Read more...

Do Canadian University and College Students Kiss and Tell?

CampusKiss.com Launches First Ever Online Sex Survey

Toronto, ON - Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - Which Canadian campus can claim to be the most monogamous? The kinkiest? The most adventuresome? Where is the best campus pick-up place? Today, CampusKiss.com, Canada's largest online dating community for university and college students, is launching its first annual "Canadian CampusKiss & Tell Sex Survey" to find out the answers to these and many more questions. Survey results will be announced on Valentine's Day.

"Campus life is not what it was in your grandpa's day," said Noah Gurza, one of the founders of CampusKiss.com. "We wanted to play a bit with that concept by giving university and college students across Canada the opportunity to rate themselves against their peers, and make some interesting comparisons. The results won't be what you'll find in the Maclean's rankings."

Starting today and running until February 10, university and college students across the country are invited to visit www.campuskiss.com to complete a short, fun survey which reveals their views on monogamy, safe sex, and the best places to pick up on campus. Students who participate in this survey will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of three prizes:

• A weekend trip for two to New York City
• Flat screen LCD 30" TV
• A year's membership to Zip.ca

To increase chances of winning, students can forward the survey on to friends, receiving extra entry points for every friend it is sent to - double entry points if those friends are at a different campus.

This is CampusKiss' first-ever, Canada-wide, cross-campus attempt to gauge students' opinions on this issue. The survey, which is completely anonymous and confidential, aims to provide an entertaining look into student life and practices from campus to campus.

– 30 –

About CampusKiss:

CampusKiss.com is an online dating community for Canada's University and College students to interact and meet like-minded peers for friendship, laughs and romantic interludes. Founded in 2000, CampusKiss.com now has over 73,000 registered users and has quickly grown to be Canada's favourite student dating medium providing students with a chance to interact through personals, blogs, clubs, webcams and events. CampusKiss.com regularly posts 20 monthly events across Canada and site traffic reaches over 15 million page views a month. For more information on CampusKiss.com, please visit www.campuskiss.com.

Media Contact:

Maggie Fairs
Sequentia Communications
416-203-3656
maggie@sequentia.net

The National Conference on Women in Engineering, is being held at Queen's University,  Kingston,ON, November 18-19, 2005.

The Marketing to Women conference is being held at the Marriott Château Champlain, Montreal, ON, November 9, 2005.

 Sequentia launches six author websites for HarperCollins

Sequentia Communications continues to grow and is pleased to welcome four new employees to the roster.   

Nizzi Karai Renaud, Sequentia’s new Director of Client Strategy, E-marketing, brings ten years of online marketing experience at organizations from Kalixo, Rugman.com, Delvinia Inc and a Boston-based internet consultancy.  

Maggie Fairs has joined the company as Public Relations Account Director and has over ten years’ public and media relations experience in Canada, Europe and the United States.  Maggie’s work experience includes Disney, the Media Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society. While in the UK, Maggie managed all press and event liaisons for HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne in her role as patron of the charity Crime Concern.  

Ryan Heney, a recent graduate of Seneca College’s Corporate Communications program, is the company’s new PR Coordinator.  He also holds an Honours Degree in Film and English from The University of Western Ontario.    

James Houston has also joined Sequentia as copywriter from the City of Toronto. James was previously at MediaProfile.  

Sequentia also wishes to extend our best wishes to Chris Strome, who is leaving us after an all too short tenure at Sequentia and moving to Vancouver for love, where he will be working for G3. Good luck Chris - we'll miss you!

Please join us on June 18, 2005 at retirement residences and long-term care homes across Ontario for Open Doors! Come see what today’s residences are really like and meet the committed individuals in your neighbourhood who make it their mission to provide the very best of care. 

Click here for a list of participating residences.

14 June 2005, Toronto, ON. Sequentia Communications announced today that it has been selected by Kaboose Inc to manage media relations for Kaboose’s Canadian site launch.

“Kaboose is an incredible Canadian online success story, and one that deserves to be celebrated and recognized,” said Jennifer Evans, President, Sequentia Communications. “We are thrilled to be helping them tell their story in their home market.”

Kaboose, a top-ten global internet destination for kids and families, selected Sequentia based on the agency’s expertise with women and technology communities.

Kaboose is headquartered in Toronto and is currently visited by more than 6.5 million unique visitors per month. The family destination site is also represented by HWH PR in the United States.

ABOUT KABOOSE INC.

Founded by two Canadian fathers, Kaboose.com is the world’s largest independent site by number of visitors for kids and families, offering the world’s largest selection of educational games, family activities and parent discussions. The Kaboose Network is comprised of three award-winning online destinations including Funschool.com, Zeeks.com and Kidsdomain.com. The network is a top 10 global internet destination for more than 6 million kids and parents a month looking for entertaining, interactive and educational content.

ABOUT SEQUENTIA:  

Sequentia Communications is a boutique marketing and communications agency focusing on building communities of customers and end users for its clients through strategic acquisition and retention initiatives. Sequentia's communities of expertise are technology and women, and clients include HarperCollins Canada, Intel of Canada, New Jersey-based FACT Foods, ThinData, and The Care Guide. The company is based in Toronto. www.sequentia.net

Bluesnarfing and bluejacking: Watch Jen Evans' latest ROB-TV Tech Tuesday panel appearance