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CANADA IN 15 SECONDS: Big Experiences: Tiny Commercials

Posted on: Friday, 8 May 2009, 13:52 CDT

Featured in International Broadcast and On-line Campaign

VANCOUVER, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- It's kind of hard to sum up one of the world's largest and most physically, geographically and culturally diverse countries in a few words -- even if we had unlimited advertising dollars and time in the world (which we don't). So in today's world of "live well, spend less" and "if you can't tweet it, it's too much information", we distilled the essence of the amazing Canadian vacation experience into 15 seconds -- a bit shorter than your average elevator ride.

But get this -- it gets better. We didn't even shoot our own commercials! We went on YouTube and discovered real people having real experiences in Canada with real and raw emotion and really loving it! That's right. Real people, real experiences, real emotion!

We couldn't make this stuff up -- or script it any better -- so why try? Besides, when people see the new 15-second spots, they may believe them because they are not oh-so-slick.

So we contacted the people who put up their video on YouTube and received permission to use their stuff. They get 15 seconds of fame as we plan to air these authentic Canadian experiences via TV and the Internet with our first-ever international broadcast campaign and we get, well, you know, real people, real experiences, real Canada....

We've got adventurers "zip lining" above raging creeks in Whistler, B.C.; nature lovers being awestruck as they watch a collapsing iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland; visitors getting soaked with delight at Niagara Falls (FYI -- the famous Horseshoe Falls is actually on the Canadian side of the border). But why talk about it? Take a look for yourselves www.canada.travel.

Maybe that's why the influential and highly respected Lonely Planet recently named Canada one of the Top 10 Countries for 2009 describing it as a place of "life-changing experiences, festivals and events, and cosmopolitan, cultured and foodie-filled cities." Come on, there is great video written all over that description. We just need to find it.

So if you know someone who loves to film anything and everything and sends it to anyone and everyone (that would be YouTube) -- send those great Canadian moments caught on digital to us as well at http://www.youtube.com/group/Canada15Seconds! Who knows, you or someone you know could be the proud contributor of an international commercial.

About the CTC

The CTC is Canada's national tourism marketing organization. Our vision is inspiring the world to explore Canada. With our partners in the tourism industry and the governments of Canada, the provinces and the territories, we advertise and market Canada in nine countries around the world, conduct industry research and studies, and promote product and industry development. For research and statistics, news and media resources, travel information and events, please visit www.canada.travel/media.

Media Contact: Rene Mack, Weber Shandwick (212) 445-8123 rmack@webershandwick.com

SOURCE CTC

Source: PR Newswire

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