MORE INNOVATION FOR YEAR TWO OF PROVINCE’S MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Competitive business costs and quality of life are two key messages innovative business leaders will continue to deliver to Canadians in year two of Saskatchewan’s Innovative by Nature campaign.

“Saskatchewan’s economy is hot,” Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said.  “Our companies and research facilities are producing world-class innovation which helps makes Saskatchewan an attractive place to do business.  We’ve had a lot of success with this out-of-province campaign and will continue building on the momentum.”

The $2 million campaign developed by Industry and Resources will still feature Saskatchewan business people and scientists but will promote a wider range of world-class innovation to a broader business audience.  While the participating companies range from information technology to tourism and cultural industries, they are all innovators within their fields.  For example, Ground Effects Environmental Services Inc. has developed more than 70 new technologies to clean contaminated soil and groundwater without excavation.

“The number one advantage of doing business in Saskatchewan is the people with their great ideas, good work ethic and ‘get-it-done’ approach,” Ground Effects Environmental Services Inc. president and CEO Sean Frisky said.

The marketing strategy for year two of Innovative by Nature includes the following:

In Canada

• Print ads featuring different innovative businesses will run in four major Canadian papers for nine weeks this spring starting April 25.  The ads will run again in the fall.
• Two 30-second television commercials will run on national business and news programming for six weeks beginning April 23.
• Advertisements will run on major media websites from the end of April to the end of September.
• On May 22 a special supplement in the Globe and Mail will focus on Saskatchewan innovation.  

In the United States

• Business meetings and events will be planned in major American markets.
• Industry and Resources will work with local stakeholders to pitch Saskatchewan business and research stories to American business and trade media.
  

Companies being featured in the advertising component include: SED Systems, Ground Effects Environmental Services Inc., Loose Foot Computing Ltd., Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership, Petroleum Technology Research Centre, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, Shore Gold Inc., Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and Vérité Films.

Innovative by Nature was launched in October 2006 to help raise awareness of world-leading innovation coming out of Saskatchewan.  In fiscal 2006-07, the campaign included events in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver that attracted 750 business people.  In addition, a television commercial ran on national business and news programs.

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For more information, contact:

Jennifer Redston
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: jredston@ir.gov.sk.ca