Author: NKPR

NKPR Fantasy Shopping Sprees

Posted on by NKPR

This week, Beyonce ignited a bit of controversy (and NKPR discussion) with her $14,000 London shopping spree.

We all had to know: “If you had $14,000 and 90 minutes, where would you shop and what would you buy?” Since Beyonce went international, it gave us free reign to fantasize about our ultimate shopping destination.

Ignoring the 90-minute time limit altogether, Cat said she’d fly to Spain to eat at the famous El Bulli restaurant.

Heather also had the travel bug, and said she’d scoot off to Les Puces market in Paris to discover new treasures.

It’s no surprise New York was also a preferred shopping spree destination.

Laycee said she’d hit up Saks for shoes and summer dresses, and the Sephora flagship to buy a few dozen cosmetic bags worth of Stila makeup.

Since Lauren is jet-setting to NYC this weekend, she’s planning to buy out the shoe department at Bergdorf Goodman with her imaginary $14,000. “Starting with these Front-Zip Riding Boots by Givenchy. I work in long lead times, so I’m already thinking about Fall!”

Ever the multi-tasker, Rebecca would divide her time up at Barney’s:

“Thirty minutes in shoes (stocking up on Prada Fall/Winter 2012 Velvet and Leopard Print delights, Rag & Bone Tough Girl Boots and electric McQueen pumps), 45 minutes in clothing (Alexander Wang, 3.1 Philip Lim, basics from The Row and maybe a Leger or two) and 15 minutes in purses (A Chanel 2.55 bag? If you insist…)”

A brand new bag was also at the top of Kaley’s list:

“Even with the $14,000, I’m gonna need a $500 advance on my next pay cheque to cover the cost of a Proenza Schouler PS1 in Midnight Croc. LOVE.”

And Elli’s too: “Paris. Hermes. A Birkin.”

Reflecting her Company’s commitment to give back, Natasha would turn that $14,000 into $28,000 (via an online matching dollar-for-dollar campaign, of course!) and donate half to Artists for Peace & Justice and half to Camp Oochigeas. “That way I’d get to give give back and raise awareness!”

So we want to know: where would you power shop and how would you spend $14,000? Leave a comment or tell us in a tweet!

Shoot and Score for Charity

Posted on by NKPR

Despite their home team not winning the Stanley Cup since 1967 and holding name to the longest active championship drought in the NHL (bring it on 2011/12!), you’d think that Torontonian’s passion for the game of hockey might be on the decline. I mean, how could it not?

Well, guess again.

Toronto hockey fans are some of the most loyal and dedicated fans in the world and just because the Stanley Cup has been presented doesn’t mean its time to turn the page on our national pastime.

Hockey season in the GTA goes all summer long. It’s just that in summer, it’s ball and street hockey warriors who rule the rinks.

What could be better than a beautiful Toronto summer day, a few friends, and a never-ending rink of concrete to test out your skills?

That’s exactly the kind of thinking that lead to the creation of the first-ever Allstate Charity Ball Hockey Tournament! Allstate Insurance and the NHLPA joined forces for a great cause, as all proceeds will benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel.

Players aged 6-12 are invited to come to the Hershey Centre in Mississauga on August 6th to take part in a jam-packed day of tournament action. With guest celebrity fans, NHL players, and gold medal-winning athletes taking part in the festivities, it promises to be a day future hockey stars will remember.

Plus, there’s going to be live music, face-painting, pictures, autographs, and FREE Allstate All-Canadians t-shirts and mini sticks for all players! Not to mention that every player gets free tickets for the whole family to see the All-Canadians Mentorship Camp Exhibition Game for right after the tournament!

Evidently in Toronto all the built-up frustration from not winning the Stanley Cup over the past 44 years is vented by hosting really cool summertime hockey events (even if we can’t host the best one of all: the Stanley Cup Parade).

Visit www.allstateballhockey.ca to register your team today!

– Ethan Wright

nkpr intern ethan wright

Meet the NKPR Interns: Ethan Wright

Posted on by NKPR

Summer always brings a fresh crop of interns to NKPR – and we’re grateful for a few extra sets of hands, especially leading up to the Toronto film festival and the NKPR IT Lounge.

In return for bringing their enthusiasm and fresh ideas into the office, these aspiring PR stars get an all access pass to the inner workings of a leading boutique PR firm. It’s a whirlwind course in creative communications, media relations and event production you just won’t find behind ivy-covered walls.

Think you’re up to the challenge? Get in touch to learn more about our internship opportunities.

***

Previously a male-dominated industry, in recent years PR has shifted with women now leading the charge at some of the world’s leading agencies and firms. All we need to do is look around the office to see the evidence.

So no one was happier than former lone wolf André for the addition of Ethan Wright, the sole male intern at NKPR. Ethan’s quickly proven a valuable source of insight on topics we’re less-than-familiar with, like hockey, Street Fighter iPhone wallpaper and Motown.

Meet Ethan.

nkpr intern ethan wright

What are you studying and where?
“Environmental Science at Queen’s University”

Why PR?
“Because trying to fix an environmental problem is one giant public relations nightmare! Best to start learning now!”

Salty or sweet?
“Sweet. Don’t mess with my Cinnamon Toast Crunch.”

Daily must-reads:
“The Toronto Star sports section and the Yahoo! Canada Puck Daddy blog.”

What’s the most exciting/bizarre thing that’s happened to you at NKPR?
“The most bizarre thing that happens to me at NKPR (consistently) is my failure to pick up on female-centric pop culture references. Who knew that the Kardashians referred to a group of sisters and not just Kim’s left and right butts?”

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? How about now?
“I wanted to play goal for the Maple Leafs or become a lawyer. Only one is still realistic.”

Facebook or Twitter?
“Twitter, because it’s entertaining and a good news source.”

What company, brand or product would you love to work on?
“TIFF because I’m a huge movie fan and it’s one of the best film festivals in the world! And Aston Martin because, well, have you seen the DB9 Coupe? One day, one day…”

Favourite song-of-the-moment?
“Ain’t That Peculiar”, Marvin Gaye

What’s your idea of happiness?
“Sitting on a Muskoka chair at the edge of a dock on a warm lake with a cooler full of cold beer and group of good friends.”

Vote for Your Fave Fila T-Shirt

Posted on by NKPR

Most of us have dreamed of designing (okay, maybe just owning!) a custom-piece of clothing: the ultimate pair of pumps, the perfect little black dress or jeans that hug in all the right places.

To celebrate their 100th anniversary, our friends at Fila Canada are letting fans put their stamp on another wardrobe essential. The t-shirt!

During the month of June, Fila fans submitted innovative t-shirt designs for a chance to win exclusive access to a celebrity gifting suite and share their limited-edition t-shirt design with the stars of the Toronto film festival.

Well, the designs are in and now it’s your turn to help change the face of Fila!

fila t-shirt design contest entrants

Until Thursday, July 7, vote for your favourite design once per day to help select ten contest finalists. From those ten finalists, one grand prize winner will be selected by Fila Canada.

Voting is easy! Just click on over to the Fila Facebook page to check out the t-shirt designs and choose the one you’d want to wear.

We’ll keep you posted on the winner.

showdown in chinatown indochino steve nash

A Showdown in Chinadown

Posted on by NKPR

Last week a few of the NKPR team jetted to NYC to join NBA athletes and custom menswear e-tailer Indochino for the ultimate sports and style showdown: a Showdown in Chinatown to be precise.

showdown in chinatown steve nash demba ba indochino

Seven-Time NBA All-Star Steve Nash wearing the Indochino Showdown in Chinatown Suit (left). Newcastle United footballer Demba Ba accessories his Indochino suit (right).

NBA athletes including Tony Parker, Marcin Gortat, Brandon Jennings and Steve Nash were suited up by Indochino for the 4th annual charity soccer match. The event benefits under-served children with medical support, education and personal development through the Steve Nash Foundation. But before the athletes hit the field, they connected one-on-one over ties and tape measures.

showdown in chinatown tony parker lz ganderson indochino

Three-time NBA Champion Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs checks himself out in the The Giallo Three-Piece Plaid Suit (left); ESPN columnist LZ Ganderson tweeted “thanks guys, you got urself a new fan/client” (right).

showdown in chinatown marcin gortat indochino raja bell

6’11” NBA Player Marcin Gortat and Indochino CEO Kyle Vucko (left); NBA Star and Utah Jazz Shooting Guard Raja Bell proves the Indochino Diplomat Suit loses none of its style when paired with a casual look.

Aimed at sophisticated, stylish guys, event sponsor Indochino is the world’s first online provider of made-to-measure suits. Bloomberg Businessweek dubbed Indochino a start-up to watch.

And if there’s one thing the ladies on the NKPR team would watch a lot more of, it’s basketball – but only if the players are wearing stylish Indochino suits!

showdown in chinatown indochino steve nash

Indochino CEO Kyle Vucko, Two-Time NBA MVP Steve Nash, Indochino Creative Director Heikal Gani

 

nkpr interns part 1 laycee

Meet the NKPR Interns: Laycee Catalano

Posted on by NKPR

Summer always brings a fresh crop of interns to NKPR – and we’re grateful for a few extra sets of hands, especially leading up to the Toronto film festival and the NKPR IT Lounge.

In return for bringing their enthusiasm and fresh ideas into the office, these aspiring PR stars get an all access pass to the inner workings of a leading boutique PR firm. It’s a whirlwind course in creative communications, media relations and event production you just won’t find behind ivy-covered walls.

Think you’re up to the challenge? Get in touch to learn more about our internship opportunities.

First up in our Meet the NKPR Interns series? Laycee Catalano.

What are you studying and where?
“I’m studying Public Relations at Humber College.”

laycee catalano nkpr intern

Why PR?
“PR is about influencing behaviour to achieve objectives through effective relationships and communications; no day is ever the same and it keeps you on your toes. And using a walky-talky at events is pretty cool too!”

Salty or sweet?
“Salty! Any kind of Lays chips is my weakness.”

Daily must-read:
“The Metro and the Toronto Star. I have to keep up with current events.”

What’s the most exciting/bizarre thing that’s happened to you at NKPR?
“There have been many exciting moments for me at NKPR, including Fila on the streets, At My Best Day and Celebrate Bloor (using a walky-talky made me feel like a real professional!).”

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? How about now?
“Well, when I was younger I wanted to be the tooth fairy more than anything. After I grew up and realized that dream probably wasn’t going to happen, I turned my focus to public relations. Natasha is a very successful woman, and an amazing role model in a field that I’m striving to achieve success in.”

Facebook or Twitter?
“BOTH!!! I don’t know what I would do without my social media accounts. LinkedIn is also a fave of mine!”

What company, brand or product would you love to work on?
“That’s a hard question because the list is so long. However, I love sports so it would probably include a sports team.”

Favourite song-of-the-moment?
“‘Give Me Everything” by Pitbull and Neyo. I have a good feeling that song is going to be my summer song.”

What’s your idea of happiness?
“Happiness is a means not an end (my little brother always said that). If I had to think about what my idea of happiness is it would include a great career that allows me to achieve my professional goals. And driving a red Mini Cooper!”

Kiehl’s Shop for the Cause

Posted on by NKPR

If there’s one thing everyone on the NKPR team does well, it’s shop! (Yes, even the guys.)

Tomorrow, June 23, we’ll be shopping for a very special cause: kid’s cancer camps.

Kiehl’s boutiques across Canada will donate 100% of revenues to associations affiliated with the Canadian Association of Pediatric Oncology Camps, including camps like Camp Oochigeas, the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta.

kiehl's shop for the cause

To celebrate their 160th anniversary, Kiehl’s “Shop for the Cause” is in effect for 160 minutes beginning at 12 p.m. (in all time zones across Canada). Pop into any Kiehl’s store across the country to ensure your beauty buy helps make a beautiful difference.

Kiehl's Gives LogoCan’t make it to a Kiehl’s shop? You can also shop for the cause online at Kiehls.ca, from 12 to 3 p.m. EDT.

We thought shopping was retail therapy enough, but knowing our hard-earned dollars can help make a change beyond our individual shoe collections?

Well, in our (pocket) books, that’s money well spent.

 

Kiehl's Shop for the Cause

Posted on by NKPR

If there’s one thing everyone on the NKPR team does well, it’s shop! (Yes, even the guys.)

Tomorrow, June 23, we’ll be shopping for a very special cause: kid’s cancer camps.

Kiehl’s boutiques across Canada will donate 100% of revenues to associations affiliated with the Canadian Association of Pediatric Oncology Camps, including camps like Camp Oochigeas, the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta.

kiehl's shop for the cause

To celebrate their 160th anniversary, Kiehl’s “Shop for the Cause” is in effect for 160 minutes beginning at 12 p.m. (in all time zones across Canada). Pop into any Kiehl’s store across the country to ensure your beauty buy helps make a beautiful difference.

Kiehl's Gives LogoCan’t make it to a Kiehl’s shop? You can also shop for the cause online at Kiehls.ca, from 12 to 3 p.m. EDT.

We thought shopping was retail therapy enough, but knowing our hard-earned dollars can help make a change beyond our individual shoe collections?

Well, in our (pocket) books, that’s money well spent.

 

Celebrate Bloor Red Carpet Recap

Posted on by NKPR

Is there anything better than a lazy Sunday stroll on a beautiful summer day?

Yes: when that stroll is along a celeb-packed red carpet through the city’s most glamourous neighbourhood, with rockin’ tunes, hot cars and delish eats!

Yesterday the NKPR team, plus thousands of other Torontonians, spent the day celebrating the much-awaited completion of the Bloor Street revitalization project.

Attendees strutted up and down a one kilometre-long red carpet stretch of Bloor, from Avenue Road to Church Street, to take advantage of shopping deals, sample snacks from some of the neighbourhood’s most buzzed-about restaurants and covet the rides of the Yorkville Exotic Car Show. (We lost count of the Ferraris and Lamborghinis!)

The best part? A portion of proceeds from participating retailers, donations from the public and a generous $25,000 donation from The Holt Renfrew Centre helped support Artists for Peace and Justice, a non-profit organization created by Academy Award-winner Paul Haggis to support communities in Haiti through programs in education, health and dignity.

Now that’s something to celebrate!

If you missed out, we captured some of the star-studded fun. Check out the pics below!

rosey edeh et canada royal wood celebrate bloor red carpet toronto

ET Canada host Rosey Edeh / Royal Wood

paul haggis holt renfrew artists for peace and justice celebrate bloor recap toronto

Paul Haggis accepts a $25,000 from The Holt Renfrew Centre on behalf of Artists for Peace & Justice

lady starlight dj keshia chante celebrate bloor recap red carpet toronto

Lady Starlight / Keshia Chanté

Anjulie celebrate bloor recap red carpet toronto

Anjulie

mylene blake mcgrath celebrate bloor recap toronto

Mylène Dinh-Robic / Blake McGrath

degrassi the next generation celebrate bloor recap red carpet

The case of Degrassi: The Next Generation

stereos celebrate bloor recap red carpet toronto

STEREOS

miss universe canada finalists celebrate bloor red carpet toronto

Miss Universe Canada Finalists

 

 

NKPR Celebrity Look-alikes

Posted on by NKPR

We’ve been gearing up all week for Celebrate Bloor, the car-free red carpet party happening this Sunday, June 19 on Toronto’s revitalized Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Church Street.

Of course, you can’t really celebrate without celebs (and there will be no shortage at Celebrate Bloor, including filmmaker Paul Haggis, Lady Gaga’s DJ Lady Starlight, Blake McGrath, Royal Wood, Keshia Chanté and Danny Fernandez), that got us talking about our office celeb look-alikes.

You’ll never believe the superstars who grace us with their presence every day!

So if you think you spot Julia Roberts or Lebron James celebrating on Bloor Street this Sunday, don’t tweet the masses: it’s just their NKPR doppelgangers.

For the scoop on which celebrities you will see at Celebrate Bloor, check out the full event schedule.

See you there!