PAST EVENTS

Beyong the Headlines

In today’s fractured media landscape, Canadian journalists are out numbered by PR professionals and are increasingly taking on multiple beats. As PR professionals, we seek to double down on placing stories for maximum brand exposure, yet journalists are receiving an over whelmingly large volume of pitches.

Join us for a candid discussion titled Beyond the Headlines about the dos and don’ts of media outreach in Canada straight from the source – the media.

Our lineup of media professionals includes:

Lauren Toffan, Chase Producer/Writer, CTV News

Lauren is a passionate journalist and storyteller. She is currently a staff Chase Producer with CTV News Channel but she has taken on several roles working as a segment producer and writer in both breaking news and current affairs programming. Before joining CTV, she wore many hats working at CBC, ranging from digital reporter for CBC Windsor, Associate Producer for CBC’s Parliamentary Bureau and writer for CBC’s Power and Politics. She has strong news judgement, excellent storytelling skills and frequently selects pitches and conducts interviews each day. She is fascinated with the changing media landscape and hopes to contribute her skills and keep telling great stories for years to come.

Truc Nguyen, Freelance writer and editor

Truc Nguyen is aToronto-based freelance writer and full-time communications professional whose work has appeared in Elle Canada, FASHION, Toronto Life, Refinery29 and The Globe and Mail. Previously, she worked in the fashion and market departments of Teen Vogue and Vogue Living, and as a senior editor at Flare, where she styled celebrities such as Selena Gomez and Grimes for the magazine’s cover stories.

Mali Raja, Staff writer, Corus Entertainment

Mali is involved in all things content-related and acts as the face in front of and behind the camera for a number of brands in Canada. At Corus Entertainment, she creates video-first content, regularly contributes written articles and manages influencers for brands such as Slice, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada,Showcase, History, Global TV and previously ET Canada and Complex Canada. In her free time, she is a freelance UGC creator and social media manager with a focus on fashion, food and lifestyle.

The panel will be moderated by Rasha Fawakhiri, Principal, RF Communications.

Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024

Time: 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (EST)

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

To register for this event, please click here

Registration Fees:

First 20 Members/Student Members FREE

Members – $10.00 + HST

Non-Members – $15.00 + HST

Student Members – $10.00 + HST

Students Non-Members – $15.00 + HST

Check out CPRS Toronto’s LinkedIn and Instagram accounts for updates.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

PR SPARKS 2024

PR Sparks gives you the chance to visit Toronto’s top PR firms. This event is a great opportunity to network and learn from the best people in the public relations field.

Veritas (10 am to 12 pm)

Agnostic (1:30 pm to 3:30 pm)

Costs:

Student Members $15.00

Non-Members $20.00

Registration here

Crafting a Winning ACE Award Submission 

The Achieving Communications Excellence (ACE) Awards has celebrated Toronto’s talented and innovative public relations community for over twenty years. An ACE Award is synonymous with talented insight and skillful execution, helping to raise the winner’s profile, generate new business opportunities, and elevate the profession across organizations and sectors.

Join us for our upcoming webinar to learn more about the CPRS Toronto ACE Awards submission requirements along with strategies and tips on developing a winning entry. The session will be delivered by past judges and winners who will provide firsthand insights on being successful.

Event details:

Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Time: 12:00-1:00pm

Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

Members, non-members and students are invited to join this free session.

To register for this event, please click here.

We hope to see you there!

This Black History Month, seize the opportunity to elevate your understanding of PR and communication.

Join us for our upcoming event, Beyond the Message – Celebrating Black History Month, as we explore awe-inspiring storytelling that not only talk the talk but walk the walk. Together, we’ll look at some of the most inspiring PR and Communications campaigns that successfully resonated with the essence of Black history and culture.

Best part? You will also get tips and best practices on how to create your own campaigns that embody diversity, equity, and inclusion focused on celebrating Black History.

Our stellar lineup of Guest Contributors includes industry luminaries who have shaped the landscape are:

Daniella Etienne, Owner, Le Code Switch Agency

With over two decades in strategic marketing and program development, Daniella Etienne, a daughter of Haitian immigrants, focuses on the inclusivity question in the business landscape. Committed to lifelong learning, she strives to provide equitable access to knowledge and opportunities. A cultural and diversity expert, her career journey includes managing partnerships at Universal Music Canada and leading global marketing campaigns at Pandora. Currently, with the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat, Daniella champions narratives that center on equity-deserving communities. In 2022, she founded Le Code Switch, a bilingual inclusive marketing agency. Awarded for anti-racism contributions, Daniella is a respected communications specialist and board member at Racial Equity Screen Office (RESO), working with various clients, including supporting the marketing and copywriting efforts of the Inclusion Now Office at McCarthy Tétrault to name a few, shaping equitable change while upholding her guiding principle: “Nothing about us without us”.

Renee Weekes Duncan, Senior Vice President, Golin Canada

Renee Weekes Duncan is a strategic integrated communications leader adept at devising robust, meaningful and creative strategic campaigns that make a major impact and deliver tangible results.

As a senior vice-president at Golin Canada, she’s created, managed and implemented PR, D&I, influencer, social media and content programs, including leading D&I communications at Rogers.

She specializes in relationship building, developing campaigns that drive impact, and has worked with high-profile brands across North America such as Nike, P&G, RBC, CBC and Nestle.

In 2017, she co-founded Code Black Communicator Network, an organization created to provide a space for learning, growing and knowledge exchange for Black communications professionals.

Lesli Fairweather, Senior Marketing Manager, Roots

Lesli Fairweather is a marketing professional with a passion for crafting compelling brand stories and driving strategic growth. With over 17 years of experience working within a Marketing and PR capacity, her proven track record of success has been honed through her experiences in both the Canadian and U.S. markets. Lesli has successfully overseen marketing initiatives for renowned brands such as, Sephora, NARS, BareMinerals, and Lacoste Footwear.

Specializing in executing omni-channel communication strategies, Lesli currently leads PR and Social Media at Roots, and brings a unique blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership. Whether it’s shaping a brand’s tone, optimizing budgets, or fostering innovative collaborations, Lesli thrives on creating impactful and sustainable brand experiences.

These influential voices will share their success stories, strategies, and tips. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and celebrate Black History.

Event details 

Date: Thursday, February 8, 2024

Time: 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Location: Zoom

Registration Fees:

• First 20 Members/Student Members FREE
• Members – $10.00 + HST
• Non-Members – $15.00 + HST
• Student Members – $10.00 + HST
• Students Non-Members – $15.00 + HST

To register for this event, please click here

We hope to see you there!

PASSPORT TO PR

JANUARY 19, 2024

Passport to PR gives you the chance to visit Toronto’s top PR firms, this event is a great opportunity to network and learn from the best people in the public relations field.

Morning Session:

9:00 am to 9:45 am     Edelman/Dove

10:40 am to 11:25 am   Talk Shop

12:15 pm to 12:45 pm   Middle Child

Afternoon Session:

2:00 pm to 2:45 pm     Proof

3:00 pm to 3:45 pm     Edery & Lord

4:45 pm to 5:30 pm     1Milk2Sugars

Costs:

Morning or Afternoon Session:

Student Members $15.00

Non-Members $20.00

Full Day:

Student Members $25.00

Non-Members $30.00

PASSPORT TO PR

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024

Passport to PR gives you the chance to visit Toronto’s top PR firms, this event is a great opportunity to network and learn from the best people in the public relations field.