Comments on: The Power of a Story – Tim Hortons Advertising

By: Starbucks Launches an Interactive Marketing Iniative: Starbucks Signature

Starbucks Launches an Interactive Marketing Iniative: Starbucks Signature — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 01:50:55 +0000

[...] Note: I’m a Tim Hortons kinda [...]

By: Marketing with Happiness has become Social Medias Specialty

Marketing with Happiness has become Social Medias Specialty — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:36:00 +0000

[...] A powerful story has always been one of the most effective ways to find marketing success. As marketers, we purposely position our messages in ways that will evoke a variety of different emotions. To be blunt, Marketers love it when consumers are unhappy. Unhappiness is actually one of the driving factors behind successful marketing. [...]

By: Emotional ads are becoming an epidemic.

Emotional ads are becoming an epidemic. — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:36:12 +0000

[...] filled advertising is becoming more and more common in today’s market. From the Tim Horton’s advertisement that brought tears to many Canadians to this one. Emotional ads are becoming an [...]

By: The Art of Memorable Marketing - John Ready: Bar-Ter Night

The Art of Memorable Marketing - John Ready: Bar-Ter Night — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:19:41 +0000

[...] out advertisements because the majority of them are pointless and never compare to an ad that is memorable. Some would argue that the reason they don’t remember has nothing to do with the Ads, and [...]

By: McDonalds Fights Dirty as they Fight for their Coffee Crown

McDonalds Fights Dirty as they Fight for their Coffee Crown — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:25:30 +0000

[...] knows that Tim Hortons owns the Coffee Market in Canada. They realize that the only way they can compete is to grab their users attention and give them [...]

By: TheCoolestCool

TheCoolestCool — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:48:07 +0000

Wow, thats amazing Lucas… Definitely shows the influence Tim Hortons has had on our culture. I agree with you 100% in saying that Tims can't exploit the Canadian Culture because well….They're so deeply rooted within it.

Great points – Glad you stopped by…

By: TheCoolestCool

TheCoolestCool — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:45:43 +0000

Thanks for the comment Judi! While I'm not so familiar with all of those American brands I'm pretty confident Walgreens could pull of an emotional ad. I think your idea about Starbucks using this type of Ad but using the internet/family connection is interesting. I have a feeling that an Ad like that could resonate with a lot of people from US to Canada. I haven't gone into a Starbucks in quite some time without seeing someone skyping with a friend or relative.

Thanks again for the comment – Great thoughts and points.

By: Judi Samuels

Judi Samuels — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:53:20 +0000

This is a fantastic ad. Will it resonate with everyone? Maybe not, but what it will do is showcase a part of Canadian culture that is indisputable… That because of our acceptance of other races/cultures, we can bring people together, we can bring families together. There is a tight link to Tim Horton's as a brand as it is a well known Canadian brand, but also because Tim Horton's is an integral part of the Canadian communities. The link to what we do as Canadians in terms of diversity and welcoming immigration is clear with Tim Horton's.

And, that is why it wouldn't work for Starbucks. Not that Starbucks doesn't have a strong brand, and not that Starbucks doesn't have the ability to create emotions, but the Starbucks brand is not linked to a small community and the sheer fabric of the country. Starbucks could easily depict emotions by connecting people in different coffee shops together via an internet connection… You could create a story because Starbucks is the 3rd place. (Unlike Tim's – which is not a 3rd place, but an integral part of the community).

Could an American brand do this… yes. I might argue that a Walgreen's could; maybe a Dunkin Donuts, and possibly a Krispy Kreme.

By: Lucas Walker

Lucas Walker — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:53:11 +0000

Could an American brand such as Starbucks pull it off in the US? Probably not, because Starbucks isn't nearly a part of national culture as Tim Hortons is in Canada. Is it emotionally exploitive of Tim Hortons appeal to being one of the first parts of Canadian culture? Absolutely not, because Tim's has become a part of Canadian culture. History is marked by corporations shaping and influencing culture, look at Canada, most of the land used to be owned by the Hudson's Bay Company - or how Ford shaped our neighbours to the south. Tim Hortons has become as much a part of Canadian culture as big winter coats and immigration. If you disagree that Tim's is a part of our culture and think it is just another company, read this from the Toronto Star's Random Acts of Kindness

A friend’s eight-year-old son had a special request for his gifts for his ninth birthday.

He came to her with the following note:

Dear Soldier: Today is my birthday and instead of asking my friends and family to bring me gifts, I am asking them to bring a donation that I will use towards buying a Tim Hortons gift card so that you can enjoy a cup of coffee as much as my parents always do.

Thank you for fighting for our freedom.

We both sat with tears in our eyes, amazed that such a young child would independently make this request for his birthday.
Debbie Upton, Toronto

By: TheCoolestCool

TheCoolestCool — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:37:08 +0000

Solid Points – Yet, All advertisements are made to sell something, to make money or to generate buzz. They do this by creating demand. To create demand you start by catering to peoples wants. People want to be good Canadians. People want to be Patriotic – especially during the Winter Olympics. There is no dishonesty in this Ad. They are giving people a chance to fulfill these wants. Every time you walk into a Tim Hortons you're taking part in the Canadian culture. This Ad is just reminder.