| Testimonials |
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"Thank you for the absolutely fantastic job you did organizing the Miss
Saigon benefit for Bruce House.....WOW. This was a great one. As you know
it was a sell out."
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| - Bruce House |
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| UPCOMING EVENTS |
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| Michael Bublé |
08-May-2013
to
08-Jun-2013
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| In stores now |
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Canadian favourite and international superstar, Michael Bublé, is back in the charts with the release of new album, To Be Loved. Featuring duets with fellow countryman Bryan Adams and Hollywood starlet Reese Witherspoon, this is a release not to be missed. This year's host of the Juno awards, soon-to-be dad and chart star with It's a Beautiful Day, Bublé is currently riding high.
www.michaelbuble.com
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| Photo Gallery |
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We’re friendly, fast-moving—and focused on your success |
Connected and comprehensive. Agile and action-oriented. Strategic and savvy.
There are many ways to describe Knock on Wood, but our ultimate goal is always rooted in your success. Whether promoting your programs, marketing your services, boosting your public profile, or helping you raise funds—we’ll tailor a strategic solution to meet your needs in any context and for any occasion.
Our dedicated team provides a complete range of marketing and communications services including:
- Strategic planning
- Media relations
- Media buying
- Strategic advertising
- Promotion and publicity
- Special event planning, coordination and execution
- Community relations
National, strategic, and bi-lingual partnerships
For projects that reach beyond the National Capital Region, Knock on Wood leverages strategic partnerships with associate agencies in cities across Canada. We have executed local and national projects and campaigns in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Halifax. We also access a pool of talented communications professionals fluent in both official languages to provide fully bi-lingual services when required.
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| ABOUT OUR TEAM |
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Karen Wood, Founder, President
Karen is a highly respected media relations and event management professional with more than 20 years of hands-on experience in hospitality, entertainment and event marketing, concept development and project coordination. Read more
While maintaining oversight on every Knock on Wood project, Karen uses her knowledge and expertise to develop unique strategies and tactics for each client. Armed with her vast network of contacts with specialized experience, Karen works behind the scenes with her team on overall communications planning, advertising and media strategy, creative concept and promotional development.
Since launching Knock on Wood in 1997, Karen's professional reputation has earned her a number of industry and media distinctions, including:
- Twice nominated as a finalist for the Women's Business Network Business Woman of the Year (2009, 2004)
- Inclusion in the Forty Under Forty list of successful business people in Ottawa Business Journal (2002)
- Profiles in the Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Life Magazine, Ottawa Magazine, Where Ottawa, Ottawa Sun, and Capital Style Magazine.
- United Way Kindness Week Steering Committee – Marketing Chair 2008-present
- Canadian Women In Communications Ottawa Steering Committee 2009-present
Karen is frequently invited by local media to provide informed commentary on Ottawa's hospitality and entertainment landscapes and serves on the Board of Directors of The Snowsuit Fund.
Karen holds a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Ryerson University. She began her career in hotel sales and marketing at Toronto's Royal York Hotel and later The Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver.
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Stephanie Kersey, General Manager
Stephanie manages the strategy and leads the execution of strategic communication, planning and media relations activities for KOW clients. Stephanie has strong communication skills and places priority on bringing creative ideas to the table while developing campaign concepts and ensuring all elements of the campaign implementation are managed on time and budget. Read more
Stephanie has worked on a wide-array of integrated marketing projects and manages client accounts focusing on social media, media relations, crisis communications, event management and project management. Stephanie is Knock on Wood's thought leader on social marketing and development of social media strategies.
Stephanie studied communications at the University of Ottawa and marketing administration at Canadore College. Stephanie is an active volunteer with the Arthritis Society, and received the 2011 Ontario Special Events Volunteer of the Year Award, sits on the Trees of Hope committee, and has created graduated social media workshops for small businesses across the Ottawa Valley.
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Kita Szpak, Writer Publicist
Kita Szpak is a publicist, communications strategist, writer and speaker whose professional reputation is built on “positioning clients for excellence” since she opened her consulting business in 1992. Armed with honours degrees in German and Education from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario as well as business management certification from the Queen’s School of Business, Kita cross-pollinates sound business principals with marketing savvy. Read more
She has spent over ten years in the arts sector promoting and working with prominent Canadian artists, musicians and writers such as Robert Farrell, Maria Knapik, Firdaus Kharas, and Elisabeth Harvor as well as Ballet Jorgen Canada, Canadian Gospel Music Association, National Arts Centre and Centrepointe Theatre.
Although relatively new to Knock on Wood, Kita has already established her role as KoW's go-to entertainment publicist, having promoted the Canada Dance Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, Korean War 60th Anniversary, and Centrepointe Theatre’s Front and Centre acts Lorne Elliot, David Clayton Thomas, Amy Sky, and Dan Hill.
Last October, Kita published her first children’s book, “You’re Special Wherever You Are”. This April, Kita also accomplished another first by running the Big Sur International Marathon in California.
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Sarah Hoy, Writer Publicist
Born and raised in England, Sarah has a wealth of experience in media. Obtaining her journalism degree at Middlesex University, London, Sarah went on to work at a number of media outlets, including BBC radio. She moved onto national and local publications where she styled still life shoots and wrote features including travel, fashion, parenting, interiors and news. Read more
Sarah embarked on a four month trip across Canada in 2008 whilst blogging about her experiences as a backpacker. She moved to Ottawa in 2009 and continues to work in media here in the capital. She has gained further experience in writing, newspaper design, website design, editing and public relations.
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Catherine Stahan, Media Buyer
With over 25 years of industry experience, Catherine honed her skills in media planning and buying at several media-buying firms in Toronto including Media Decisions, Vitt Media International, and Creative Media Management, then in Ottawa was the Media Strategist for the Bytown Group and McMillan. Read more
Having specialized in attractions and events - The Ottawa Senators, Toronto's MLB All-Star Game, Harlem Globe Trotters, Canadian Figure Skating Association, CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) and Metro Toronto Zoo, along with tourism - Best Western International (Canada), Education: Recruitment - Carleton University, University of Ottawa and Algonquin College, food and beverages - Clearly Canadian, and various other categories, this knowledge ensures that sound strategic media objectives, plans and executions are crafted efficiently and cost-effectively.
The depth of her experience in market research and media management touches all forms of traditional and non-traditional media including print, electronic, out of home, and internet, along with promotions, contests, contra, and sponsorships and have included multi-lingual, bi-lingual, national, multi-market, regional and local campaigns.
Being a strong communicator with an affinity for detail, Catherine brings a high degree of professionalism and enthusiasm to every project.
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Jennifer Cavanagh, Project Manager
Jennifer is an accomplished Communications expert that brings a host of international experience to the KOW PR team. Jennifer has run campaigns for large multinationals including British Telecom, Publicis Blueprint, Unisys, Thompson TUI as well as delivering effective comms for niche clients such as Ottawa's inaugural Nuit Blanche in 2012. Based in London UK for over a decade she is adept at managing the cultural, legal and language requirements of diverse clients ensuring profiles are well defined and strategy effective. Jennifer continues to edit and contribute to various art and lifestyle publications in Canada and abroad.
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Justine Owen, Décor Consultant (Style Counsel)
Justine has been working in the Event Design and Interior Design industries for the past 15 years. Justine's Interior Design firm, Style Counsel specializes in residential and hospitality interiors, and had the privilege of designing The Ottawa Hospital Foundation's 2005 and 2006 Lottery Homes in Manotick. Justine has collaborated with Knock on Wood on numerous event projects providing services that, in addition to decor consulting, have included comprehensive event planning as well as publicity.
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Shannon Leak, Office Manager
Shannon is responsible for the organization and coordination of office operations, procedures and resources. Before joining Knock on Wood, Shannon worked in the financial services sector, taught English overseas, and volunteered with Girl Guides Canada. Shannon is an extremely organized and detail oriented individual who loves a challenge. Shannon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Studies from Carleton University, in addition to a diploma in Advertising from Algonquin College School of Media and Design.
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