News Alert: ING DIRECT Canada names Dashboard as interactive agency of record

Dashboard, a Toronto-based interactive agency, today announced its appointment by ING DIRECT Canada as interactive agency of record. Dashboard will provide strategic and creative interactive services to ING DIRECT. Dashboard will work to support the overall business, strategy, marketing and advertising objectives.

“With a proven track record and in-depth knowledge of our industry, Dashboard, is a valuable asset and a welcome addition to our team. Dashboard brings expert resources and strategic thinking to our business,” said Mark Nicholson, Head of Online Experience, ING DIRECT Canada. “We needed a partner who knows digital inside and out and Dashboard’s expertise is evident in our daily interactions with them. We’ve already begun working together on several campaigns and the partnership is certainly meeting our expectations.”

Since its Canadian inception, ING DIRECT has been a strong player in the digital space. For over 13 years, they have operated and marketed as a direct bank. A partnership with Dashboard, will further ING DIRECT Canada’s interactive initiatives. With big news for the bank on the horizon, both teams have already begun working.

“We are thrilled to add ING DIRECT to our growing roster of excellent clients,” said Daryl Aitken, President, Dashboard. “ING DIRECT was one of the first digital marketers in Canada, essentially digital veterans, so they are ready to go to the next tier of digital presence that Dashboard delivers on time and time again. Our team is already at work doing smart and innovative work.”

Click here to see the original news release

Dashboard hits Heatwave

There was commotion in the sand last Saturday as Dashboard took to the beach as part of the annual Heatwave volleyball tournament in support of Sick Kids.

Along with friends from ING DIRECT Canada and John St, Dashboard entered 2 teams in the Rec and Comp divisions, narrowly missing the playoffs but acing any potential Congeniality awards. With a solid Plan B in hand, the teams migrated to Murphy’s Law afterwards to re-hash the day, watch Germany take Uruguay… and to shake out the sand that always seems to get everywhere.

Great weather, great day, great cause. Well done teams!

Check out some photos from the day.

Helping our clients shed their security blankets

Like most retailers, our automotive clients are under an avalanche of information, telling them how important it is for them to move their advertising and marketing models more towards digital and social media. It’s a great time to be a digital agency, you’d think the clients would be throwing their dollars at us and we’d be up to our ears in projects.

Not so fast…

We’re seeing our media universe change so quickly it’s making our client’s heads spin.

Not good…

Our automotive clients have been in business a long time…they know how to advertise in print, radio and television, but they look to us to provide the strategies for the digital arena. We can strategize until the cows come home, but unless our clients understand the tools and outlets we want to use to promote their brand, none of us are ahead.

Seeing this, Dashboard and Google teamed up this past Wednesday for a Digital Symposium tailored for the Ontario Toyota Dealers Association. Both teams delivered engaging sessions. The dealers were taken through general search and Google Adwords basics, and looked at how to effectively use multiple digital media tools to reduce spend and increase ROI. We ended the day with ‘Social Media 101’, where everyone left feeling energized and aware of how this new medium could help their businesses and brand.

As we left the conference room I noticed a few discarded blankets…

Meet Ralph Reefke, He Got Tim’s Job

Way back in March we set out on a search for a new Director of Technology Innovation to replace our beloved Tim. We needed to find the right candidate, a leader who could be the glue that bonds creative to development and clients to technology. After a long and exhausting search we met Ralph, and we’re so glad we did.

Ralph brings to the table 10 years of experience working on brands like GM, Nestle, and Rogers. Experience aside, what really excited us about Ralph was his attitude and overall nice guy qualities, and we were so excited when he decided to join the Dashboard team. Daryl Aitken, Dashboard Commander in chief said it best:

“Ralph is a problem solver, a team player and a leader…A nice guy and  a great addition to our team. LinkedIn works!  Thanks to Scott and Scott for the introductions, Dashboard owes you!”

According to Ralph he joined the team at Dashboard to work with all the “swelligant people” and “because they had the best online application EVAH!”

With the addition of Ralph at the helm of our development team Dashboard is very excited about what the future holds for both the Agency and our Clients.

Welcome aboard Ralph!