Marketing News Canada – Details, episodes & analysis

In this live SocialNext Toronto 2025 conversation, guest host Maddie Alvarez sits down with Nithya Ramachandran, President and CSO at T1, a full-stack sponsorship and experience agency. Together, they unpack why modern sponsorships are more than logo slaps and check-writing, they’re strategic growth levers built on trust, collaboration, and meaningful activation.

Nithya breaks down how brands can use partnerships to reach audiences in ways media alone can’t, why asking “why” is a marketer’s most powerful tool, and how the best campaigns are built on shared values, not just shared budgets.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make sponsorships actually work (and prove their ROI), this conversation is a masterclass in modern partnership marketing.

In this live SocialNext Toronto 2025 conversation, guest host Maddie Alvarez sits down with Lana Rogers, founder of Gentle Lion Communications, for a candid and tactical talk on media scarcity, creative burnout, and why PR isn't just about landing one big headline.

Lana breaks down how the media landscape is shifting in real time and what brands and agencies can do to stay relevant, thoughtful, and audience-centered. From earned media realities to owned channel strategy, she outlines a smarter approach to storytelling, trust-building, and campaign planning in a noisy and fragmented landscape.

If you're a marketer, comms lead, or founder still chasing the golden press hit, this episode will reset your thinking. Spoiler: that Globe and Mail article might not move the needle the way you think.

The one where Jyll chats with Nadia from Diageo Canada.

Sign up for the Marketing News Canada e-newsletter at www.marketingnewscanada.com.

–

Special Offer for Marketing News Canada Listeners

Unbounce can help you easily build landing pages, popups and sticky bars. Highly customizable and no coding required, anyone can get started on converting more traffic into leads, signups and sales. 

Try it yourself with a free 14-day trial and get 20% off your first three months now! 

https://unbounce.grsm.io/5cmrgz1mt3r6

Thanks to our sponsor Jelly Academy. Jelly Academy has been helping professionals, students and teams across Canada acquire the skills, knowledge and micro certifications they need to jump into a new digital marketing role, get that promotion, and amplify their current marketing roles. Learn more about Jelly Academy's 6 Week online bootcamp here: https://jellyacademy.ca/digital-marketing-6-week-program

–

Follow Marketing News Canada:

Twitter - twitter.com/MarketingNewsC2

Facebook - facebook.com/MarketingNewsCanada

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/marketing-news-canada

YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCM8sS33Jyj0xwbnBtRqJdNw

Website - marketingnewscanada.com

Follow Jyll Saskin Gales:

Twitter - twitter.com/jyllsaskingales

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jyllsaskingales

YouTube - youtube.com/c/thegooglepro

Instagram - instagram.com/the_google_pro

TikTok - tiktok.com/@the_google_pro

Website - jyll.ca

Follow Nadia:

Diageo Canada - https://www.diageo.com/

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/nadianiccoli

The one where Darian interviews Monika from APTN about:

• APTN's role in broadcasting
• Bridging the gap between indigenous and non-Indigenous viewers
• What's in store for the future of APTN

Sign up for the Marketing News Canada e-newsletter at www.marketingnewscanada.com.

Thanks to our sponsor Jelly Academy. Jelly Academy has been helping professionals, students and teams across Canada acquire the skills, knowledge and micro certifications they need to jump into a new digital marketing role, get that promotion, and amplify their current marketing roles. Learn more about Jelly Academy's 6 Week online bootcamp here: https://jellyacademy.ca/digital-marketing-6-week-program

Subscribe to our Marketing News Canada Magazine coming this November 2022!

Subscribe today and receive 50% off a one year subscription to our printed magazine. Our first edition will be released this Fall 2022, followed by our second edition in Spring 2023. 

To receive your 50% discount, enter the coupon code: MNC-MAG-50 during checkout.

Subscribe Now!

Follow Marketing News Canada:

Twitter - twitter.com/MarketingNewsC2

Facebook - facebook.com/MarketingNewsCanada

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/marketing-news-canada

YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCM8sS33Jyj0xwbnBtRqJdNw

Website - marketingnewscanada.com

Follow Darian Kovacs:

Website - jellymarketing.com/darian

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/dariankovacs

Facebook - facebook.com/dariankovacspage

Instagram - instagram.com/dariankovacs

Twitter - twitter.com/dariankovacs

Follow Monika Ille:

Website - https://www.aptn.ca/about/our-people/monika-ille/

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/monika-ille-mba-4ba62096

The one where Darian interviews Stephen from FUSE Create about:

• Running an agency
• Current marketing trends
• How Stephen learns and grows as a business owner

Sign up for the Marketing News Canada e-newsletter at www.marketingnewscanada.com.

Thanks to our sponsor Jelly Academy. Jelly Academy has been helping professionals, students and teams across Canada acquire the skills, knowledge and micro certifications they need to jump into a new digital marketing role, get that promotion, and amplify their current marketing roles. Learn more about Jelly Academy's 6 Week online bootcamp here: https://jellyacademy.ca/digital-marketing-6-week-program

Subscribe to our Marketing News Canada Magazine coming this November 2022!

Subscribe today and receive 50% off a one year subscription to our printed magazine. Our first edition will be released this Fall 2022, followed by our second edition in Spring 2023. 

To receive your 50% discount, enter the coupon code: MNC-MAG-50 during checkout.

Subscribe Now!

Follow Marketing News Canada:

Twitter - twitter.com/MarketingNewsC2

Facebook - facebook.com/MarketingNewsCanada

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/marketing-news-canada

YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCM8sS33Jyj0xwbnBtRqJdNw

Website - marketingnewscanada.com

Follow Darian Kovacs:

Website - jellymarketing.com/darian

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/dariankovacs

Facebook - facebook.com/dariankovacspage

Instagram - instagram.com/dariankovacs

Twitter - twitter.com/dariankovacs

Follow Stephen Brown:

Website - https://fusecreate.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbrownfuse/

The one where Ted interviews Abdullah and Baba from The DMZ and Andie about:

• The hunger and passion of entrepreneurship
• Immigration work ethic
• Creative ideas for talent retention
• Best lego builds from our childhood

Sign up for the Marketing News Canada e-newsletter at www.marketingnewscanada.com.

Thanks to our sponsor Jelly Academy. Jelly Academy has been helping professionals, students and teams across Canada acquire the skills, knowledge and micro certifications they need to jump into a new digital marketing role, get that promotion, and amplify their current marketing roles. Learn more about Jelly Academy's 6 Week online bootcamp here: https://jellyacademy.ca/digital-marketing-6-week-program

Subscribe to our Marketing News Canada Magazine coming this November 2022!

Subscribe today and receive 50% off a one year subscription to our printed magazine. Our first edition will be released this Fall 2022, followed by our second edition in Spring 2023. 

To receive your 50% discount, enter the coupon code: MNC-MAG-50 during checkout.

Subscribe Now!

Follow Marketing News Canada:

Twitter - twitter.com/MarketingNewsC2

Facebook - facebook.com/MarketingNewsCanada

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/marketing-news-canada

YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCM8sS33Jyj0xwbnBtRqJdNw

Website - marketingnewscanada.com

Follow Ted Lau: 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ballisticarts/

Website - https://www.ballisticarts.com/

Follow Abdullah Snobar:

Website - https://dmz.ryerson.ca/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahsnobar/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/asnobar?lang=en

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/asnobar/?hl=en

Follow Baba Ajayi:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/babaajayi/?originalSubdomain=ca

Website - https://www.get.alwaysandie.com/

The one where Darian chats with Gah-Yee from Intuit about:

• Client side vs. agency side
• Her volunteer work with the IAB
• Elevating diversity in marketing and advertising

Subscribe to our Marketing News Canada Magazine coming this November 2022!

Subscribe today and receive 50% off a one year subscription to our printed magazine. Our first edition will be released this Fall 2022, followed by our second edition in Spring 2023. 

To receive your 50% discount, enter the coupon code: MNC-MAG-50 during checkout.

Subscribe Now!

Sign up for the Marketing News Canada e-newsletter at www.marketingnewscanada.com.

Subscribe to our Marketing News Canada Magazine coming this November 2022!

Subscribe today and receive 50% off a one year subscription to our printed magazine. Our first edition will be released this Fall 2022, followed by our second edition in Spring 2023. 

To receive your 50% discount, enter the coupon code: MNC-MAG-50 during checkout.

Subscribe Now!

Thanks to our sponsor Jelly Academy. Jelly Academy has been helping professionals, students and teams across Canada acquire the skills, knowledge and micro certifications they need to jump into a new digital marketing role, get that promotion, and amplify their current marketing roles. Learn more about Jelly Academy's 6 Week online bootcamp here: https://jellyacademy.ca/digital-marketing-6-week-program

Follow Marketing News Canada:

Twitter - twitter.com/MarketingNewsC2

Facebook - facebook.com/MarketingNewsCanada

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/marketing-news-canada

YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCM8sS33Jyj0xwbnBtRqJdNw

Website - marketingnewscanada.com

Follow Darian Kovacs:

Website - jellymarketing.com/darian

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/dariankovacs

Facebook - facebook.com/dariankovacspage

Instagram - instagram.com/dariankovacs

Twitter - twitter.com/dariankovacs

Follow Gah-Yee:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gahyeewon/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gahyeew/?hl=en

Twitter - https://twitter.com/geewhydubs

The one where Ted chats with Erik from Vail Resorts about:

• Turning Whistler into a global brand
• His early entrepreneurial days in Mont Tremblant starting a white water rafting business
• E-comm & Reservations: what's changed and what remains the same
• The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
• His experience at VAIL and how to scale brand experience
• His favourite book if he were ever trapped in a deserted ski cabin

Sign up for the Marketing News Canada e-newsletter at www.marketingnewscanada.com.

Subscribe to our Marketing News Canada Magazine coming this November 2022!

Subscribe today and receive 50% off a one year subscription to our printed magazine. Our first edition will be released this Fall 2022, followed by our second edition in Spring 2023. 

To receive your 50% discount, enter the coupon code: MNC-MAG-50 during checkout.

Subscribe Now!

Thanks to our sponsor Jelly Academy. Jelly Academy has been helping professionals, students and teams across Canada acquire the skills, knowledge and micro certifications they need to jump into a new digital marketing role, get that promotion, and amplify their current marketing roles. Learn more about Jelly Academy's 6 Week online bootcamp here: https://jellyacademy.ca/digital-marketing-6-week-program

Follow Marketing News Canada:

Twitter - twitter.com/MarketingNewsC2

Facebook - facebook.com/MarketingNewsCanada

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/marketing-news-canada

YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCM8sS33Jyj0xwbnBtRqJdNw

Website - marketingnewscanada.com

Follow Ted Lau: 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ballisticarts/

Website - https://www.ballisticarts.com/

Follow Erik Austin:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-austin-82a1a51/

Website - http://www.vailresorts.com/Corp/index.aspx

The one where Daryl interviews Albert from ILIA Beauty about:

• His role at ILIA Beauty
• Brand budgets vs performance budgets
• Advice for new marketers

Sign up for the Marketing News Canada e-newsletter at www.marketingnewscanada.com.

Subscribe to our Marketing News Canada Magazine coming this November 2022!

Subscribe today and receive 50% off a one year subscription to our printed magazine. Our first edition will be released this Fall 2022, followed by our second edition in Spring 2023. 

To receive your 50% discount, enter the coupon code: MNC-MAG-50 during checkout.

Subscribe Now!

Thanks to our sponsor Jelly Academy. Jelly Academy has been helping professionals, students and teams across Canada acquire the skills, knowledge and micro certifications they need to jump into a new digital marketing role, get that promotion, and amplify their current marketing roles. Learn more about Jelly Academy's 6 Week online bootcamp here: https://jellyacademy.ca/digital-marketing-6-week-program

Follow Marketing News Canada:

Twitter - twitter.com/MarketingNewsC2

Facebook - facebook.com/MarketingNewsCanada

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/marketing-news-canada

YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCM8sS33Jyj0xwbnBtRqJdNw

Website - marketingnewscanada.com

Follow Daryl Louie: 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryllouie/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/antisocialsolutions/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/antisocialsolutions/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/antisocial-media-solutions/

Follow Albert Chong:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertchong/

Website - https://iliabeauty.com/

The one where Darian chats with Karen from Youtube about:

• The rise of Connected TV
• Do's and don'ts of content marketing
• How marketers can leverage Youtube to increase brand awareness

Sign up for the Marketing News Canada e-newsletter at www.marketingnewscanada.com.

Subscribe to our Marketing News Canada Magazine coming this November 2022!

Subscribe today and receive 50% off a one year subscription to our printed magazine. Our first edition will be released this Fall 2022, followed by our second edition in Spring 2023. 

To receive your 50% discount, enter the coupon code: MNC-MAG-50 during checkout.

Subscribe Now!

Thanks to our sponsor Jelly Academy. Jelly Academy has been helping professionals, students and teams across Canada acquire the skills, knowledge and micro certifications they need to jump into a new digital marketing role, get that promotion, and amplify their current marketing roles. Learn more about Jelly Academy's 6 Week online bootcamp here: https://jellyacademy.ca/digital-marketing-6-week-program

Check out Jelly's Social Media Speed Dating video HERE

Follow Marketing News Canada:

Twitter - twitter.com/MarketingNewsC2

Facebook - facebook.com/MarketingNewsCanada

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/marketing-news-canada

YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCM8sS33Jyj0xwbnBtRqJdNw

Website - marketingnewscanada.com

Follow Darian Kovacs:

Website - jellymarketing.com/darian

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/dariankovacs

Facebook - facebook.com/dariankovacspage

Instagram - instagram.com/dariankovacs

Twitter - twitter.com/dariankovacs

Follow Karen Zuccala:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenzuccala/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/click2KAREN