PPPC Scholarship Program - Financial Support for Students is Just The Beginning

by Jae M. Rang, MAS, Chair of the PPPC Scholarship Committee

“Your generosity and concern in the commitment of helping to build futures for students like me is inspirational,” says Kristina Wiech, a recipient of a PPPC scholarship bursary. It’s only one of many compliments we receive from recipients. And, for the PPPC, providing financial support for students like Kristina is the just the beginning.

The pillars of this program are leadership, education and growth. Kristina applied for scholarship money so she could concentrate more on her studies and less on having to raise the funds to support them. While education is a foundation for a thriving economy, for Kristina, pursuing her degree might have remained a dream had it not been for this program.

This $3.9-billion promotional industry in Canada continues to thrive as the only tangible, one-to-one communication medium. PPPC is taking a leadership role, not only in changing individuals’ lives, but also in changing the way in which our medium is taught. The message about promotional products, often seen as giveaways with little or no measurable ROI, needs to change. This medium is powerful.

Under the education pillar, PPPC annually offers 14 scholarships worth $1500 to aspiring professionals studying sales, marketing, entrepreneurship, business or programs related to our industry. Students must be studying full time and make application to the scholarship committee who enthusiastically review the submissions. Since its inception four years ago, 30 students have appreciatively received their cheques.

Students across the country have a standing invitation to attend PPPC chapter events and professional development sessions at the annual PPPC conference in Toronto in January. Further, PPPC ambassadors visit colleges and universities across the country to enlighten students and faculty on the depth of the industry. Creating this two-way dialogue is critical to accomplishing growth.

We’re seeing growth on many levels. What’s most exciting is the new talent pool we’re bringing into the industry as a result of communicating with colleges and universities. We’re discovering motivated individuals who, ultimately, could be great assets to our diverse membership base.

The scholarship program itself is taking traction; in fact, three members have purchased corporate scholarships of $1500 under the PPPC umbrella and Atlantic Canada became the first regional chapter to develop a chapter scholarship. Regional chapters are encouraged to host “student events” to not only generate applications, but also introduce students to the world of promotional products. The financial gifts are growing; however, there hasn’t been one year in which all scholarship funds were entirely spent. Who do you know who is studying sales, marketing, business or media arts and could use a $1500 boost?

Applications are available online at www.pppc.ca. Applicants must complete the application and submit it with a letter of endorsement from a faculty member, an official transcript and a 1500-word essay outlining how this scholarship will support their goals. The next deadline for application is May 31, 2012. For more information on the PPPC Scholarship Program, visit www. pppc.ca or contact Chantal Fontaine: Chantal@pppc.ca.

Leadership, Education, Growth.Our future is ready for you!

siastically received and adds: “Podium Picks was a great way to engage Canadians in the Games and to get to ‘know’ our athletes better too. Podium Picks allowed us to start building a community of Globe Olympic enthusiasts. We will be reaching out to them — and others — in the coming months as we build towards the Games.”

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games is one of the most significant sponsorship commitments in The Globe’s history. “These are truly ‘Canada’s Games’ and we want to bring the Winter Olympics closer to the fans. We are planning a series of reader promotions that will engage Canadians coast-to-coast in new and exciting ways,” says Humphrey.

While a hoodie or hat is always good for joining in the spirit of the Games, for those interested in the finer things Canada has to offer — I’m talking wine here — they’re lucky that Vincor Canada was made official wine supplier to Vancouver 2010. “Because they’re Canada’s largest wine company, Vincor was really proud that they were allowed to win this bid…It could just as easily gone to another country’s brand,” says Leeann Clemens, spokesperson for Vincor Canada.

Being a sponsor presents a huge opportunity to shine the light on the fact that Canada has a thriving wine industry, says Clemens. “On a global scope our industry is very small. What they’re hoping is that it will not only put Canada on the world stage but the Canadian wine industry as well.” Vincor is certainly doing a wide array of promotions to get the word out.

Wine lovers may have noticed Olympic fever when Vincor’s Jackson-Triggs’ EspritTM Chardonnay and Merlot started showing up on store shelves and in restaurants in 2007. Named to capture both the French and English connotations of the word “spirit,” they are co-branded with the Vancouver 2010 emblem. Clemens says the Esprit wines are selling successfully. “The fact that a $1.25 from every bottle sold goes directly to the Olympic athletes, that’s just a great reason for customers to want to buy it.”

Inniskillin, also part of the Vincor family, boasts its own Vancouver 2010 contribution and promoted it with a launch party. Olympic freestyle skiers Steve Omischl and Deidra Dionne, Canadian artist Gordon Halloran and pastry chef Thierry Busset were on hand in November to sign bottles and speak at the British Columbia launch of the Inniskillin Vidal Icewine Commemorative Edition. Halloran, who is internationally renowned for using ice as his canvas, was a natural fit to create the artwork for the bottle’s label. “The artwork was taken from Gord’s ‘Paintings Below Zero’ installation at the Cultural Olympiad of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy,” says Shivauna Brown, Vincor Olympic project manager. Sold in a tube, the commemorative Inniskillin icewine stands out on the shelf.

“Promotions are one the most valuable modes to generating excitement towards our Canadian athletes. Accounts are able to leverage our marketing rights through promotions tied to the Esprit wines,” says Brown. There are more promotions to look forward to from Vincor Canada in its efforts to win gold for Canada’s wine industry. From innovative retail and restaurant promotions, high visibility at Vancouver 2010 events, hospitality programs, and corporate gifting opportunities, it promises to be an interesting year for promotion hounds. Cheers to that!

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