Cool to be part of something big - WPP Group

I have worked at companies that range in size from 5 people to 24,000  and now 141,000. WPP is definitely the biggest organization that I have ever worked for but I must say, WPP doesn't have that BIG organization feel. You have all the benefits of a big organization without any drawbacks.

Yesterday I completed mandatory training in two courses - Global bribery & corruption awareness and WPP Code of conduct: How we behave. The courses were really interesting. I feel a little removed from the evilness of bribery and corruption (thou I know my judgment can be swayed by chocolate) but I learned a lot about WPP from the How we behave training. You will be secure in knowing that I was already well behaved before I took the course but I was impressed with WPP Code of Conduct.  It is important to be reminded that a companies reputation is only as strong as each employees commitment to it.

If you want to know more about WPP and Grey, here are some details:

WPP is the world's largest group of communications services companies. WPP is made up of over 150 companies, and growing - check out the full list.  Services include Advertising; Media Investment Management; Consumer Insight; Public Relations & Public Affairs; Branding & Identity; Healthcare Communications;  Direct, Digital, Promotion & Relationship Marketing; Specialist Communications.
There are 2,400 offices located in a 107 countries. And in one of those offices is a hero of mine, Jon Steel, the author of Truth, Lies and Advertising: The Art of Account Planning.


Grey Group, a WPP company, is one of the ten largest advertising agencies in the world, with offices in over 96 countries and employs 10,000! We are a full service agency and our brand promise is to help our clients build famous and effective marketing campaigns.

Grey Group includes a range of subsidiaries including G2, GHG, GCI Group, MediaCom Worldwide, Alliance, G WHIZ and WINGLATINO. In a future blog I will detail out these companies.


Grey Group’s international clients include: Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Nokia, ETrade, NFL, Diageo, Volkswagen, Novartis, Wyeth, Canon and  3M.

The really cool thing is that although we are a big company, with wide spread marketing expertise and global support, we are a company of regional offices. The Canadian Grey offices (Toronto, Vancouver and KW) employ just over100 people in total and we are a fairly tight knit group. Each regional office has a strong understanding of their market with the ability to tap into larger global markets as needed.

And so far, throughout this global organization I have only encountered friendly, committed, interesting, smart people. There is no big city agency attitude with this group. For a small town girl that is so refreshing.

The cold blast of winter

It seems that the winter winds may be upon us. With each opening of the door we feel the cold approach of winter. At a busy spot like the hub, the outer doors are opening and closing all the time. If you are at the Communitech reception desk you feel the blast regularly, some days much colder than others. Isabel at reception is very confident in her thermostat, confident that she can keep her space warm through the winter.

Up in the service provider section we are snug and warm. There is a pipe, too hot to touch, radiating the warmth of hot water running along the far south wall in our section. My friend Matt Hodgson at Ernst & Young wonders if they will be too warm this winter as the pipe runs through their office. Although the doors from the courtyard are opened regularly, there is no blast of wind when opened. I do look forward to seeing this space covered in snow.

There are a variety of construction projects on the go in the building so outer doors are opened frequently. Soon there will be a reception desk at the main doors by Balzac's so there will be less confusion as people enter the building.

And the stairway seems almost complete. They have been working on this for quite some time. Last week more lighting went in and today it looks like they are doing painting work.  The wood planks in each of the steps are about 3 inches thick and very rustic. The stairway is a beautiful feature.

It is exciting to watch the daily progress of the building. Each day it seems that there is something new going on.

Media attention attracts attention

Phone and email have been busy with all the media attention we have received from the news release recently. Everyone is so jazzed about the fact that we are here in KW and here in the Hub. It is very exciting.

With this wonderful tool we call the Internet, word spreads quickly and then people start asking questions.

Exchange Magazine daily Exchange and November/December edition
Yahoo Finance
Twitter news

Strategy Magazine
Marketing  Magazine
Canadian Business 
Adbrands
Topix
Broadcaster Magazine
ClickWeekly
4G Wireless Evolution
Profectio
We even got picked up by Sports Technology

These are just the connections that I have seen to date. Our media relations team would have a complete list.

Media is an interesting tool in today's world. There are so many ways to get the word out and it is always interesting to discover how people are finding information in today's connected world. It is easy to connect with others if you have the know how to do it.

Working out the content kinks

Grey Canada is very excited and honoured to be able to display our creative work on the Christie MicroTiles® that are part of the reception area at the Hub. We have been running a number of creative loops created by both Grey and Conestoga College.

Today, the plan was for Chris Martin, New Media Technologist with Conestoga to update our files in the loop. But, as most of us know, we should always prepare ourselves for the unexpected when it comes to technology and high hopes. Alas, our new files are not quite up to snuff.

We seem to have a resolution issue with the 1x13 display. It is back to the editing suite to work out the fine details and hopefully it will be up and running soon. The good news is -- there is soon to be a refresh of the content. The bad news is -- it is not now.

Got the first one out of the way

Today has been focused on getting this blog up and running.
I would like to thank two people for their help today in getting this all set up:

• Kira Turner for all her wonderful "blogs work like this" help -- A BIG thank you shout out to Kira. 
• Andy Wright for some great photos of the Hub -- Thank you Point & Shoot Imagery

Obviously some work is needed in design, I will look to my designer colleagues within Grey to help with that. They will be able to do more with Andy's photos, I am sure. Mission #1 was to get the blog up and running. For those who find me in the early days I expect you will see transformations with time.

Blogging advice -- just get writing! Design will work itself out with time.

So, I have been out of touch with Hubbub activities today, toiling away on my laptop. I did meet the Vice President of Business Development for RDM Corporation, on a tour through the Hub today. More people to share the excitement of this new great facility.

A day in the life of the Marketing Service Provider at Communitech Hub

My office is tucked away from the main action downstairs. It is quiet here...for now. The other service providers have not yet moved in so there is not so much hubbub in the Service Provider section...yet. Occasionally a tour goes by, about 4 times per day. Everyone who tours through is very excited about this Digital Media Hub. Although there is a lot going on now, the pace is going to continue to pick up.

Yesterday afternoon with the heavy rain I heard water gurgling behind my wall. Not really sure what is on the other side of this wall. It is an interesting building and I haven't got the lay of the land all sorted out yet. No water coming in to my office but as my brother Charlie always said "water is your enemy" so hopefully it is not pooling somewhere.