Halifax 2014 Launches Information Campaign

Halifax 2014 kicked off its local information campaign today, Sept. 20, with a busload of local athletes and supporters from Doctors Nova Scotia handing out "HERE we support the bid" window decals to businesses throughout downtown Halifax.

"The push is on to win the international bid and bring the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Halifax," said Halifax 2014 CEO Scott Logan. "Clearly, we've heard that residents want more information about what hosting the Commonwealth Games means for Halifax. By encouraging residents to visit our website we hope that the HERE campaign will help answer some of their questions."

The HERE campaign, which is part of an ongoing communications program, will be marketed throughout Halifax Regional Municipality from mid-September to mid-November. The campaign includes a mix of print, online and outdoor advertising.

Through the use of billboards, transit shelters, buses, ferries and ferry terminals, park benches and posters, HERE reaches residents where they live and work.

Images of hurdlers, gymnasts and swimmers will be displayed on the sides of Metro Transit buses, park benches throughout the city will carry the campaign's message, and Halifax's three ferry terminals will be adorned with posters. The campaign was the product of a creative partnership between local agency Cossette Atlantic and Halifax 2014.

"The HERE campaign will help build excitement throughout the city as we continue to focus on bringing the Commonwealth Games to Halifax in 2014," said Mr. Logan. "We realize that advertising is just one way to reach out to the community so we will also be hosting community information sessions, speaking engagements and public announcements that will help residents stay informed."

The introduction of the information campaign also provides the opportunity to announce that Doctors Nova Scotia is lending their support to the Halifax 2014 bid.

"The long-term health of our youth largely depends on leading healthy and active lifestyles," said Doug Clarke, CEO of Doctors Nova Scotia. "There is no better way to encourage our youth to be active than to be home to world-class sporting facilities, celebrate successful athletes and showcase sport as fun and exciting. Hosting the Commonwealth Games will go a long way towards creating a healthier Nova Scotia."

A third of the campaign cost was provided in-kind through the support of various media outlets including Halifax Daily News, Metro Transit, Pattison Outdoor, CBS Outdoor, Global and CTV.

The Commonwealth Games are an international sport and cultural event held every four years in which athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories compete. In December 2005, Halifax won the right to be Canada's candidate city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In competition with Glasgow, Scotland, and Abuja, Nigeria, the Halifax 2014 bid committee is now focused on developing and winning the international bid, which will be awarded by the Commonwealth Games Federation on Nov. 9, 2007, in Sri Lanka.