FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Smith
Days: (416) 947-0405
Evenings: (905) 333-0333
Jsmith@beastlures.ca

New musky lure designed for performance

TORONTO–October 18, 2024 – The new patented lure is designed specifically for musky anglers. Beast Lures new line – ‘Beast Musk’ – has patented 32 colour and pattern designs meant to resemble a variety of bait fish and 16 patent technologies to mimic bait fish movement.

“There hasn’t been a large bait fish on the market specifically targeted for musky,” said Johnny Sparrow, CEO of the Beast Lure company. There has never been a product like this for the musky fishing community. This lure is a game changer for the sport.”

Jimmy Johns, Beast Lures product design manager, confirmed that the newly designed lure has tested well with sport fishers. “We’ve sent some test lures out for professionals to test and give feedback, and they have been reporting great results. They call musky ‘the fish of one thousand casts’; with this lure, they were averaging one musky every 20-40 casts.”

Johnny Sparrow led the strategic design for the Beast Musk. The lure has won concept and product awards at leading North American trade shows in Ontario and New York state.

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* Beast Lures is the largest manufacturer of Lures in North America, with its flagship office in Ontario. Recognized as a sustainable business leader in Canada, investing in conservation and green energy to produce their products. To learn more, visit www.beastlures.com and follow us on Facebook.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Smith
Chair of the UN Board of Directors
United Nations
1-800-333-7777 ext. 777

UN appoints new President for Global Communications

HAMILTON–October 8, 2024The board of directors of the UN today announced Ms. Hareem Sattar's appointment as the new president of global communications.

"We are beyond thrilled to have Sattar join us in elevating our global communications; she will help us to combat the growing issues of mis- and disinformation and to promote a free and independent media," said Jon Jones, chair of the UN board of directors.

Previously, Sattar served the last seven years at UNICEF as their executive director, working closely with the United Nations Security Council to address current and potential humanitarian crises.

"I am honoured to lead the global communications team at the UN. I've worked closely with the global communications team in my previous role at UNICEF. I look forward to continuing the UN's mission of combating mis- and disinformation, while keeping an open dialogue and creating powerful narratives that resonate with a global audience," said Sattar.

Sattar holds a graduate degree in public relations and corporate communications from the esteemed college of Mohawk, in Hamilton, Ont.

she is widely recognized for her ability to maneuver crisis with innovative approaches to communications.

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Under her leadership, Sattar will lead the UN's communication team, overseeing global campaigns and ensuring that the UN's mission and vision resonate with global audiences.

The United Nations was established on Oct. 24, 1945. Headquartered in New York City, the UN also has regional offices in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. Their involvements include the areas of human rights, economic development, international relations, equality and trust territory.

MEDIA ADVISORY
Attention: Editors/Producers/Reporters

March 11, 2025

Canadian National Railway to Announce Innovative Technology

Canadian National Railway (CN) is holding a media conference to unveil a major innovation in freight transportation that will enhance efficiency and security for stakeholders. This announcement marks a leap in modernizing Canada's freight infrastructure and supply chain logistics.

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Media Contact:
John Karkavanidis
Public Relations Director, Canadian National Rail
(905) 345-4543
karkj@CN.com

Media Advisory - for educational purposes

MEDIA ADVISORY
Attention: Editors/Producers/Reporters

March 24, 2025

Jacksontown Univeristy to announce major donation for new facility.

Jacksontown University will announce a historic donation from philanthropist and business leader Peter Elgin, who is contributing funds to support the construction of a new facility.

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Media Contact:
John Karkavanidis
Public Relations Director, Canadian National Rail
(905) 345-4543
karkj@CN.com

Thompson Event Management and Supplies
P.O. Box 2034
Hamilton, ON. L8N 3T2

November 1, 2024

Janet Smith
132 Charity Pro Lane
Charity City, Ontario L2B 7B3

Dear Janet Smith:

We appreciate you reaching out and for considering us as a partner in support of Happy Charity and the incredible work your organization does within our community. We would be honoured to partner with your organization, within our means.

However, at this time we can only help through in-kind contributions, such as lending staff for volunteering and supplying tables, chairs or other event supplies. While we would love to contribute financially to support your mission, our cash donations budget of $25,000 has been fully allocated as we’ve had an increased volume of requests this fall.

Thank you again for considering us for this opportunity, and please let us know if the alternative support we are offering aligns with your fundraising goals. We would love the opportunity to further discuss how we can meaningfully contribute to the amazing work your organization does.

Otherwise, we hope that you will stay connected and reach out to us next fall so that we can offer you financial donation.

Sincerely,

John Karkavanidis,
Student

What Do Farmers Use to Fertilize Their Crops?

For over 37 years, Generation Plus has been converting waste into fertilizer that farmers use to grow crops that feed families

As one of Canada’s top 100 employers, we’re proud to bring over 120 new jobs to the Melonville community while contributing to keeping green spaces clean and green.

Our biosolids are safe for the environment and keep our lakes free from the wastewater we all create. They help reduce our carbon footprint and make our planet safer for the next generation.

At Generation Plus, We Believe in a Greener Tomorrow, Today

Feature
Contact: John Karkavanidis
Student, PR and Corporate Communications
The Agency–Mohawk College
(905) 234-5443

Enhancing Healthcare Through Visual Communication
Halton Healthcare has community in mind, empowering them to understand their care

OAKVILLE–March 24, 2025 – Each second counts in the chaotic whirlwind of healthcare’s high-pressure atmosphere. How an organization communicates often makes for a seamless or bumpy patient experience. While doctors and nurses focus on delivering compassionate and critical care, a crucial element in healthcare goes unnoticed–design.

Visual communication is essential to making hospitals navigable for patients, visitors, and staff, helping people understand critical health information, and reassuring individuals in moments of uncertainty. Design is not just about looks; it's the key procedure of a well-thought-out patient journey. For the public relations and Corporate Communications team at Halton Healthcare, design is carefully thought out, from wayfinding to patient education materials to enhance clarity, engagement, and accessibility.

Designing a Thoughtful Environment

When entering a hospital, individuals encounter a plethora of information, from departments and directional signs to electronic screens and safety measures like hand sanitizing, masking, and social distancing. This mental onslaught of information can quickly become overwhelming without a carefully designed strategy. Halton Healthcare has done its best to implement a cohesive wayfinding system across its three hospitals—Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, Milton District Hospital, and Georgetown Hospital—ensuring that navigation is intuitive and stress-free. However, wayfinding confuses many people for many reasons, including language barriers. Volunteers and staff (when asked) help to guide those patients and visitors efficiently. A well-organized system like this helps to eliminate the frustration of getting lost in an unfamiliar environment, allowing individuals to focus on their medical needs rather than worrying about finding the right department.

“Comms staff work hard to make sure any communications posted on a wall aligns with the brand, but in a large organization it’s difficult to police it.” says John Karkavanidis, graphic designer and advocate for standardizing design in healthcare.

Simplifying Complex Medical Information

It is crucial that patients and their families are able to comprehend healthcare information so that they can make informed decisions about their health care. However, medical terminology and jargon are often complicated and difficult to understand. Halton Healthcare has been reworking patient-facing education materials to serve their communities better and make them simple, easy to read, and accessible to all literacy levels.

Instead of dense, compact pamphlets, resources incorporated structured layouts, colour-coded headings, and graphic illustrations to convey key messages efficiently and briefly. By breaking up long-form text into digestible sentences, and clarifying complicated information with infographics, key health directions can be reinforced and emphasized via step-by-step text and images. Additionally, straightforward call-to-actions direct patients to engage with digital resources, including video explanations and interactive tools relevant to the patients’ care.

Building Trust Through Consistency

Branding and visual consistency increase trust and credibility. Halton Healthcare uses a select colour palette, Typefaces, and visual theme in all printed and electronic media. Whether through their website, social media, or printed manuals and brochures, their consistency portrays professionalism and reliability.

“An organization doesn’t necessarily need a strong brand, but they do need a consistent brand to gain the trust of their audience and be perceived as credible,” adds John.

Visual Communication Moving Forward

As healthcare increases, so does design's role in patient communications. Hospitals can think about new technology like augmented reality (AR) to enhance wayfinding and provide interactive patient education experiences. Interactive patient applications are making it easier and more efficient for patients to manage appointments and access medical records, all within visually optimized, user-friendly interfaces.

Another engaging tactic public relations teams can benefit from by integrating into their visual communications is motion graphics, short animations explaining procedures or recovery guidelines. These help simplify complex medical concepts, making them effective patient engagement and educational resources.

The Cornerstone of Patient-Centered Care

Design in healthcare is not about "jazzing up" written communications. It's about functionality, accessibility, and enhancing the overall healthcare experience. Halton Healthcare's commitment to strategic design shows that good visual communication is an invaluable resource for delivering exceptional patient care. By making accessibility and clarity a priority, they continue to set the bar high for community hospitals to leverage design to advance health outcomes and overall well-being for patients.

To see how Halton Healthcare is empowering communities they serve. Visit haltonhealthcare.com.

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Social Media Calendar for Power Protein Pack

The ideal month to launch the Power Protein Pack (PPP) is January. It aligns well with many women's health-oriented mindset when the new year begins–either as a New Year's resolution or to reboot their wellness habits after holiday indulgence. Furthermore, it is the month when children return to school, so PPP is an easy pick-up-and-go option for busy moms.

Additionally, with January marking the peak of cold and flu season, the PPP's blend of flavoured probiotics, collagen, and essential vitamins provides extra immune support, something every mom can appreciate.

To effectively reach our target audience, who are women at the tail end of Gen Z (24-26) and the first half of millennials (27-36), we'll focus on three key platforms:

The hashtags we will use to help keep track of content and to grow brand awareness:

#FuelForMom

#BusyButBalanced

#NourishAndThrive

#MomLifePack

Why we post on specific days and Themed days

Moms are more active during weekdays, particularly on Wednesdays and Thursdays. These two days are the best days to post content that engages and promotes the product the most. Weekends see a slight drop in activity as family time increases. So, the weekend should be light-hearted content or educational videos, so moms don’t have to engage with content but relax and enjoy it (especially for videos if they are short). Females are logged on social media during the late morning and early afternoon hours, specifically between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. In the evening, especially between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Sundays are dedicated to "recharging" – to help mothers ready their mindset for the busy week. Mondays are dedicated to "Motivation"– These posts help to motivate mothers as they get back into the groove of their week. Helping mothers get motivated for the busy week ahead. Friday's post will feature company employees or influencers using the PPP and highlight a key benefit of the product. On Saturdays, we'll share "relatable memes" to help relate to moms' busy week and start the weekend off with a laugh.

Social Media Calendar: What To Post

Influencer Pitch - for educational purposes

Subject: EXCLUSIVE CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE!

Dear Ben @moviereviewswithben

I am John Karkavanidis, an Account Executive for BMG Communications. We @BMGCOMMS would like to invite you a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience that redefines home entertainment.

As an immerging voice in the movie review niche with honest and insightful reviews. You are a perfect fit to help us showcase the revolutionary Le Cinéma Gen. 1. Your followers trust your voice, and this exclusive opportunity aligns perfectly with your passion for cinema.

Imagine stepping into a private movie-themed room at the Hamilton Convention Centre, surrounded by gourmet food, beverages, and the ultimate cinematic setup. You’ll enjoy a tailored viewing experience for you and four guests with a choice of films like Adrift–designed to showcase how Le Cinéma Gen. 1 amplifies emotion through immersive sound design.

This exclusive event will fill up quickly. Please confirm your attendance by November 21, 2024, so we can secure your spot and share further details.

I look forward to helping you share this exclusive and exciting event with your community.

Warm regards,
John Karkavandis
Account Executive, BMG Communications
(905) 123-4567


©️BMG Communications

First AI will imitate man, then man will imitate AI: The problem with social media

October 23, 2024
By John Karkavanidis

The problem with social media content

We are currently in the era of “personal brands”. Where people share their ‘expertise’, which is really a regurgitation of what AI spat out at their prompt. Recycled and reposted. This is becoming a problem because the more AI is trained on original content, the more unoriginal content it produces. Which encourages unoriginal people to post content that sounds original yet isn’t.

I came across this issue when I wanted to update my cover letter, and thought I’d use an ‘expert’s’ template as a boilerplate. When I finished writing my cover letter, I pasted it into Grammarly, fixed up my grammar and spelling and clicked “check for plagiarism and AI content. To my surprise, it was 0% plagiarized (why would it be, the cover letter is based on my experience), but 100% written by AI. How can that be? Well, turns out the expert’s post I was using as a template was completely generated by AI.

Some context

The relationship between art and life is traced back to ancient Greece. Those who study classical text, will be familiar with works from Plato–specifically ‘The Republic’ which viewed art as an imitation of reality. Which Plato viewed with skepticism and a step removed from the truth. Aristotle, on the other hand, talk about a similar idea through ‘Poetics’. He saw art as a way for us to learn and express truths about life.

First AI will imitate man

AI is trained using content created by man. With AI pulling from a knowledge base of pre-conceived ideation, it can only then output content that man would create or can think of (even if we do not think at as rapid a pace). Therefore, AI is imitating what man does.

Then man will imitate AI

Now we have “experts” who create content and disseminate information created by AI but passed off as if it is original content. The problem with this, is that the individual who is prompting AI is no longer creating from their own mind, but from artificial thought. Thus, man has gone from a creative independent thinker to an uncreative hack.

All this to say...

There is a fine line between selling remedies that work and selling snake-oils to ignorant folk like me.

Standardizing Visual Communication in Canadian Hospitals

November 11, 2024
By John Karkavanidis

The most important aspect of visual communication is consistency. The most important aspect of written communication is simplicity. The most important aspect of verbal communication is clarity.

How do we begin?

When we consider and utilize these aspects of communication synchronously, there is a lesser chance of miscommunication–albeit–there will always be someone who needs help understanding something regardless. Communicating complex information to a diverse audience is an ever-evolving practice. Yet, clear, simple and consistent communication eludes most hospital communications. The opportunities and challenges of standardizing visual communication in Canadian hospitals must utilize effective PR and efficient graphic design.

What’s the opportunity?

One primary opportunity in standardizing graphic design across Canadian hospitals is creating and sharing a standardized hub of resources and templates. Collaborating to develop universally understood symbols and icons for healthcare-related information could help achieve a cost-effective and efficient way for hospitals to communicate with their target demographics.

It can’t be that easy.

However, balancing standardization and uniqueness poses a significant challenge. While standardized elements can ensure clarity, simplicity and consistency, a degree of uniqueness is essential for individual hospital brands to adapt to the specific needs of their local communities, as no two communities are the same. The greatest challenge here is these hospital networks’ external and internal siloing.

Oh, but it can.

Establishing standard and comprehensive visual communication guidelines is paramount in addressing these challenges and outlining standardized elements such as fonts, colours, iconography, illustration and photography that represent the communities they serve while allowing for flexibility and customization for individual hospitals and their networks.

This would be the only way to get hospitals on board with creating a centralized repository of visual communication resources, including templates for common materials used in a hospital setting. Like brochures, signs, posters, infographics and digital communication, it will create an efficient and cost-effective resource for hospitals with tight budgets and limited access to graphic designers.

Where do we go from here?

Standardizing graphic design in Canadian hospitals requires a balance between consistency and adaptability, and the willingness of healthcare networks to keep an open communication channel between them and municipal governments can contribute to a standardized visual communication strategy across Canadian hospitals.

As Canada’s healthcare system continues to evolve, addressing the unique challenges of visual communication is essential for ensuring clear, simple, consistent communication in hospitals nationwide.

The Ethic of Ethics

December 04, 2024
By John Karkavanidis

We’ve been learning about public relations ethics in the past few weeks in class, how different PR associations apply them, and what’s expected of us who practice in the profession. Ethics is, at its core, the framework through which an individual or society determines what is right and wrong. However, unlike morals, which are rooted in Godly conviction–ethics tend to evolve or morph based on current societal norms, cultural influences and historical contexts. I believe it would make ethics subjective, shaped mostly by the majority consensus rather than an immutable, objective standard.

Why subjectivity is an issue

The challenge with subjectivity is if ethics are based on societal constructs, what happens when societal norms diverge, or worse, when they permit harm? If we look at the historical context, for example, slavery throughout the globe was ethically permissible, including discriminatory laws rooted in cultural biases of the time (and in places around the world, it still is.) This instance shows the dangers of ethics that lack an objective moral standard.

Why objectivity is important

Objective morals offer a standard that goes beyond our ethics. For those who believe in God, objective morals are not societal preferences but truths that transcend time and culture. Most don’t like the idea of these objective morals as they provide a benchmark against which ethical frameworks can be measured and refined. While individuals may waiver from these objective morals and disobey them, the standard is still immutable.

Ethics in PR

The path forward lies in reconciling subjective ethics with objective morals. At the same time, PR associations must adapt their ethical systems to fit objective morals, not societal standards. This alignment would ensure that ethics serve not just the immediate preferences of a society but the enduring well-being of humanity as a whole. PR relies heavily on written and audible communication. The ethics aspect is how PR practitioners influence communications; therefore, they bear a larger ethical responsibility for how communications are created and published. Ethics must be established with “objective ethics”–immutable ethics that don’t change on industry or social whims.

Gamma Technology’s GT-SUITE Software’s Empowering The McMaster University & Mohawk College BattChallenge Team And Beyond