NKPRoductions featured in Marketing Magazine

NKPR IS NOW A SOCIAL MEDIA SHOP, TOO
February 08, 2011
by Kristin Laird

Toronto-based PR agency NKPR has expanded its services to include a four-person social media department called NKProductions.

The team will oversee online activities such as community-building, contesting, microsite creation and content development.

In addition, the team will monitor and manage conversations on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, and report back to NKPR’s account directors.

Social media has been a priority for NKPR since the dawn of Facebook, said agency president and founder Natasha Koifman.

However, as social media’s role in PR strategy evolves, the agency is continually creating and driving the content on these networks and sites, she said.

For instance, NKPR is developing a microsite and contest as part of a promotion that sportswear label Fila is running for its 100th anniversary.

“I think what’s happening to the landscape right now is there’s a separation between the PR agency, ad agency and social media agencies and the reality is… we’re actually the ones driving and creating the content,” she said. “So it was a natural evolution for us to launch a division to what we already do.

“The challenge out there is people don’t understand content-driven [communications strategies],” she said. “I think ultimately by starting a separate division, it makes it a little more clear for the client and even for us, to separate the service while at the same time making it part of a 360 program.”

Koifman said she hopes to add another four members to the team, bringing the agency head count to 30.

Originally published in Marketing Magazine, February 08, 2011

Social Media Week at NKPR


Happy Social Media Week! There are so many exciting events taking place around the world and -- as the only PR firm in Toronto selected to participate in SMW -- we’re hosting an incredible one this Wednesday night. It’s called Truth, Dare, Double Dare, Promise to ReTweet and you won’t want to miss it!

Mike Farrell, SVP Research & Strategic Insights for Conversion, will kick off the event and introduce a panel discussion featuring Oscar winner and Artists for Peace and Justice founder Paul Haggis (on being daring and leveraging social media for a cause); Toromagazine.com Editor-in-Chief William Morassutti (on telling the truth through social media); and myself (on how NKPR generates buzz and excitement about our brands). We’ll also have an exclusive performance by musical guest DJ Sydney Blu!

Be a virtual guest by logging on to our microsite http://smw.nkpr.net/. You can share your secrets here (anonymously, of course) and double dare other guests! Your dares, truths and "naughty but nice" admissions will be streaming live all night long on screens set up in our venue and on our microsite.

Follow me on Twitter @natashankpr for all the latest updates on Truth, Dare, Double Dare, Promise to ReTweet!

XO Natasha

Kiehl's skin care expert in Toronto


Today was all about skin care at NKPR! Kiehl’s Consulting Dermatology Expert and International Brand Ambassador Dr. Adam Geyer (that's him above) was in Toronto to discuss a brand new product with the media: Kiehl's Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler.

The press event was held at Holt Renfrew and Dr. Geyer had the entire room's attention when he talked about the benefits of the Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler, a breakthrough wrinkle treatment that offers results without the use of silicones. Dr. Geyer also spoke about some exciting new trends in skin care, including other types of fillers and lasers. Thank you for sharing your expertise, Dr. Geyer! We all learned so much!

Natasha
P.S. - Keep scrolling for photos from the event!

RW&CO. brings Spring to NKPR!

Last week, we held a media preview event for RW&CO.'s spring and summer Special Occasions Collection (plus some pieces from RW&CO.'s upcoming summer line) in our office. As we've experienced with the 2010 IT Lounge, our space can be transformed into anything we can imagine, and the RW&CO. event was further proof of that! Here's the before:


And the after:





The Special Occasions Collection is RW&CO.'s first ever line of bridal party wear, with dresses, suits and accessories that flatter a range of figures and give brides the freedom to mix and match across the entire line. And each unique look is priced at under $100! So while the space looked fabulous, the Special Occasions Collection was the real star!

XO Natasha

The best birthday


How lucky am I? Last night, my team threw me a surprise 40th birthday party in the screening room at The Hazelton Hotel! It was beyond amazing! Wonderful friends + candy bar + cake = one happy Birthday Girl! Here are my top five favourite moments from the night:

1. The surprise factor! I had no idea this party was going to happen.

2. The mauling of my birthday cake (see below). There were six girls and four forks. It was the best cake EVER!


3. The fortune teller. He was more popular than I was! ☺

4. Birkin bag and Louboutin cookies!:


5. And the most incredible part was… well… I’ll start crying (or laughing!) if I try to describe it, so just click here to see it for yourself!


Thanks to my team and my wonderful friends for helping me celebrate! And a BIG thank you to Jeannette for organizing the entire night (and directing the movie)!

XO Natasha













Behind the scenes!

Our office was abuzz this week with celebrities! While NKPR is obviously a great place to hang out for any reason :) the stars came in to shoot public service announcements for At My Best. Here they are in action:

Celebrity chef Anthony Sedlak practicing his lines to perfection. (If anyone knows about healthy eating, it's him!)

Tessa Bonhomme, member of the Canadian Women's Gold Medal Winning National Hockey Team, proves that she's a pro on the ice and in front of the camera.

Jennifer Botterill, Tessa's teammate (and a three-time Olympic gold medallist!), talks about the importance of children's health while the director looks on.

Tracy Moore, host of CityLine, was kind enough to let us film in her office at Citytv! (That's Katy holding up the cue cards.)

Thanks to everyone who took part in the shoot!

XO Natasha

At home with Essie

Yesterday, I was beyond excited to have a beauty legend in my home! Essie Weingarten, the founder of essie—the go-to colour-obsessed nail brand. She was in Toronto for the first time ever to speak with media about the February 8th launch of her brand at Shoppers Drug Mart. It was an amazing day full of colour and quality girl time! We started out at Breakfast Television where Essie was interviewed by Dina Pugliese. Here’s a photo of her on set with Dina and Kevin Frankish:

At an event in my home later in the day, media had the chance to meet with Essie and have a sneak peek at the new essie spring collection for Shoppers Drug Mart, "French Affair." Media got pampered with a mini-manicure and learned about essie’s customized nail care line, which includes base coats, cuticle products and top coats. Here are some of my favourite photos of the day:








It was a perfect day for a colourholic like me!

XO Natasha

P.S. Look for essie’s French Affair collection at Shoppers Drug Mart on February 8!