Canadian Blood Services Finds the Right Type in DDB and OMD

Agencies sign new three-year contract for strategic advertising and media management services

OTTAWA, March 31 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadian Blood Services has renewed its partnership with DDB Canada and OMD Canada; signing a new, three-year contract for strategic advertising and media management services. Both DDB and OMD will continue to help recruit and retain the next generation of blood donors in Canada, in addition to helping expand and diversify the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network.

The selection of DDB Canada and OMD Canada followed a rigorous RFP process which narrowed the field from 16 responses to a short list of 6 potential Canadian agencies.

"We are excited to continue building on the collaborative and creative strategies developed with DDB Canada and OMD Canada over the past four years," says Ian Mumford, Canadian Blood Services' Chief Operating Officer. "As committed strategic partners, they have demonstrated their commitment to our cause and are prepared to invest heavily in the creative process to develop ground-breaking ideas for donor recruitment, enhance our strategic platform and support a long-term recruitment strategy. Over the next three years, our partnership with DDB Canada and OMD Canada will help us inspire more Canadians from all walks of life to become regular blood donors and stem cell registrants."

DDB Canada will continue as the advertising agency partner responsible for strategic planning and advertising. OMD Canada will continue as the agency responsible for strategic media planning and placement of Canadian Blood Services advertising.

"The simple fact is, we as an agency couldn't imagine not working with Canadian Blood Services," says David Leonard, DDB Canada's National President and Chief Operating Officer. "With a cause so central to the vitality of all Canadians, our work together is unfortunately never done. We're excited to extend our relationship and commitment to such a worthy cause, and look forward to the task of helping change how Canadians think and feel about the act of giving blood - of giving life."

"We are thrilled that our close partnership with Canadian Blood Services will continue," says Lorraine Hughes, President, OMD Canada. "Our commitment and dedication to the cause at OMD is unwavering. We will continue to get the message to as many Canadians as possible that the gift of blood can and will change someone's life. What a fantastic opportunity to be involved in a cause that is so important to all of us."

DDB Canada and OMD Canada first became agency of record partners with Canadian Blood Services on April 1, 2006. Canadian Blood Services, DDB Canada and OMD Canada will officially renew the three-year relationship on April 1, 2010.

About Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the supply of blood and blood products in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec. Canadian Blood Services also oversees the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network, and provides national leadership for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Canadian Blood Services operates 42 permanent collection sites and more than 20,000 donor clinics annually. The provincial and territorial Ministries of Health provide operational funding to Canadian Blood Services. The federal government, through Health Canada, is responsible for regulating the blood system. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.blood.ca.

About DDB Canada

Named Strategy's 2009 Agency of the Year and Top Creative Agency, DDB Canada is the most creatively acclaimed, internationally recognized marketing communications agency in Canada. Known for advertising that generates significant results for clients, DDB Canada is a "total communications company" whose fundamental belief is that creativity is the most powerful force in business. DDB Canada has offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal. The agency's integrated groups include: DDB Kid Think (youth marketing), DDB Public Relations, Tribal DDB (online and interactive), Karacters Design Group, Rapp Collins (direct) and Radar DDB (social media marketing).

About OMD Canada

OMD is Canada's single largest media management company. Adweek Magazine recently selected OMD as its 2009 Global Media Agency of the Year. OMD also ranked No. 1 in the 2005 Gunn Report which recognizes achievement in media creativity. OMD was established in 1999 and has offices in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. OMD Canada is a member of OMD Worldwide and is affiliated with Omnicom's three agency networks: BBDO, DDB and TBWA.

For further information: Media contacts: Paul McGrath, National Public Affairs Manager, Canadian Blood Services, Tel: [phone], [email protected]; Martine Lévy, DDB Canada, Tel: [phone], [email protected]