Released on November 15, 2010
Premier Brad Wall and Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison today unveiled a new three-year national marketing campaign to promote Saskatchewan as a great place to live, work, invest and do business.
Wall said the campaign theme - "Real Growth, Real Opportunity" - describes the energy and optimism in the new Saskatchewan.
"Saskatchewan is a great place to invest and do business, and we want to deliver that message to a national and international audience," Wall said. "This campaign is an effective way of getting that message out."
"More than ever before, Saskatchewan is top of mind for people and investors across Canada and around the world," Harrison said. "This campaign is not focused within our borders because the people of our province already know Saskatchewan is a great place to live and work. This is an opportunity to show the rest of the world why Saskatchewan is leading the country forward."
The campaign focuses on the province's attractive business climate and its status as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. It helps tell the Saskatchewan story by highlighting real stories from real people about why they have chosen to do business in Saskatchewan or move here to start a career.
"Saskatchewan has an opportunity-rich economy that is open for business investment," Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve McLellan said. "This province continues to welcome new business and new residents and we believe that the best way to attract more of both is simply to extend an invitation. This campaign will do that very well."
"Saskatchewan hit the jackpot in terms of the diversity and size of its mineral resources," Saskatchewan Mining Association Executive Director Pam Schwann said. "Combined with a supportive policy framework for sustainable resource development and untapped potential for new deposits, the message is clear: Saskatchewan is not just a place to be, but the place to be."
The budget for the campaign is $1.3 million for 2010-11 and $700,000 for 2011-12. The budget for the third year will be determined upon evaluation as the campaign moves forward. Enterprise Saskatchewan, the lead agency responsible for development of the campaign, received assistance from Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration, as their ministry estimates that Saskatchewan will require nearly 80,000 skilled people in the workforce over the next five years to meet rising demands. Enterprise Saskatchewan will also partner with the Saskatchewan Mining Association to promote labour recruitment events to key sectors in the province.
The campaign will be carried out via television ads, online components and print media. Television commercials began airing nationally on November 14 and will appear on targeted specialty news and business channels, as well as during the CFL play-offs on TSN.
The campaign website is available at www.thinksask.ca.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Rebecca Rogoschewsky
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0980
Cell: 306-529-1601
Joanne Johnson
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
Email: joanne.johnson@enterprisesask.ca