Hudson’s Bay launched its “A Call to Joy” campaign on Monday with “Schitt’s Creek” stars — and recent Emmy Award winners — Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy front and centre.
“Our hope is that having two Canadian fan favourites deliver some lighthearted humour, paired with the nostalgia of our windows and meaningful gift ideas will help to make this holiday season shine brighter,” said Meghan Nameth, the Bay’s chief marketing officer, in a news release.
A campaign video features O’Hara and Murphy, who played mother and daughter Moira and Alexis Rose on “Schitt’s Creek,” in various festive settings and outfits. “This year, we need the holidays more than ever,” Murphy says.
In the release, O’Hara, who grew up in Toronto, recalled the excitement of seeing the Bay’s holidays windows every year and knowing her mother and father would buy the family’s Christmas presents there.
The Ottawa-born Murphy said her idea of holiday joy is “sobbing through ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ in front of the family Christmas tree.”
The Bay also launched the Holiday Hub, an immersive digital destination for shoppers.
“Schitt’s Creek” made history in September by sweeping the comedy categories at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Slaight Family Foundation donates another $5 million to Massey Hall renovation
Canada’s Slaight family has doubled down on its support of the renovation of Massey Hall with an additional $5-million donation.
The contribution brings the total donation of the Slaight Family Foundation to $10 million. Massey Hall’s auditorium will be named in honour of 89-year-old family patriarch Allan Slaight, a rock ’n’ roll and radio pioneer.
“Our family is pleased to know that our father’s legacy will be celebrated in this storied hall where so much musical history has been made and that our donation will have a powerful impact for the future of music in Canada,” Gary Slaight, president and CEO of the foundation, said in a news release.
The 126-year-old Toronto building, a national historic site, closed in July 2018 for a two-year, $142-million renovation, including interior and exterior revitalization, the opening of two new music venues and the restoration of the original stained glass windows.
Glamour and greed were always defining qualities of the TV series “Dallas,” which aired from 1978-91. (Let’s pretend the reboot never happened.)
Now, we learn those freewheeling Ewings may have also helped topple the Soviet Union.
At least, that’s the claim from Eurythmics musician Dave Stewart in a recent interview on Joss Stone’s “A Cuppa Happy” podcast, reports Deadline.com. Stewart says he once had a conversation with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who blamed the prime-time soap for giving residents ideas about living like wealthy Westerners.
According to Stewart: “He said that had more effect, that half-hour or whatever it was, than anything else.”
