Press Releases

National Market

TiVo-less television targets hotel guests
By Adam Bonislawski
Other Advertising Magazine (April 2006)

Imagine the following scenario: affluent, educated, open minded consumers relax in a captive, almost ad-free environment, sometimes for hours at a time, with little more than a bed, a table and a chair to distract them.
Sounds like some sort of strange marketing Xanadu, no? Actually, it's not a half-bad description of the typical hotel room...
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Marketing Innovation

The Resort at Squaw Creek offered a unique marketing opportunity as the
hotel had generated more than 60,000 loyal resort visitors since opening in
1990. Lead by Roxanne Reid, VP of Project Marketing, the S&P marketing team
analyzed the market and built a direct contact marketing program designed to
support a relationship based sales approach.

“The marketing program for RSC was a truly integrated approach to telling
our story to the loyal hotel visitor and other Squaw Valley enthusiasts that
were looking for a four-star experience,” explained Reid. “We worked with
specialists like Switch Interactive and Resort TV of Whistler and combined
their talents to showcase the incredible amenities and lifestyle at the
resort.”

The S&P team crafted an integrated program that combined a series of
traditional collateral materials with such innovations as in-room
narrow-casting on the resort TV network, web site with integrated streaming
video and S&P’s proprietary Storysite(tm) technology. The result? The
prospective customer could hear the Resort at Squaw Creek story at the
resort or in the comfort of their own home.
Could Ski-Resort CANs Climb Every Mountain?
AKA.tv (February 16 2005)

The sun is out, the air is crisp and everywhere you look are smiling holidaymaker's, dressed in expensive clothing and carrying costly luxury equipment. They're enjoying a good time and have money to spend, but need information in order to plan their activities for that day and evening. Some are waiting around and need to be entertained..
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Resort TV is Producing Television Show About Whistler.
Press Release (September 4, 2003)

Open casting auditions for local hosts are taking place September 24 in Whistler.
Whistler, September 3, 2003: Resort TV Network, also known as Whistler Resort TV, is moving away from an advertorial-based style toward a more traditional television show format. This fall, Resort TV is producing its first 45minute entertaining, informational television show that tells resort guests everything they need to know about Whistler.

Inspired by travel shows such as Lonely Planet and Pilot Guide, the new show format will create a conversational, fun and entertaining atmosphere in which the viewer feels that they are learning about a variety of choices and the ‘inside edge’ on what’s available in this town. Local merchants are invited to become part of the content by letting the hosts introduce and endorse their businesses in a dynamic and interesting way.

Don McQuaid, President of Resort TV is very excited about the new direction the station is taking: “Not only will this new format be more entertaining, but thanks to lower production costs, we are also able to offer small business in Whistler lower rates”.

Resort Television Network Expands to Banff
Pique Newsmagazine (October 11, 2002)

Whistler Resort TV, channel 2 on the Whistler Cable system, is marking its first anniversary by crossing the Rockies and becoming a network. Banff Resort TV comes to the airwaves of Banff and Canmore, Alberta on Nov. 1. Don McQuaid, president of Whistler-based Resort Television Network, said Banff Resort TV will provide visitors to the Alberta resort the same sort of comprehensive resort information as Whistler Resort TV. Airing on channel 12 of the Monarch Cable system, Banff Resort TV will provide dining, nightlife, activities, weather and ski reports, shopping and special event programming.

The network expansion will give RTN a combined annual audience of more than 7 million resort guests in the Whistler and Banff areas. McQuaid also announced that RTN has brought on Sean Brawley as director of business development. With 11 years of experience as a restaurant operator and franchise owner. Brawley’s strengths are in building relationships with customers and staff and designing and implementing franchise models. He also has a background in Web site design.

While Banff Resort TV gets up and running for its first season, Whistler Resort TV will be refining its programming this winter to include hosted shows that will lead resort guests on an informative tour of Whistler. Jamie Maw, senior food writer for Vancouver Magazine, will be touring Whistler’s finest restaurants while Judy Szabo, arts and fashion columnist for the Whistler Question, will be focusing on Whistler’s shopping experiences.
Brawley said the addition of Maw and Szabo marks a change in programming, away from strictly commercial loops to hosted information segments.
A weekly update of Whistler’s nightlife scene, What’s On In Whistler, will also return for the winter, starting December 5.

A recent survey conducted by Custom Fit Communications Group found Whistler Resort TV to be the most frequently viewed media source of the multi-day Whistler visitor. According to the survey, 86 per cent of resort guests will turn to channel 2 on more than three occasions during their stay in Whistler.

Whistler Market

Station Plans Auditions For Local TV hosts
The Question (Wednesday, May 4, 2005)

Whistler Resort TV is searching for locals who can embrace the zaniness of Lonely Planet Guru Ian Wright while sharing their passion for Whistler in front of a camera as television hosts. “No experience is necessary, but you must have an ability to be on camera with an energy that is appealing to viewers,” said Jacki Bissillion, Resort TV vice president, adding that a local flare is a must.

Resort TV is in the process of a complete makeover under the talent of filmmaker Rebecca Wood-Barrett, who will help aspiring hosts find their inner-TV stars. The station will change from its previous ad-based format into a lively Pilot-guide-like travel show.
Auditions, which take place next Wednesday (Sept. 24), operate in a casual manner outside, rain or shine, at the Town Plaza gazebo, where prospective stars-to-be will enjoy two, 30 -second moments of fame...
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Catch Big Air – On Air!
Press Release - January 11th, 2005

Resort TV, Whistler’s televised source for visitor information, is proud to offer snowboarding fans the opportunity to catch the best riders in the world compete in the FIS Snowboard World Championships as it is happening

For the first time in Whistler event history, viewers will be able to tune into Resort TV on channel 2 for daily FIS Snowboard World Championship highlights. Each day, Resort TV will broadcast a ten to twelve-minute highlight show that will be repeated once every hour. The segment will give viewers an inside look at the event with athlete interviews and features plus highlights from the McDonald’s Rail Jam, Nissan Snowboard Cross, The Province Big Air, and the TELUS Parallel Slalom and GS.

Jacki Bissillion, Resort TV’s General Manager and Vice President is delighted to be carrying the event coverage, "It is exciting to able to give Whistler viewers, for the first time ever, a chance to experience all of the action from the comfort of their hotel suites and living rooms. As a local myself, I cannot wait to tune in see the best in the world compete in Whistler. One might even say this is a prelude to what's to come in 2010!" Resort TV will also carry daily event listings and updates so viewers know where to catch the action throughout the resort.

About Resort TV Network (RTN): RTN started broadcasting on channel 2 as “Whistler Resort TV” four years ago. In Whistler, Resort TV has an annual viewer ship of more than 2 million resort visitors and residents and is available in 98% of Whistler Hotels including the new Four Seasons Resort. The Network has expanded to Canada’s top resorts including Banff & Canmore, Panorama, Fernie, Tremblant and select resorts in Ontario. Resort TV broadcasts resort information such as current village & alpine temperatures, snow reports, 3 day and long-term weather forecasts, daily road closure information, entertainment, event and movie listings.


It’s Daffodil time in Whistler
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
 
Businesses urged to buy flowers to support cancer research Businesses are being challenged by Resort TV employees to decorate their stores, restaurants, hotels and offices with the most daffodils the week of March 17 to 20 to show their support for the Canadian Cancer Society. “We encouraging businesses to decorate their workplace or to put together a team table (to sell flowers for the charity),” said event organizer Jacki Bissillion of Resort TV. “Whistler Real Estate always has a great time and dresses up in hats and boas. The Fire Department brings out their trucks. We want people to come out and have some fun for a good cause.” Last year, w and her team sold more than 6,000 flowers, raising more than $12,500 through corporate and individual sales.


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Whistler Resort TV approaches Sell-Out
Pique Newsmagazine - May 4, 2004

Whistler Resort TV, channel 2 on the Whistler Cable system, is approaching the maximum number of advertisers that can fit on its 60 minute broadcast loop. With just over one year in operation, this is an unexpected and thrilling early achievement.
Currently, more than 80 Whistler businesses have chosen to reach resort visitors through a full-motion professionally produced advertorial on Whistler Resort TV. The introduction of hosted segments such as Jamie Maw’s Fine Dining Review, Judy Szabo’s Retail and Art Tour and Angela Moore’s What’s On in Whistler segment have played an integral role in this achievement.

Feedback from new advertisers, such as Zen Sushi, Wildwood Café and Amos & Andes has been extremely enthusiastic. Zia Jamal, Director of Zen Sushi, said that his customers are telling him they are there because they saw his ad on TV.
A new hosted segment with Ross Rebegliati featuring adventures and activities such as Whistler Bungee, Ziptrek, Canadian Snowmobiling and Cougar Mountain Adventures is set to be on air before the end of January.


In an effort to reach the goal of selling out the last 10 minutes of ad space by the end of their second season, WRTV will be offering free ad productions and include a free month of broadcasting to businesses who sign on for the last 3 months of the winter season. Sean Brawley, Director of Business Development, says that this should attract those last few desired customers by making it cheaper than ever for them to get started in Television Advertising. A recent survey conducted by Custom Fit Communication Group found Whistler Resort TV to be the most frequently viewed media source of the multi-day Whistler visitor. According to the survey, 86% of resort guests will turn to channel 2 on more than three occasions during their stay in Whistler.

While Whistler Resort TV is having a record-setting season, it’s newly launched station in Banff, Resort TV Network, is also seeing much success. Banff’s Resort TV Network officially launched on channel 12 in Banff and Lake Louise resorts on November 1st, 2002. With little more than 3 months on the air, already, more than 20 advertisers are aboard.