Village Gamer

Village Gamer is giving away a copy of Ubisoft Vancouver’s Pure Football for the Xbox 360 (NTSC) and an official T-shirt. All you have to do to enter is hop over to our Facebook page and answer a very easy World Cup question, then wait for the random draw results this weekend. This game is rated E for Everyone, so entry is open to all those who have an NTSC 360. If you are still looking for something to do on this Canada Day, don’t forget to check out the Pure Football interactive display at Canada Place. You’ll find Ubisoft Vancouver set up in the BC Soccer World area along with loads of other great things to do and see before tonight’s fireworks celebration.

Vancouver’s Tangible Interaction has launched The Social Media Portal, a sleekly designed touch-screen kiosk that helps unlock the virtual potential of real world events. Where people socialize, congregate or gather in the real world, the Social Media Portal acts as gateway to the virtual world. It generates site-specific content — such as photos and accompanying messages — and uploads it instantaneously to existing social networks, custom web sites, or unique graphic creations.

Many campaigns begin online and climax with a real world event. The Social Media Portal makes it easy to creatively and conveniently take the excitement and spirit of the event back online. It’s the missing link in a campaign cycle that transforms brand experience from online to offline back to online.

The Social Media Portal extends the life and dimensions of a campaign at an event or for extended periods. Clients can install it at a dedicated site or house it in-store. They can use it to entertain and dazzle, inspire meaningful feedback from valued customers — or both. Tangible Interaction can customize the Social Media Portal to realize inventive branding experiences for its clients.

Currently the Social Media Portal takes high quality photos and instantly posts them with messages to a personal or brand account on Twitter, Facebook and Facebook Pages. People can also email photos and text. The elegant design and intuitive interface make for a fun experience.

Future versions will feature audio recording, custom photo overlays, face recognition (for dynamically positioning graphics on a portrait), on-site printing, green screen (for dynamically changing backgrounds), augmented reality, ability to tag content with text, vote, rank, and so on.

2K Sports today announced The REAL Hockey Experience on Wii™, an unprecedented NHL® 2K11 cross-country tour featuring NHL players, an array of fan-friendly giveaways and contests, and hands-on play with NHL 2K11 months before it is released exclusively for the Wii system. Traveling throughout the northern United States and Canada, 2K Sports will bring the excitement of NHL hockey to more than a dozen cities in a custom-designed NHL 2K11 recreation vehicle rigged with portable video game gear created especially for fans and gamers. The trail of pucks, prizes and playable demos will also feature appearances by NHL stars, including Vancouver Canucks® forward and NHL 2K11 cover athlete Ryan Kesler, Los Angeles Kings® defenseman Jack Johnson, New Jersey Devils® forward Travis Zajac and more.

“We really wanted to do something fun for this year’s NHL title to recognize our loyal fans across Canada and the United States,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “Hitting the road and enabling hockey heads hands-on time with NHL 2K11 before it ships, as well as giving them access to some of hockey’s premier players, is a great way to showcase our game and passion for the sport.”

2K Sports unveiled the NHL 2K11 recreational vehicle and tour experience at this year’s E3 Expo in Los Angeles. The tour then traveled to Las Vegas for the NHL Awards’ red carpet ceremony and later returned to Los Angeles for the NHL Entry Draft. The tour is now making its way eastward, stopping in cities rich with hockey tradition, including Vancouver, Calgary, Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Philadelphia and Boston (at this point I wonder why Montreal is not on the tour list…). It will conclude in New York for the celebrated launch of NHL 2K11 in September.

“The 2K Sports team really outdid themselves this year with The REAL Hockey Experience concept,” said Ryan Kesler. “When they asked if I would join them on the tour, I knew I wanted to be part of it. I’m really looking forward to meeting fans this summer and playing NHL 2K11. I hope they let me borrow it for a night!”

Fans can enjoy the tour’s party-ready gaming kiosks with playable demo copies of NHL 2K11 before the title’s release. The vehicle’s interior has also been redesigned to support multiple Wii units for on-the-road competition, as well as outside for additional pick-up-and-play action. Fans in each city are encouraged to stop by and compete for prizes, as well as submit their photos online.

The REAL Hockey Experience on Wii Canadian tour dates are:

Calgary: July 17-18
Vancouver: July 22-23
Edmonton: July 26-27
Winnipeg: July 30-31
Toronto: August 17-18
Ottawa:August 22-23

As I mentioned earlier this week, Hot Wheels also has a cross-country promotion happening this summer. Hot Wheels® and the FAZZT Race Team are excited to announce a partnership that is sure to race straight to the hearts of IndyCar fans across Canada. This July, at the Honda Indy Toronto and Honda Indy Edmonton, FAZZT Race Team driver and the only Canadian scheduled to race in all IndyCar races this year, Alex Tagliani, will be racing in a brand new Honda IndyCar, customized in Hot Wheels style. The car will be unveiled for the first time at the Honda IndyFest on July 14th at Yonge and Dundas Square in Toronto.

“Hot Wheels is about providing thrilling vehicle experiences to boys of all ages who are looking to fuel their passion for speed, power and performance,” says Melissa Chau, Hot Wheels Assistant Brand Manager for Mattel Canada. “We are so excited to see this vision brought to life through our partnership with the FAZZT Race Team and Canada’s very own Alex Tagliani.”

Tagliani’s racecar, fire suit and his pit crew’s uniforms will all be designed by the Hot Wheels creative team with an entirely new, custom design scheme that reflects Alex’s fearless and competitive driving style on the racetrack. “This year, we are thrilled to expand our presence on the track with this one-of-a kind racecar look that only Hot Wheels can provide,” says Chau.

“Some of my earliest and favourite memories of when I was a little boy are of racing with Hot Wheels cars,” says Tagliani, who has been racing professionally for 14 years. “Decades later, it’s a huge honour to have my very own life-size Hot Wheels racecar. I am looking forward to getting on the racetrack and crossing the finish line in my awesome Hot Wheels ride, in front of my fellow Canadians.”

The unveiling of the No. 77 Hot Wheels car will take place on July 14 at the Honda IndyFest event at Yonge and Dundas Square in Toronto. The Honda Indy Toronto takes place July 16-18, 2010 and the Honda Indy Edmonton the following weekend, July 23-25. Additionally, a 1:64 scale replica version of this limited edition car will be available for fans to purchase in 2011.

Also happening over the coming months is the Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Road Trip across Canada this summer. The life-size Hot Wheels® colour-shifting Ford Mustang and the Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Trailer will zoom across the country visiting over 50 festivals, camps and family events in various towns and cities. The Road Trip runs all summer long from July to September, giving Canadians of all ages a chance to change the colour of the car themselves. Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ cars use thermochromatic paint – a revolutionary colour memory technology that creates multi-coloured changes – adding a new element of excitement and surprise to the classic Hot Wheels® car.

The Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Road Trip kicked off in Toronto on Tuesday, June 29th – the last day of school – at Yonge and Dundas Square, where fans got a Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ Mustang. Kids who attend the launch event and Road Trip stops can change the colour of the car, play with Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™ toys and will also receive a special Hot Wheels® collector booklet, T-shirt and more.

“We are very excited for Canada to see the super cool life-size Hot Wheels® Colour Shifters™
Mustang in their town or city,” says Melissa Chau, Hot Wheels® Assistant Brand Manager for Mattel Canada. “These little cars have had a big impact on children and adults alike and it’s great to showcase the Hot Wheels® brand on the grassroots level and remind Canadians why generations have grown up playing with, trading and collecting Hot Wheels®”.

Hot Wheels® Road Trip 2010 Schedule (stops are subject to change)

Nova Scotia

· Bedford, Bedford Days – July 1
· Halifax, RBC Multicultural Festival – July 2
· Halifax, RBC Multicultural Festival – July 3

New Brunswick

· Miramichi, Rock ‘n’ Roll Festival – July 4

Quebec

· Montreal, K.I.D.S. Day Camp – July 7
· Montreal, Macdonald Day Camp – July 8
· Terrebonne, Zellers – July 10
· Brossard, Toys ‘R’Us – July 11

Ontario

· Kanata, Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – July 12
· Ottawa, Dovercourt Summer Day Camps – July 13
· Brockville, Brockville YMCA – July 14
· Toronto, Avenue Road Child Care – July 15
· Toronto, Ontario Place – July 16
· Thornhill, Toys ‘R’Us – July 17
· Mississauga, Toys ‘R’Us – July 17
· North York, Sears, Fairview Mall – July 18
· Mississauga, Wal-Mart, Square One – July 18
· Toronto, Wild Water Kingdom – July 19
· Toronto, Beaches Recreation Centre – July 20
· Toronto, Bob Abate Community Recreation Centre – July 21
· Toronto, LaserQuest – July 22
· Toronto, Toronto Zoo – July 23
· Burlington, Zellers, Burlington Mall – July 24
· Stoney Creek, Wal-Mart – July 24
· Brantford, Wal-Mart – July 25
· Sudbury, Science North: Dynamic Earth– July 28
· Sault Ste. Marie, Science North: Summer Science Camps – July 30
· Thunder Bay, Community Day Fort William Historical Park– August 1
· Toronto, Ontario Place – September 3 & 4

Manitoba

· Winnipeg, YMCA Winnipeg South Branch: Kinder Camp – August 4
· Winnipeg, Zellers, Kildonan Place – August 4

Saskatchewan

· Regina, The Queen City Ex – August 7
· Regina, The Queen City Ex – August 8

Alberta

· Edmonton, City of Edmonton Camps – August 11
· Calgary, Taste of Calgary – August 12 – 15
· Calgary, Toys ‘R’Us – August 15
· Calgary, TBD – August 17
· Calgary, Southland Leisure Centre Summer Camps – August 18
· Calgary, Village Square Leisure Centre – August 18

British Columbia

· Vancouver, TBD – August 22
· Vancouver, Douglas Park Community Centre Summer Camps – August 23
· Vancouver, False Creek Community Centre Summer Camps – August 24
· North Vancouver, North Vancouver Central Baseball Association – August 25
· Vancouver, TBD – August 26
· Vancouver, Toys ‘R’Us – August 29

Sony Computer Entertainment Canada (SCEC) has expanded its entertainment content by offering PlayStation®Network video delivery service to Canadian customers in English and French languages. PlayStation Network, available via the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, allows members to purchase or rent movies and purchase TV shows, including the latest new releases, straight to either device.

More than 1,000 movies and TV shows will be available in High-Definition (HD) or Standard Definition (SD), with movies available to rent from CA$3.99, movies to purchase from CA$9.99, and TV shows to purchase from CA$1.99. The movies are from major studios, distributors and content providers including 20th Century Fox, Alliance Films, E1 Entertainment, Maple Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), National Film Board of Canada, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Starz Digital Media, Universal Pictures, and The Walt Disney Studios. TV shows will be available from major cable networks and studios including 20th Century Fox, HBO®, Marvel, MTV Networks, NBC Universal, NHL, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and Starz Digital Media.

Notable movie titles available at launch include “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Crazies,” “Earth Keepers,” “From Paris with Love,” “Hot Tub Time Machine,” “Legion,” “Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” “Shutter Island,” “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” and “The Wolfman.” Noteworthy TV titles available at launch include “Astonishing X-Men,” “Breaking Bad” season three, “Jersey Shore” season one, Stanley Cup games, and “True Blood(sm)” seasons one and two. Additional content will be added on a weekly basis.

“The launch of PlayStation Network video delivery service in Canada reinforces our mission to have the PS3 system be the most content-rich entertainment platform in the living room. It’s also important that we provide our French and English-speaking customers with an easy way to access and enjoy their favorite new release movies or TV shows, whether at home or on the go,” said Stephen Turvey, General Manager for Sony Computer Entertainment Canada.

“Expanding into the Canadian market is a big win, marking continued momentum with our international expansion efforts. Our extensive industry relationships, coupled with technological leadership, serve to highlight our position as a top digital provider,” added Michael Aragon, General Manager, Global Digital Video Distribution and Operations for Sony Network Entertainment.

The video delivery service is fully integrated within PlayStation Network, using existing PlayStation Network log-in information and wallet system details. Customers can search for movies and TV shows by name, or can browse categories such as “New releases” and “Movies.” The PS3 system’s progressive downloading allows viewers to start watching a selection shortly after the download begins. They can also access certain games or other content on the PS3 system while the download is taking place.

To celebrate the debut of PlayStation Network video delivery service in Canada, customers who visit the store today through July 14 will receive a complimentary (one per household) download of “Charlie’s Angels.”

Domino’s Pizza Canada and Cellflare Inc. today announced the release of the Domino’s Pizza mobile application for Palm and Android devices. Available to download free in the Android Market and Palm® App Catalog, users can locate their nearest store by GPS or address and receive Domino’s Pizza mobile app, exclusive daily coupons and flyers specific to their location. Turn by turn directions are available for pick up, or the locations direct phone number is supplied to enable customer ordering.

Each Domino’s Pizza mobile application download will receive exclusive offer of $4.00 off a large pizza as a thank you, when purchased at regular menu price. The offers are valid at participating Ontario locations only and not valid with any other offer. The Regional Market Test is in Southern Ontario, bounded by Mississauga, St. Catherines and Kitchener.

“Mobile is a rapidly growing segment of our business, one that we expect to grow for years to come,” says John Popkey National Director of Marketing for Canada. “A major growth agent for our company over the last year has been online ordering in the digital space. Our mobile ecommerce website will be released in Q4 with the help of our parent company in the U.S. this will increase conversion as our customers have been requesting this convenience with our launch of email coupon offers in Q4 of 2009.”