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Toronto, Ontario – November 16, 2023 – Esteemed stylist and owner of John Steinberg and Associates hair salon, Benjamin Raine proudly presented the John Steinberg Community Service award on Sunday, November 12 at the Western Harbour Castle.

In 2003, Ben was introduced to John Steinberg, legendary hair stylist, mentor and renowned figure in his community. The two became close friends working together for nine years, before parting ways to pursue different career paths.

Over a decade later on August 31, 2011, John passed away, leaving behind the vibrant community he had built over his 52-year long career. Per John’s instructions, Ben was presented with his scissors to carry on his legacy. Following the pandemic, Ben returned to John Steinberg and Associates to help rebuild the salon and fulfil John’s wishes.

“Over the course of a decade, my journey has led me to unexpected places, on a path that was anything but linear but I’ve finally returned John’s scissors to their rightful place and know without a doubt that I’m where I’m supposed to be,” Ben explained after the event. “Presenting the award that honours my friend was the greatest privilege I’ve ever had.”

This event also marked the one-year anniversary of Ben’s decision to return to the salon, a pivotal moment in his career.

The John Steinberg Community Service award is presented each year to a hair professional or a salon that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to bettering their community through fundraising or events. This year’s recipient was the Aveda Institute of Winnipeg whose team donated 125 haircuts to underprivileged women in need, boosting their self-esteem, promoting personal care and enhancing their professional opportunities. This act of kindness fostered a sense of community connection, empowering marginalized women and raising awareness about the challenges they face.

The award, which carries the namesake of Ben’s salon commemorates the life, achievements and impact of John Steinberg on his community and celebrates Canadian salons that are actively working to better their own communities.

About John Steinberg and Associates:

Established in 1991 by the inimitable John Steinberg, the salon and the friendly culture it promotes, helped carve the path for what has become a truly iconic Toronto namesake. Today, Ben and his team continue John’s tradition with a mission to treat every patron like a friend and strive to offer a welcoming experience in a warm and comfortable space.

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Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

1.866.440.4034 | media@zenergycom.com

Toronto, Ontario – November 8, 2023 – Esteemed stylist and owner of John Steinberg and Associates hair salon, Benjamin Raine was confronted with circumstances so perfectly aligned, he couldn’t help but take them as a sign. For Mr. Raine, a Toronto film creative, this proved to be truer than he ever could’ve imagined.

In 2003, Ben was introduced to John Steinberg, legendary hair stylist, mentor and renowned figure in his community. John saw potential in Ben and took him under his wing as an apprentice. The two became dear friends working closely together for nine years, before Ben eventually left the salon to return to pursue hair in different mediums.

Over a decade later on August 31, 2011, Ben received the call that he’d been dreading for months. John Steinberg had passed away. That very night, per John’s instructions, Ben was presented with his scissors by his sister and daughter, to carry on his legacy. 

“A seemingly simple gesture to some,” Ben recalls, “but to me it was a symbol of his friendship and belief in me. It was the sign I’d been looking for.”

Following the pandemic, Ben returned to John Steinberg and Associates to help rebuild and carry on John’s legacy.

“So much shouldn’t have worked out that did,” reflects Ben on the journey that led him full circle. “It just seems like John had a hand in all this, and that everything has worked out for reasons bigger than me.”

Today, Ben’s salon is more than a place for hair transformations; it’s a hub for cultivating meaningful relationships, where clients can come to work remotely, connect with one another and feel like part of a community. A place that honours his friend, John.

About John Steinberg and Associates:

Established in 1991 by the inimitable John Steinberg, the salon and the friendly culture it promotes, helped carve the path for what has become a truly iconic Toronto namesake. Today, Ben and his team continue John’s tradition with a mission to treat every patron like a friend and strive to offer a welcoming experience in a warm and comfortable space.

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Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

1.866.440.4034 | media@zenergycom.com

PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES CANADIAN COMPANIES INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE FOR ACTUARIAL AND TOTAL REWARDS NEEDS

Montréal, Québec – October 25, 2023 – Normandin Beaudry, a leader in actuarial and total rewards consulting services, today announced that it has joined MBWL International (MBWL), an international joint venture between Barnett Waddingham, Milliman, and Lurse, as the fourth equal Joint Venture (JV) partner. This new partnership will enable Normandin Beaudry to extend services to Canadian companies with cross-border requirements.

“The Normandin Beaudry team is delighted to formalize our collaboration with MBWL. We are pleased to offer Canadian organizations international support with deeply rooted global partners. We have always been committed to delivering excellence to our clients, and we are now in a position to do so beyond our borders,” said Éric Montminy, President at Normandin Beaudry. 

“Having worked closely with the exceptional team at Normandin Beaudry for several years now, it’s incredibly exciting to now formalize our partnership and add them as an equal partner in MBWL. Their values fully align with ours – independence, thought leadership, and absolute client focus. We can only look forward to collaborating with Normandin Beaudry’s team of experts even more closely to continue our commitment to growth and excellent service for our clients globally,” said John-Paul Augeri, Managing Director and Global EB Consulting Leader at Milliman.

“Normandin Beaudry has been a strategic partner of MBWL’s for many years and this new JV strengthens this relationship. MBWL shares our dedication to excellence and aligns with Normandin Beaudry’s cultural goals of prioritizing independence and quality while consistently delivering exceptional value to our clients,” added Daniel Drolet, Senior Partner, Group Benefits at Normandin Beaudry.

Normandin Beaudry joins as an equal and independent partner alongside MBWL’s already strong, multinational presence across the UK, US, Germany, and over 30 other countries worldwide.

About MBWL International

MBWL International are independent global experts who provide innovative, strategic retirement and benefits consulting for multinationals of all sizes, everywhere they do business. The joint venture between Milliman, Barnett Waddingham, Lurse and now Normandin Beaudry brings together the experience and resources of these four market-leading businesses, comprising over 8,000 employees across more than 30 countries. With expertise in strategy, governance, actuarial and benefits consulting, M&A, administration, and employee engagement, MBWL provides seamless, consistent advice across organizations with a single point of accountability. No red tape, just results.

About Normandin Beaudry

Founded in 1992, Normandin Beaudry is a leader in actuarial and total rewards consulting services. From its offices in Montréal, Toronto, and Québec City, 350 employees serve clients across Canada in eight areas of expertise: Group Benefits, Pension and Savings, Pension Plan Administration, Investment Consulting, Compensation, Health, Performance, and Communication. 

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Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

media@zenergycom.com   

INDUSTRY VETERAN TO ACCELERATE AGENCY GROWTH IN FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

TORONTO, ON and MONTRÉAL, QC – October 24, 2023 – Zenergy Communications, an integrated multilingual marketing-communications agency, announced today that Francois Kalos has joined the company’s roster of experts as Senior Consultant, Investor Relations. With over 25 years of experience, Mr. Kalos will be a strategic and integral part of the agency’s capital market communications team.

“We’ve known Francois many years and worked with him on several projects. We are thrilled to have him join Zenergy as our lead IR consultant. He possesses a very strong knowledge of financial communications, extensive regulatory, corporate, and agency experience as well as an in-depth expertise in numerous industries, including mining, tech, and consumer products. These capabilities all serve to strengthen and further broaden our service offering ,” said Linda Farha, President and Founder of Zenergy Communications.

“By joining forces with Zenergy’s first-class team of experts, I’ll be in a position to extend the scope and quality of services provided to public companies to include design, social media, public relations, and crisis management. I have always focused on value creation, and Zenergy’s approach in working as an extension of organizations to maintain and grow stakeholder relationships to drive value is very much aligned with my goals,” added Francois Kalos.

CAPITAL MARKET COMMUNICATIONS

From developing full-scale investor relations (IR) programs to project-based strategic consulting on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), sustainability, and issue communications, Zenergy’s

team of seasoned IR specialists work as an extension of the client’s team to maintain and grow stakeholder relationships that drive value. Whether an organization is planning an upcoming IPO, needs to reevaluate its capital market communications plan, or is simply seeking help with day-to-day financial communications, Zenergy’s multilingual investor relations team can support their needs across North America. Download Zenergy’s IR Factsheet here for more information.

ABOUT ZENERGY COMMUNICATIONS

Founded in 2003 by multi-disciplined entrepreneur Linda Farha, Zenergy Communications is an award-winning integrated marketing-communications firm that excels at producing content, creative campaigns, and strategies for brands looking to grow their business. Zenergy services both national and international clients across a diverse range of industries including Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare Services, Technology, Entertainment, and Food & Beverage, from their offices in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and New York. From traditional marketing and PR to transformative digital campaigns and financial communications, Zenergy has been delivering bilingual end-to-end MARCOM solutions that drive impactful results for over 20 years. Learn more at www.zenergycom.com

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Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

media@zenergycom.com

Logroño, Spain, Wilmington, DE, United States and Toronto, ON, Canada – October 11, 2023 – Garnica, a leading global supplier of sustainable plywood solutions is pleased to announce the appointment of David Smith as President of its North American Division, effective September 1, 2023. David previously held senior positions at EGGER Group and Arclin USA before founding The David Smith Group, a sustainable building materials consulting firm, with a mission to revolutionize the construction technology landscape. Across a wide range of industries and leadership positions, he brings over 28 years of experience to the role.

“We are confident that David’s expertise in forging strong client relationships and driving innovation will undoubtedly propel the company to new heights,” stated Christian Michel, Garnica’s CEO. “Our commitment to the North American market and offering tailored solutions that not only meet but exceed customer expectations remains an integral part of our strategy in this next phase.” In an ever-evolving business climate, Garnica’s focus continues to be on agility and strategically adapting to North American market demand to ensure its customers receive the highest degree of personalized service.

“I am proud to be transitioning into this new role at Garnica during a time of remarkable expansion and progress,” said David Smith. “In addition to communicating the company’s focus on customer and market engagement which underscore their commitment to the North American market, I am eager to support their initiatives in sustainable industry practices.”

Garnica has been committed to developing sustainable and cutting-edge solutions in the manufacturing industry for over 80 years. The company is confident that under David’s leadership, it will remain at the forefront of industry trends and continue to seize emerging opportunities in North America.

David’s expertise lies in growth and innovation as well as leveraging technology to drive operational efficiencies and product development initiatives.

About Garnica

Garnica is a leading global manufacturer of premium, sustainable plywood. Its unwavering commitment to responsible forestry and the promotion of a circular economy has been integral to its identity since 1941. The company offers lightweight, durable plywood for a range of applications including furniture, housing, transportation, and interior design. With 1,200 employees across its seven European production centers, Garnica’s dedication to responsible forest management, quality products, and unwavering reliability makes it a trusted partner for businesses worldwide.

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INCREASES OF 3.6% FORECASTED FOR 2024

Toronto, Ontario,  September 5, 2023 – Normandin Beaudry, a leader in actuarial and total rewards consulting services, just unveiled the results of its 13^th annual Salary Increase Survey. Close to 700 organizations took part in this 2024 edition of the survey conducted by Normandin Beaudry’s experts. The results suggest that Canadian organizations are planning fairly substantial salary increases—albeit slightly lower than those of the last two years—with an average increase of 3.6% in 2024, excluding salary freezes.

“While a recession remains a possibility in the coming months, organizations are planning on granting increases in excess of 3% for a third year in a row,” said Darcy Clark, Senior Principal, Compensation at Normandin Beaudry.

HIGHLIGHTS

Additional increases are needed to stand out

In 2023, nearly half of organizations allocated an average additional budget of 1.3% on top of their usual salary increase budget. Normandin Beaudry’s survey shows that 43% of Canadian organizations plan to grant an average additional budget of 1.0% for the coming year. Securing supplementary budgets has been a trend among organizations in recent years, driven by the uncertain economic landscape and competitive job market. With these additional funds, organizations have more leeway to address the pressure brought on by labour shortage by making strategic adjustments throughout the year to retain employees in critical roles, differentiate the compensation of top performers, or accelerate the salary progression of certain employees.

Salary freezes remain low

Only 1% of organizations froze wages in 2023, however double that number intend to do so in 2024. These particularly low numbers are most likely due to the ongoing labour shortage and high inflation, as salary freezes usually range from 3% to 5%.

Sectors setting the pace

In Canada, organizations in the professional, scientific and technical services sector reported the highest actual salary increase budget of 4.8% for 2023, compared with an initial forecast of 4.2%.

For 2024, the following sectors are setting the pace with higher-than-average salary budget increases:

• Professional, scientific and technical services: 3.9%
• Real estate, rental and leasing: 3.9%
• High technology: 3.9%
• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: 3.8%
• Durable goods manufacturing: 3.8%
• Accommodation and food services: 3.7%

The current economic landscape and difficult job market conditions (low unemployment rate, labour shortage and possible recession) continue to put pressure on organizations. However, it should be noted that increases granted in 2023 are slightly lower than the initial forecasts, a sign that organizations are being cautious. This was not the case in recent years, as increases granted were higher to those forecasted. Despite forecasts for higher increases once again this year, companies would be wise to exercise caution, as salary increases represent a permanent increase in fixed operating costs.

Monetary and non-monetary components: A winning combination

Normandin Beaudry’s experts believe that striking the right balance of monetary and non-monetary components as part of their total rewards offering is what can help organizations stand out from the competition in more creative manner.

The interactive tool, with details by province, industry sector, type of organization and company size, amongst other data, is available here.

About Normandin Beaudry

Founded in 1992, Normandin Beaudry is a leader in actuarial and total rewards consulting services. From its offices in Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City, nearly 350 employees serve clients across Canada in eight areas of expertise: Pension and Savings, Pension Plan Administration, Investment Consulting, Group Benefits, Compensation, Health, Performance, and Communication.

About our Compensation Expertise 

Normandin Beaudry’s team of close to 40 compensation consultants is the largest in Canada. Through the sound and innovative use of data and technology, our versatile and creative experts provide their clients with unique and simple solutions that address their strategic and operational needs. For more details, visit https://www.normandin-beaudry.ca/en/areas-of-expertise/compensation/

Media contact:

Zenergy Communications

media@zenergycom.com 

While traditional TV has held the reins of advertising dollars for decades, the shift towards Connected TV (CTV) is quickly gaining market share. CTV refers to devices that are connected to the internet and allow users to stream shows, movies and music. Over the past few years, subscription-based streaming services like Netflix and Crave have started to reshape the entertainment landscape, promising a future where CTV surpasses the conventional TV model. As viewer habits shift, so too must the ways in which advertisers reach their target audience.

CTV is still establishing its reach and lacks those monumental live events like the Super Bowl or Academy Awards. However, streaming giants are already finding ways to adapt. Enter Amazon Prime and its strategic acquisition of NFL Thursday Night Football two years ago. This trend is set to persist, as more streaming services vie for the spotlight with high-profile programming.

For advertisers, the name of the game is adaptability. They need to be vigilant and constantly monitoring the changing technology and viewing habits of their prospects. As the pendulum of influence swings towards CTV, staying ahead of the curve means aligning with the dynamic shifts in tech and viewer preferences.

The journey of CTV’s potential is just beginning, and the destination promises a content revolution begging the question to advertisers: will you be ready to ride the wave?