DCPR Blog

INDUSTRY INSIDER |
MARKETING: SHAWNA OLSTEN, NATIVE SHOES

For this Industry Insider interview we had a chat with one of our favourite marketing and branding experts, Shawna Olsten. A former Canadian Marketing Director for Roxy/Quiksilver, Shawna became the Marketing Director for Native Shoes at the brand’s inception. Not only is she one of the best in the game, her Lil Kim hip hop karaoke performance can’t be beat. So without further ado, may we present Ms. Shawna Olsten.

Was a career in marketing a natural progression for you, or was it something you always considered as a career path?

Making the move into marketing was a choice and I remember clearly what sparked the decision. In 2001 BMW released a series of short movies called ‘The Hire’. I was so inspired by the approach they took to branding. I knew I needed to be involved in that kind of forward thinking.

BECAUSE IT’S FRIDAY! |
DISPARATE YOUTH - SANTIGOLD [THE 2 BEARS REMIX]

We’re getting amped to check out Trouble Andrew (who just happens to be a Native Shoe ambassador) open up for Santigold this weekend in Vancouver. And we’re kicking it all off with The 2 Bears remix of Santigold’s “Disparate Youth”. Dance party!

Happy Friday!

FBOMB TRADING INC. |
FALL/WINTER 2012 MEDIA PREVIEW

This week we had the pleasure of hosting an exclusive media preview event with FBOMB Trading Inc. Our press pals enjoyed a sneak peak look at upcoming Fall/Winter 2012 collections from brands like: Instance Socks, Native Shoes, Urbanears and Molami headphones, Generic Surplus and L*Space Swimwear!

Guests snacked on Cartem’s mini donuts, picked up some fun swag and chatted with musician and Native Shoes brand ambassador Trevor ‘Trouble’ Andrew.

Check out our Instagram page for more shots from our great week at Dela Cruz PR!

LIFETIME COLLECTIVE |
PLAID MAGAZINE SPRING/SUMMER 2012

Plaid Magazine’s newest issue has arrived with some fabulous editorial spreads for Spring. We were please to see that Lifetime Collective’s Mercer striped crew neck pullover made the cut for fashionable finds.

Available on newsstands across Canada

GENERIC SURPLUS |
VIDEO: ‘ROADSIDE ATTRACTION’

What do space portals, the ying-yang symbol and a psychedelic tee-pee have in common? Everything if you’re artist, Steven Harrington.

Last month, Generic Surplus, The Ace Hotel and Swim Club Palm Springs and Harrington launched a three-way collaboration inspired by space, time, balance and graphic elements found in the California desert during both Coachella weekends.

Watch and listen as Harrington explains the inspiration behind the mural and why Generic Surplus and The Ace were the perfect vehicle to realize his vision.

BECAUSE IT’S FRIDAY! |
HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY SINGS - TASHAKI MIYAKI

Have you heard of Tashaki Miyaki yet? The boy-girl duo from LA recently caught our ear with their dark and dreamy rendition of Father John Misty’s ‘Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings’. We can see why they’re being touted as the female Jesus and Mary Chain - and we love it.

Enjoy! And as always… happy Friday!

LIFETIME COLLECTIVE |
SOPHIA DANAI SUMMER EDITORIAL

Lifetime Collective has teamed up with Vancouver based singer/songwriter Sophia Danai for a fun summer shoot featuring pieces from the Women’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection (available for sale in select retailers across Canada and online)

We adore photographer, Kin Chan’s, dream-like aesthetic of the shoot. The entire editorial has been published in Sophia’s self produced online magazine, Wishing Well (Issue 4)- which also features a Q & A with Lifetime’s women’s designer Jude Feller.

Download Sophia’s recently released single “Money” here: (it’s free!)
http://sophiadanai.com/track/money

The perfect song to start off the long weekend!

URBANEARS |
PLATTAN DENIM EDITION

We are loving the newest addition to the Urbanears headphones family - the unique, never before seen Plattan Denim Edition headphones! Made from real denim fabric, Urbanears reinvents a traditional style concept, while continuing to make music wearable.

Just like your favourite pair of jeans, Plattan Denim will sustain a relaxed look over time, giving the headphones a standout, fashionable look.

These amazing headphones will be available July 15, 2012 at select retailers across Canada.

OBAKKI |
FEATURED IN BISOUS MAGAZINE EDITORIAL

Check out this editorial in the premiere issue of Bisous Magazine, featuring the Beatrix cropped blazer and high waisted Finn shorts, as well as the off-white tank from Obakki’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

NATIVE |
THE SUMMER SANDAL SHIMMY CONTEST

For Summer 2012, Native has debuted two new sandal silhouettes - The Paolo, a unisex classic flip-flop design, and The Blanca, a women’s t-strap silhouette.

To introduce your summer feet to sandals by Native shoes, check out the The Summer Sandal Shimmy video, inspired by legendary director and choreographer Busby Berkeley. The Shimmy features the new collection in the midst of a shimmying synchronized dance routine. You’ll have to watch to learn the moves!

Why?

Because Native wants to send you away on a three night/four-day all-inclusive getaway for two at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa! The winner will get to enjoy the propertyʼs new Xcalacoco Experience for an authentic cultural Mayan adventure that celebrates 2012 and the beginning of a new era.

For more information on the sandal collection, film and contest, visit the Native Facebook page for details on how to boogie, twirl and do the watusi- all the way to the beach!

INDUSTRY INSIDER |
MEDIA: SASHA TONG, ETALK

For this week’s Industry Insider we caught up with eTalk’s ultra stylish fashion producer, Sasha Tong. Proving her professional drive, Sasha is also a weekly personal advice and style columnist for LaineyGossip.com. This Vancouver-born, Toronto-based media pro chatted with us about her path to success, her career highlights and a recent desire to wrap herself in tuna sashimi.

How did you start out in your career?

I love television. I love watching it. I love hating it. I love talking about it. And when I was young I knew that one day I wanted to learn how to make it. While I adore Vancouver it wasn’t the place for this couch potato to chase those kinds of dreams, so I packed up and moved to London, England where I got an internship in the movies department at MTV UK. It was the BEST experience. You can’t reap till you sow – so for people starting out in the industry don’t snob out or underestimate the importance of an unpaid internship. It’s a grind and you will live on a diet of instant noodles, but if you’re really good at what you do, then the pay off is worth it.

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