
#SHOPSMALL: SO.DA AND TWITTER TEAM UP WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS CANADA TO SPOTLIGHT
SMALL BUSINESSES
Touring Four Local Treasures, HGTV Canada's Sebastian Clovis Hosts the Original Series, Energizing Canadians to Shop Local
Available @AmexCanada's Twitter Handle and on the Global TV App
For Immediate Release
TORONTO, July 29, 2021 - For a second year, so.da and Twitter team up with @AmexCanada to spotlight locally-owned business and the people that power it for a brand new collection of stories. Created in support of American Express Canada's #ShopSmall program, a national advertising campaign, backed by a Cardmember offer, the campaign and accompanying series, encourages Canadians to get behind their local small businesses. The four-part series, produced by so.da, sees HGTV Canada's Sebastian Clovis meet the owners behind the businesses that are the backbone of their communities and energizes viewers to #ShopSmall. The first two episodes are available now on @AmexCanada's Twitter handle and the Global TV App.
We're so proud to be joining forces again with Twitter and American Express Canada to highlight the extraordinary small businesses that boost communities across Canada, said Dervla Kelly, Senior Vice President of Marketing and so.da, Corus Entertainment. With the addition of host Sebastian Clovis, each episode dives deeper into the evolution of each merchant's story, further showcasing their culture and passion, while underscoring the importance to #ShopSmall.
Now more than ever, Twitter is where people come to discover and learn about small businesses in their communities, said Michael Palombo, Head of Entertainment, Twitter Canada. In addition to distributing American Express Canada's #ShopSmall program again this year, Twitter is also providing Brand Workshops to all merchants featured in the series through a 60-minute training and onboarding session.
Shop Small is about supporting the small businesses that help shape our neighbourhoods, said Lauren Dineen-Duarte, VP of Communications at American Express Canada. This video series showcases the special relationship that business owners have with their communities, and it's inspiring to see not only their passion for what they do, but the way people have come together for them.
The locally diverse businesses showcased in #ShopSmall include:
Portland Market (@PortlandMarketC)
Episode available here
With more and more people making their homes a sanctuary; Toronto's Portland Market, has become a one-stop small business shop for anyone interested in plant design, botanical arts and nature. The storefront is alive with lush greenery, which research suggests helps boost mental and physical health. With a wide variety of plant life to choose from, Portland Market does not stop at plants, they also offer food, gifts, candles, decorative pots and lifestyle items - many locally made and sourced. In this episode, owner, Irene Hickman, discusses the shop's dedication to community and how it's helping people cultivate a love for nature through plants.
Cumin Kitchen (@CuminToronto)
Episode available here
With luxe cushions, sultry curtains and a bright atmosphere, Cumin Kitchen is a cozy spot for lunch or a romantic dinner destination. Located on Toronto's bustling Danforth Avenue, this Indian restaurant has an eclectic menu of authentic, fresh and delicious food. From the local spices to the neighbourhood flowers that delight the space, co-owners Krishna Gaudel and Chef Phanindra Acharya ensure care, love and local is celebrated. Gaudel and his team welcome customers like family and strive to deliver great service to the community. In this episode, Sebastian heads into kitchen and learns why this authentic cuisine is a staple within the community.
Krave Coffee (@KraveCoffee)
Episode available August 3
Krave Coffee is much more than their name would suggest offering their own line of organic cold pressed juices as well as fresh baked goods, mouth-watering sandwiches, organically refreshing salads and a variety of vegan desserts. This specialty coffee shop supports local businesses, and uses locally roasted beans and products. With an interior proudly decorated with Canadiana and a large welcoming patio, Krave Coffee has become a true community hub just north of Toronto's downtown core, creating an inclusive and safe environment for all. In this episode, owner Calay Hall, gets creative as she puts Sebastian to work behind the counter.
Oceah Oceah (@OceahOceah)
Episode available August 10
Upon arriving at Oceah Oceah, it becomes clear that any experience here becomes an adventure and unique personal journey. Founded by First Nations sisters Jenifer, Sharon and Lana, the mission of this standup paddle boarding small business is to connect with all people and build a community on Toronto's waterways. When paddling up the Humber River with Oceah Oceah, the sounds of the traffic and noise fade away and nature reveals itself, providing a sense of calm and tranquility, without ever leaving the city. Jumping into the water for this episode, co-owner Jenifer Rudski, paddleboards with Sebastian along the Humber River, teaching him about the history of the traditional Indigenous waterway as he attempts to maintain his composure when challenged to a headstand.
-30-
About so.da
so.da is a full-service, specialized social digital agency offering strategy, community management, content production, analytics and social listening, talent and influencer integration. In addition to managing Corus' vast portfolio of brands in the social space, including Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Global TV, Slice and W Network, so.da works with many of Canada's leading brands to support their social strategy and content production. The agency's deep understandi
Most recent headlines
06/10/2025
France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
15/06/2025
July 2025 in Dublin, Berlin, Amsterdam & London
Photo: Thea Martre
Music Production for Women (MPW) have announced that they will be running a series of fo...
15/06/2025
Composer/producer launches free virtual instruments
Sulcata Sound is the latest venture of Jason Graves, a two-time British Academy Award-winnning composer,...
14/06/2025
NEW YORK Pluto TV and the All Womens Sports Network have launched a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) AWSN channel in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and the Nor...
14/06/2025
NEW YORK and CINCINNATI E.W. Scripps has announced a new, multiyear agreement with the WNBA that will continue Ions regular-season coverage of the league on Fri...
14/06/2025
WASHINGTON The National Association of Broadcasters highlighted the hidden importance of spectrum in the production of major sporting events and described wha...
14/06/2025
WASHINGTON Sunsetting ATSC 1.0, expanding business opportunities for NextGen Broadcast and increasing international adoption of the ATSC 3.0 standard were top o...
14/06/2025
SAN FRANCISCO Samba TV and Acxiom have announced that they will dramatically expand their longstanding relationship....
14/06/2025
July 2025 in Dublin, Berlin, Amsterdam & London
Photo: Thea Martre
Music Production for Women (MPW) have announced that they will be running a series of fo...
14/06/2025
San Francisco State University's School of Cinema Uses Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton June 13, 2025
0 Comments
More than 40 Blackmagic Design came...
14/06/2025
Boris FX Mocha Pro Adds New AI Tools To Tackle VFX Tasks Fast
Jessie Electa Petrov June 13, 2025
0 Comments
The 2025.5 release helps artists work more...
14/06/2025
AJA Debuts DRM2-Plus Mini-Converter Frame at InfoComm 2025
Brie Clayton June 13, 2025
0 Comments
Next-gen frame addresses diverse rackmount needs wit...
13/06/2025
(L-R) Lindsay Utz, Michelle Walshe, and The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere of Prime Minister at Eccles T...
13/06/2025
Photo credit: Atsushi Nishijima
If you're a true lover of rom-coms, chances...
13/06/2025
Pure Drama and Fierce Rivalries set to dominate the world's most iconic spor...
13/06/2025
Johannesburg, 12 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...
13/06/2025
ABILENE. Texas A severe storm knocked down the tower and severely damaged the news studio and main facility of Sinclair-owned KTXS here on Sunday, June 8....
13/06/2025
Berklee's Music Business/Management Department Recognized by the Music Biz A...
13/06/2025
WASHINGTON The ATSC, the Broadcast Standards Association, honored veteran technologist Aldo Cugnini and Clarence Hau, Senior Vice President of Standards, Policy...
13/06/2025
(Editor's note: The 2025 UFL Championship Game between the D.C. Defenders and Michigan Panthers kicks off Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m. Eastern. The game wil...
13/06/2025
New iPad/iPhone synth App announced
Following on from last year's release of Gradient Synth - which reached #6 on the App Store's Paid Music charts ...
13/06/2025
LONDON Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that HBO Max will launch direct-to-consumer in multiple new countries this July as the streamer becomes available in...
13/06/2025
AI voice transcription and captioning platform Verbit has added a new feature to its Captivate ASR solution the ability to identify specific features in automat...
13/06/2025
WASHINGTON Federal Communications Commission member Anna Gomez has wrapped up two weeks in California visiting broadcasters, television studio executives, enter...
13/06/2025
WASHINGTON The U.S. House of Representatives voted mostly along party lines to approve a rescission package that would cancel $9.4 billion in previously approve...
13/06/2025
At InfoComm 2025, AJA Video Systems announced DRM2-Plus, an intuitive, high-capacity 3RU frame that can neatly house up to 24 AJA Mini-Converters. Tailored to s...
13/06/2025
Cinema advertising leader to leverage AOS and suite of AI-enabled solutions to optimize forecasting, yield management, and streamlined ad sales and operations a...
13/06/2025
Manfrotto has launched the ONE Hybrid Tripod, a new support system designed specifically for professional content creators working with mirrorless cameras acros...
13/06/2025
Leading video software provider, Synamedia, today announced that its Media Edge Gateway (MEG), an ATSC 3.0 software-based IRD, now supports Device Security requ...
13/06/2025
LiveU, the global leader in live IP-video contribution, production and distribution solutions, is deepening its commitment to the German-speaking market with th...
13/06/2025
Chaos, the leader in architectural visualisation software, today announces Chaos Corona 13, giving archviz designers new ways to add eye-catching style and flai...
13/06/2025
PALI's Nena Music Video Shot with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton June 12, 2025
0 Comments
Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K and DaVinci Resolve Studio b...
13/06/2025
OddBeast Powers Up iRobot's Newest Roombas with Suite of CGI Launch Assets
Brie Clayton June 12, 2025
0 Comments
The motion design and production ...
13/06/2025
On Chick Coreas Birthday, a Newly Uncovered Archival Release The Visitors, composed by Corea and performed by vibraphonist Gary Burton and pianist Kirill Gers...
13/06/2025
In fulfilment of a recommendation by the Government's Expert Advisory Commit...
13/06/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Backblaze's Gleb Budman Talks Products, Partnerships, and the ...
13/06/2025
SVG Sit-Down: DAZN's Walker Jacobs Calls Streaming the FIFA Club World Cup ...
13/06/2025
New Sponsor Spotlight: Vecima Networks' Paul Strickland on How Improving QoE...
13/06/2025
Pitch Perspective: Where's Next for Specialty Cameras in Soccer? Leaders from Sky Austria and ACS discuss the possibilities of camera placement pitchside B...
13/06/2025
Premiership Rugby Final 2025: Vintage clash between Bath and Leicester gets full...
13/06/2025
Premiership Rugby Final 2025: TNT Sports gears up for Bath vs Leicester battle w...
13/06/2025
NCAA Men's College World Series: ESPN Adds Two-Point SupraCam, Invests in Ne...
13/06/2025
New FSWX signal and spectrum analyzer with novel architecture overcomes limits o...
13/06/2025
Apple today announced the addition of iPad to Self Service Repair, providing iPad owners with access to repair manuals, genuine Apple parts, Apple Diagnostics t...
13/06/2025
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today previewed iOS 26, a major update that brings a beautiful new design, intelligent experiences, and improvements to the apps use...
13/06/2025
At Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple unveiled Apple Games, an all-new destination designed to help players jump back into the games they...
13/06/2025
Industrial AI isn't slowing down. Germany is ready.
Following London Tech Week and GTC Paris at VivaTech, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang's Europea...
12/06/2025
In 2018, Spotify launched Heart & Soul, a mental health initiative developed to ...
12/06/2025
50 Years Strong: SBS and NITV Supercharge NAIDOC Week 2025 in a joint 50th celeb...