The City of Pickering is strategically located as the eastern gateway to the Greater Toronto Area. Facing the challenges of a growing city, TD Graham + Associates was engaged to develop a series of brand initiatives, including a brand alignment guide, plus marketing materials for their City Centre, newsletters and Economic Development collateral.

“Under the guidance of TD Graham + Associates, the City has now implemented a cohesive set of brand guidelines, aligning all departments and all materials with the City of Pickering corporate brand. The Corporate Brand Guidelines are clear, easy to implement and allow each department a degree of creative input while still protecting the corporate brand image.”
Catherine Hodge, Senior Coordinator, Business Development & Marketing, City of Pickering

416 Book Still Available!

North Grenville - A book of historic and economic significance to Grenville County is still available. The Four-Lane Comes to North Grenville - How they built the Veterans Memorial Highway published by Kemptville-based company Habit Five Publishing, is available by special order (see contact, below).

For two years before the Highway was officially opened in 1999, the North Grenville home-educating family of Tom Graham and Jeanne Lambert - with their then 13-year-old son, Theo - documented the construction process of the new highway 416. From the surveyors’ stakes to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, this book tells how a modern four-lane is built.

The complex planning and construction process is told in a simple way that is easy for readers of all ages to follow. Artist Linda Myers’ simple black-and-white illustrations are the perfect complement to the text. Accompanying the main story are side-bars filled with construction trivia and interesting historical facts.

In addition, a final section includes comments by local residents affected by the new highway. These thoughtful comments paint a picture of a growing, caring community literally at a crossroads - looking to the challenges the future will bring, while striving to preserve its rural qualities.

The book has received rave reviews. Ottawa Valley journalist Tom Van Dusen says the book is "Charming and practical. A tremendous family feat...and a fun read to boot!" Joe Morin of the Kemptville Advance feels that "Parents and kids will enjoy this book. It works for everyone." For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Worried about the long-term effects of over-use of water? Looking for ways to make a difference - think globally - act locally? Got a teenager who spends too much time in the shower?

The handy steps listed below are from a new book called “How to take a 3 minute shower...and other things one person can do to conserve water” , by the family of local author Theo Graham. Theo recently won first place in the Royal Canadian Legion’s Regional Public Speaking contest for his speech on the same topic. Now, a book published by Habit Five Publishing is available for those seeking to gain a greater awareness of some of the things a family or individual can do to make a real difference, right now, right at home.

For instance, the book explains that while people in developing countries might use only 6 litres of water per day for all of their needs - including drinking - the average person in Canada and the US uses 350 - 400 litres of water every day for their domestic needs!

By using a low-flow shower head, for example, and taking shorter showers, a family of four could save up to 250,000 litres of water every year! Other tips, facts and pointers are listed, as well.

Using simple graphics to illustrate each point, the book is a good reminder that conservation - especially water conservation - is something we should ALL pay attention to, and that there is always something we can do about it. Instead of just reading about it, you can act on it.

Here’s how Theo’s family does it at their place. (Send these tips to someone you know!)

How to Take a 3-Minute Shower - by Theo Graham

First of all, Be Prepared, Move Quickly, Stay Focused!

Step #1 Get your soap, shampoo, and towel ready
Step #2 Undress; turn the shower on
Step #3 Check temperature, adjust, and get in
Step #4 Get hair wet. That will get the rest of your body wet, too. And remember: Move Quickly!
Step #5 Shampoo hair first, (using 2 in 1, shampoo & conditioner)?
Step #6 Soap up while it’s conditioning (use the time wisely)
Step #7 Rinse off: start with the hair, the rest of your body will rinse off in seconds
Step #8 Shut the water off. Don’t linger, you’re done!

© 2004 Theo Graham; excerpted from the book by Habit Five Publishing

The 36-page book is now available. Retails for $3 each plus shipping and GST. Quantity discounts available. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 1-866-4-HABIT-5 for more information.

Township of Ignace, Ontario

After six months of public consultation, design and development, the Township of Ignace launched their new brand, website and videos a few weeks ago to much fanfare.

What's been impressive about working with the people of Ignace is their steadfast determination to make a change for the better. A number of strategies and programs are in place now to help move the community forward. Certainly, we'd like to think the new website, brand and other materials developed will help them on their way, but they - the council, staff and townspeople - are the ones who must welcome visitors and investors to explore their possibilities.

Check it all out here.

Located north of Toronto the Town of Georgina engaged TD Graham, in partnership with McSweeney & Associates, to develop an Investment Attraction Strategy for the Town’s Economic Development Department. As part of the project, we designed several marketing tools to help them reach their target audiences. These included kit folder, displays, community brochure and video as well an overall refinement to their brand logo.

Check out more here https://www.georgina.ca/doing-business/economic-development 

TD Graham + Associates worked with the Ottawa Valley Town of Renfrew to design and develop an update brand for the Town. Initiated by their Economic Development Department and working with stakeholder group representatives, a new brand logo was designed. The new brand was rolled out with the launch of their new website. Recently, we designed new roll up banners for the Town to use at events and trade shows. 

"Tom Graham, company principal, provided excellent guidance throughout the process and produced top quality graphics which translated into a final product that was professional, modern and captured the identity of the town. TD Graham + Associates has proven to me its ability to deliver a quality service and product that is on time and on budget. I look forward to working further with Tom and his team and therefore would not hesitate to recommend him for any marketing or communications project."

(Mr.) Kim R. Bulmer, AMCT, Town Clerk
Town of Renfrew

The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley had a vision to revitalize some public docking at Rideau Ferry on the Big Rideau Lake, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. They approached TD Graham + Associates to assist with this by creating artist concepts of the area. The concepts led the way to creating full-scale artwork for interpretive panels and signage - and the area has become a popular spot for visitors, and considered an economic success. We also helped with the promotion of their launch day, and have been involved with some other interpretive plaques and print material. 

Every community and organization needs an effective marketing and communications plan. How else will you know if you’re on the right track, reaching the right folks with the right messages? Here are five key steps to keep in mind when putting a plan together.

1. Do the research

Perform a situational analysis – meaning, conduct an audit or review of your current efforts. How’re you doing now: what works? What doesn’t? How are others doing it? Research such as surveys or brainstorming with staff and stakeholders can reveal gaps in your current marketing efforts, and uncover specific business needs – and opportunities. It’s best to define your key objectives at this stage, as well as identifying key audiences. Who do you plan to reach out to – and how do you want them to respond?

2. Have a story to tell

Start with identifying your key economic indicators: what are your community’s main strengths? What are the main benefits of your community’s location? Is it the resilient nature of your people? The stunning natural features? A location critical to regional development? What makes you remarkable? What is the ‘Why?’ about your community or organization?

3. Tell it well

Always lead with benefits, of course. People always want to know ‘What’s in it for me?’ But different audiences have different needs, and messages must be developed that will resonate with their intended targets. Having a strong brand is part of telling it well. It also means supporting the message with well-designed and creative materials, grabbing the attention of the recipient so they can see value in reading further. Do you need a tagline? Are headlines and text crafted to portray a compelling narrative? Is the brand presented consistently across various platforms?

4. Tell it often

Marketing studies show that responses increase when an integrated, coordinated, multi-channel approach is taken. You will likely be considering a combination of traditional and digital media. Beyond simply purchasing media space or posting social media entries, there needs to be a process for keeping the marketing program on the rails. Timing is everything.

5. Build the relationship

This is the punch line: creating and nurturing those contacts with which you expect to do business. Whether it is a resident or business, customer or prospect, an industry representative or influencer – each of these groups or individuals has their own reasons for feeling connected and affirmed. Usually, the greater the connection, the stronger the relationship – and the higher the satisfaction level for all.

Keeping these five steps in mind will help you develop an effective plan, and lead to the long-term relationships and investments you’re seeking.