KPMG Survey Confirms Acceleration of Digital

KPMG’s fifth annual global Consumers and Convergence survey – “The Converged Lifestyle” – confirms the trend of accelerated pace of consumer adoption of new digital business models. The survey reveals both consistencies and anomalies in consumer preferences year over year – in online shopping, content, device use and mobile payments – all of which hint at new directions for the future of digital commerce and those who compete in the space, according to KPMG authors of the report. 


Key Canadian-specific highlights include: 23% of respondents used their mobile device at retail outlets to access coupons and one in six used their mobile to scan barcodes; when selecting a mobile operator, consumers were most influenced by the operator’s coverage (75%), quality of customer service (75%) and price (86%), rather than the availability of a specific device (60%); while 79% of respondents reported downloading an app to their mobile, 61% did not pay for any of them and 24% paid for only around one in four of their downloads; 32% said they had used some form of mobile banking in the past six months; almost a quarter of respondents had no landline telephone; and 51% store some level of personal information in the Cloud. 


Access the video or the complete survey

Colgate-Palmolive Reports Increased Sales

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) today reported worldwide Net sales of $4,172 million in fourth quarter 2011, an increase of 5.0% versus fourth quarter 2010. Global unit volume grew 4.0%, pricing increased 3.0% and foreign exchange was negative 2.0%. Excluding divested businesses, global unit volume grew 4.5%. The Sanex acquisition contributed 1.5% to sales and volume growth. Organic sales (Net sales excluding foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestments) grew 6.0%.

   
Hill's (13% of Company Sales)

Hill's Net sales grew 2.0% during fourth quarter 2011. Unit volume decreased 1.5%, pricing increased 3.0% and foreign exchange was positive 0.5%. Volume gains in Russia and Brazil were offset by declines in the U.S. and Japan. Hill's organic sales increased 1.5% during the quarter.

   

Hill's Operating profit increased 4% in fourth quarter 2011 to $152 million, or 27.0% of Net sales. This increase in Operating profit as a percentage of Net sales was due to a decrease in Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales, partially offset by a decrease in Gross profit as a percentage of Net sales. The decrease in Gross profit as a percentage of Net sales was due to higher raw and packaging material costs reflecting global commodity cost increases, partially offset by cost savings from the Company's funding-the-growth initiatives and higher pricing. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of Net sales due to lower advertising expenses as a percentage of Net sales.

   

Recent new product introductions contributing to sales in the U.S. include Science Diet Ideal Balance Canine, which combines natural ingredients with the power of advanced nutrition in one balanced package, Science Diet Savory Stew Canine, Science Diet Age Defying Feline (11 years plus), Prescription Diet y/d Feline Thyroid Health and the relaunch of Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Feline Bladder Health with evidence of improved efficacy and taste.

   

New pet food products contributing to international sales include reformulated Prescription Diet r/d Canine and Feline, the relaunch of Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Feline Bladder Health with evidence of improved efficacy and taste, Science Diet Mature Adult Light Canine and Feline, and reformulated Science Plan Adult Feline.

  

Read the entire report

PetMed Express announces 20% increase in Dividend

PetMed Express, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share on its common stock, compared to the $0.125 per share dividend that has been paid in prior quarters. The dividend will be payable on February 24, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 10, 2012. The Company intends to continue to pay regular quarterly dividends; however the declaration and payment of future dividends is discretionary and will be subject to a determination by the Board of Directors each quarter following its review of the Company's financial performance.

Founded in 1996, PetMed Express is America's Largest Pet Pharmacy, delivering prescription and non-prescription pet medications and other health products for dogs and cats at competitive prices direct to the consumer through its 1-800-PetMeds toll free number. 

Read Investor Information

CKC Calls on Members to Attend Anti-BSL Rally

As part of its mandate to oppose Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), the Canadian Kennel Club urges all members to show their support for Bill 16 by attending the 
Anti-BSL Rally on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at Queen's Park in Toronto. 

Bill 16, the Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, was introduced by MPP Randy Hillier (PC), Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, on November 30, 2011 -- backed by MPP Cheri DiNovo (NDP) Parkdale-High Park and MPP Kim Craitor (LIB) Niagara Falls -- and serves to revoke the breed-specific section of the Dog Owner's Liability Act (DOLA) in Ontario, enacted August 29, 2005.

For more information

P&G to Lay Off 1,600 and Head for Digital

Reality appears to have finally arrived at Procter and Gamble, the world's largest marketer, whose $10 billion annual ad budget has hurt the company's margins. P & G said it would lay off 1,600 staffers, including marketers, as part of a cost-cutting exercise. 

More interestingly, CEO Robert McDonald finally seems to have woken up to the fact that he cannot keep increasing P and G's ad budget forever, regardless of what happens to its sales.  He told Wall Street analysts that he would have to "moderate" his ad budget. This is coming from the man who increased P and G's ad spend by a staggering 24 percent over the two years ended October 2011, even though sales rose only 6 percent in the same period.

Read the entire article

.ca Will be Bilingual Soon

      Until now all websites in Canada have been unable to to have a truly French language website name but all that is about to change.  The Canadian Internet Registration Authority is working to allow French diacritical marks a year from now.  Finally even our internet will be available in both official languages.  For more information on this change and to see the challenges that current technologies may face with this change click here.

Android's share of tablet market jumps

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According to a report appearing on the BBC, the Android operating system's share of the global tablet computer market has risen sharply at the expense of Apple's iOS.

Android accounted for 39% of the market in the final three months of last year, up from 29% a year earlier, Strategy Analytics said. Apple's share fell to 58% from 68%.

Microsoft's share stood at 1.5%.

Shipments of tablets reached 26.8 million in the quarter, up from 10.7 million a year ago.

"Demand for tablets among consumer, business and education users remains strong," said Strategy Analytics' Peter King.

Apple shipped 15.4 million iPads between October and December. That compares with shipments of 10.5 million tablets using Android.

For 2011 as a whole, shipments hit 66.9 million, up from 18.6 million in 2010.

Read the BBC Story

An interview with Randy Valpy, Vice President and Managing Director, RSA Pet Insurance

Randy Valpy, the former head of Western Financial Insurance Company, is one of Canada's best known industry leaders. Recently he left Western Financial Insurance Company to take up the challenge of a newly created division of RSA. InfoStream caught up with Randy at RSA Canada's headquarters in Toronto:


InfoStream: Randy most of the industry has never heard of RSA. Who are they?

RV: RSA is a 300 year old Company with its global headquarters in the UK. It operates in 130 countries and is one of the largest underwriters of pet insurance in the United Kingdom usually just behind or just ahead of Petplan.


InfoStream: If we confine ourselves to the Canadian market for a minute, just how big is RSA?

RV: In Canada they have 3,500 employees and in 2010 generated over $2.2 billion in gross written premiums.


InfoStream: So why does RSA care about the pet insurance segment?

RV: First of all, pets is a segment of the financial services business with a very good opportunity for growth. Second, the existing players in North America own a small business that serves less than 2% of the pet families. Third, in other countries like the UK, pet insurance serves 10 times as many clients. Finally, RSA sees the opportunity to offer innovative services that will help grow the market. I believe this approach will be good for the entire industry. As others have said before, 'A rising tide lifts all boats!'


InfoStream: Some people don't understand RSA hiring a direct competitor, what is your response?

RV: Well, RSA has hired me to set up a pet insurance division. In my past life at Western/Petsecure, we built the largest pet insurance company in Canada. We grew Petsecure by 530% to own 59% of the Canadian market during my 10-year watch. At RSA, they believe I have the added benefit of moving outside the box to offer innovative approaches and services which was part of the attraction for me.


InfoStream: Randy, why do you see this as a big opportunity at this point in your career?

RV: First and foremost, this opportunity with RSA allows me to work where I live so that work/life balance is finally within reach. Second, I have always been attracted to the 'new thing'. Third, I was a founding member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association [NAPHIA] and I believe the challenge of pet health and declining vet visits can be addressed with innovative services and offerings. Finally, my vision for the industry is to see planned wellness become something every responsible pet family sees as important for their pets.


InfoStream: Western Financial Insurance Company underwrote products for President's Choice Financial, Canadian Automobile Association, Nestle Purina PetCare and Hudson's Bay Company among others. Will you be able to continue this type of development activity with RSA?

RV: That's a good question. I'm not prepared to set out our strategy just at this moment. However, with my knowledge of the industry and RSA's commitment to, and global knowledge of, the pet insurance industry, I plan to create an innovative pet insurance brand. I think we can leverage RSA's incredible strength and underwriting capability to bring on new partners and to once again build the largest pet insurance company in Canada!


InfoStream: Thanks Randy, may we visit with you from time to time to see how this unfolds?

RV: You bet! I would welcome the opportunity to continue this dialogue.

Williams takes the reins at Western Financial Insurance Company

New CEO appointed at Canada's Largest Pet Insurance Provider

Western Financial Group ("Western") President and CEO Scott Tannas announced that Glenn Williams has been appointed President and CEO of Western Financial Insurance Company ("WFIC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Western and Canada's oldest and largest provider of pet insurance under the Petsecure brand. The appointment became effective on January 20, 2012.

Mr. Williams has served WFIC since March 2010 as Vice President of Operations and, since May 2011, as Chief Operating Officer.  He replaces Randy Valpy, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.

"Glenn brings focus, depth and operational expertise to Petsecure.  In his new role, he builds upon a successful foundation of leadership and change management both here at Western and throughout his career," said Mr. Tannas. "Glenn's experience in shepherding WFIC through a time of rapid change while energizing and motivating his team has been impressive. WFIC and the Petsecure brand are well positioned for rapid growth, and Glenn's skills and leadership will help accelerate this progress."

Earlier in his career, Mr. Williams served in various CFO, VP and other leadership roles at Arnold Bros. Transport, the Winnipeg Free Press, Thomson Newspapers, and other leading firms.

A lifelong Winnipegger, Mr. Williams will continue to be based at the WFIC Winnipeg head office.  In late 2011 Western announced that the company will be moving into a new building near Winnipeg's Polo Park centre, where WFIC will be headquartered alongside Western's other Winnipeg-based operations.

About Petsecure pet health insurance and Western Financial Insurance Company

Petsecure pet insurance, the core brand of Western Financial Insurance Company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Financial Group. Petsecure is Canada's oldest and largest pet insurance provider with over 20 years of offering innovative pet insurance to Canadian pet owners. Petsecure has two unique pet insurance options to choose from; Petset which offers basic, value-priced coverage or Secure For Life™ which offers the most comprehensive coverage in Canada. Petsecure also offers dental coverage and special coverage including alternative treatments, behavioural therapy and medical devices. Petsecure is the only pet health insurance provider in Canada to offer their exclusive Secure For Life™ guarantee.

About Western Financial Group

Western Financial Group is a western Canada based, diversified, financial services company serving more than 600,000 customers. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in High River, Alberta. Western provides insurance, banking and investment products and services through more than 120 office locations, the internet (www.westernfinancialgroup.ca) and other distribution channels. With a skilled team of approximately 1,500 employees, and backed by the strong resources of its owners, Western is committed to building the strongest financial services company in western Canada. Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the sixth largest in the world.

For further information:

James Savage
Executive Vice President
Western Financial Group
(403) 336 3653 - mobile
James.Savage@westernfg.ca

IAB CANADA RELEASES NEW ONLINE AD STANDARDS

If you advertise online you need to read this!


The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) of Canada has released its new Online, Mobile + Tablet Ad Standards and Creative Specs for 2012. In coordination with IAB USA, IAB Canada worked to ensure the new standards align as much as possible with North American Standards + Guidelines, while still providing for Canadian-specific differences where needed. 


IAB Canada has also announced a new partnership with ADOPS Garage that will provide IAB Canada members with free access to ADOPS Garage’s new AdOps AdVisor Tool application that allows agencies and their design partners to pre-test online display ads for compliance with IAB Canada Standards. 

2011 was the Year of the Cat in every way!

Dr. Liz O'Brien,
Feline Advocate

One of the most successful initiatives ever to be conducted in the Canadian companion animal industry was completed in 2011.  

The Year of the Cat by the numbers: 

• Identification of unregistered cats surged beyond the program goal of 10,000 to 16,995; 
• Lost cat recoveries totaled 22,489; 
• The numbers of vaccinated, insured, spay/neutered and medicalized cats grew by as much as 18% in some communities; and,
• The Care for Cats campaign involved over 1,500 industry stakeholders and service providers in 93 primary communities and 118 secondary locales across Canada. 

Industry sponsors included Boehringer Ingleheim, CDMV, Iams Canada, Ontario SPCA, Profender by Bayer, PetLynx Corporation, Petsecure and Petsmart Charities.

The Care for Cats initiative was created to address the issue of cat overpopulation and to bring forward a message that people, not cats, are the real problem. The 2011 Year of the Cat focused awareness on the need for routine veterinary care, identification and spay/neuter procedures. Moreover, the public relations campaign resulted in a better understanding of Canada's most popular pet – the cat.

Organizers say program success stemmed from all sectors of the Canadian pet industry participating in the creation of the campaign, the development of online tools and the delivery of the Care for Cats program to each community. Individuals and organizations recognized their ability to positively influence cats and their well being within the relationships they already owned.

  

Furthermore the cost of the campaign was low as the industry rallied to provide services and push common messages through their communication channels. This approach resulted in a unified message spread across all sectors in many communities.

Congratulations are in order for Dr. Liz O'Brien and those who assisted her on the Advisory Council to  bring to life a vision that arose out of the 2010 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies.  Care for Cats demonstrates how mass collaboration can bring success to the industry and create healthier communities for the pets and people who live in them.

For more information, reach out to Judi Cannon, Program Manager, 705.930.7387 or judi.cannon@petlynxmail.com

Have YourSAY(tm) - Leadership Changes at Canadian Kennel Club

Recently, a new Chair and a new Executive Director were reported by the Canadian Kennel Club.  CKC has had the responsibility to steward the purebred dog breeders of Canada for more than 120 years.  If you are one of Canada's thought leaders or if you are an active member of the companion animal industry, we invite you to be a respondent to the first YourSAY™ Survey of 2012.  Click this link and invest a few minutes to have YourSAY™ about CKC!

2012.1 YourSAY(TM) Survey  

The 2012.1 YourSAY™ Survey of public opinion is Powered by PetLynx and gathers information that will be reported to the CKC board and management as well as to the industry on Friday, 3 February 2012.  Dr. Lisa Chen is leading this PetLynx Market Services and Intelligence [MSI] program that offers respondents the opportunity to contribute their opinions while providing  industry with an analysis of public opinion at a given moment in time.

Clinton presents P&G with Award for Corporate Excellence

P&G is the first company to win for two programs in the same year. The company was nominated by two embassies, Nigeria and Pakistan, for good corporate citizenship, responsible environmental protection and practices, contributions to the overall growth and development of the local economies and innovation

P&G’s contributions to improving the lives of consumers in Nigeria and Pakistan were recognized today by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who presented P&G with the Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE).

“When companies act responsibly, they can make vital contributions that matter to everyone. From spurring economic growth and promoting good governance in the rule of law, to providing humanitarian relief after natural disasters,” said Secretary Clinton at the U.S. State Department ceremony. “P&G stepped up when it mattered most, just as they have stepped up every single day in every single place. They have saved lives.”

“P&G’s Purpose as a Company is to touch and improve lives, now and for generations to come,” said P&G Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Bob McDonald. “Our Purpose guides and inspires everything we do. For 175 years, our Purpose has focused us on finding ways to make people’s everyday lives a little better. We improve lives with our brands, with our business growth, with our employee programs and with our social responsibility efforts. When we improve lives, we grow our business and by growing our business we are able to improve even more lives. It is a virtuous cycle and entirely congruent with our growth strategy to improve more lives, in more parts of the world…more completely. Receiving the ACE Award is a great recognition of the efforts we are making in Nigeria and Pakistan and around the world, and it motivates us to continue our work to improve lives ways every day.”


Read the whole story

IH4TH Program adopts 1.26 Million pets in 95 days

Iams brings good things to life! Animals, pet families and communities are all experiencing the good things Iams brings to companion animals. Here are some of the practical activities Iams supported in 2011.

Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH), one of the world's largest pet adoption programs, announced that 1,267,541 animals were adopted in the 95 days beginning 01 October 2011!  Since it began 13 years ago, Iams and founding partner Helen Woodward Animal Center, along with more than 4,000 animal organizations from around the globe, have helped 7,034,989 pets find forever homes.

   

Here's the skinny on 2011 IH4TH:

• Dogs win by a nose 651,224 
• Cat adoptions total 595,000
• Other pet adoptions (rabbits, reptiles, horses and birds) total 21,317
• 1,000 Cards for a cause were created and shared from the Iams Facebook page
• Iams donated 5 million meals to pets in need through Bags to Bowls program

The 2012 Iams Home 4 The Holidays (IH4TH) program will begin in October.

PetLynx programs featuring Iams in Canada during 2011 included:

• Assisted Canadian pet families with 42,323 automated recovery episodes. That's more help than all other recovery services combined.
• Co-sponsored the 2011 Year of the Cat program which registered 16,995 cats (almost seven thousand more than the pre-launch goal of 10,000) and recovered 22,489 Cats that previously faced an uncertain future.
• Iams kitten and puppy kits helped register more than 10,000 new pets at the point they entered their communities.
• Finally, Iams supported the development of the HomeSafe(tm) program which entered pre-market activities in Edmonton, Alberta during late 2011 and is expected to touch 93,000 pets in that community in the coming years.

More information:

• Learn about IH4TH
• Learn about Mike Arms and the Helen Woodward Centre
• Learn about Iams
• Learn about P&G
• Learn about PetLynx

Shoreman elected Chair of Kennel Club Board

Michael Shoreman has been elected Chair of the CKC Board of Directors for the 2012 -2014 term.  Mr. Shoreman has an extensive background in public service and senior executive activities which together with his experience as breeder and international Judge gives him an understanding of all things dog.

Mr. Shoreman a Life Member of the CKC, replaces Lee Steeves who held the board seat until the election this past weekend.

Read the CKC post

CKC names Nancy Carey as new Executive Director

Canadian Kennel Club has a new Executive Director. Nancy Carey has a broad background in non profit and executive functions. Nancy takes up her new post on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Ms. Carey's challenge will be to lead Canada's longest serving canine registry into a new model that resolves the problems and funding issues experienced of late.

Member organizations in Canada are all facing challenges to some degree, including funding, automation, internet presence as well as increased critique of member services and the fees associated with them.

The top post has been vacant since March of 2011 when Joe Mauro resigned as CEO of the club. Since that time the CKC has suspended the publishing of Dogs in Canada, closed down its publishing arm Apex and terminated many of the senior staff associated with providing these services to industry.

Read the whole Story

See Nancy's LinkedIn profile

Mashable looks at a potential Facebook IPO

Could Facebook deliver the largest IPO in history?  Some think this might be the case, for a technology play that just a few short years ago analysts were dissing because a method to monetize traffic wasn't obvious to them.

How will the market value a portal that now supports more than 1 of every 10 human beings on earth? Could Facebook establish a new metric in dollars per user.

This discussion brings to mind another in 2005 when the Google IPO came to market.  Imagine using an auction to establish the pre-market price of shares. No wonder the analysts got it wrong.

Take a look at this amazing graphic

VCA Antech buys Associated Veterinary Clinics

Canada's largest animal hospital group sold to US firm


VCA Antech has purchased Associate Veterinary Clinics, which has some 40 clinics in Canada including critical care and specialty services. VCA Antech initially invested in the Canadian firm in 2008, and this transaction will bring VCA's financial commitment to about $75.5 million. "We plan to make additional investments in AVC, which will facilitate the company's continued expansion in the Canadian market," said VCA Chairman and CEO Bob Antin. 


Read the whole story

PetLynx welcomes new team member!

PetLynx Corporation is pleased to advise that Joe Mauro has accepted the position of Vice President, Business Development.

Joe Mauro has been part of the companion animal industry for 17 years; the last six as CEO of Canada’s largest dog registry – the Canadian Kennel Club.

Read the whole story

Dr. Cheryl Yuill accepts Chief Veterinary Officer for Ontario SPCA

Dr. Cheryl Yuill has accepted the position of Chief Veterinary Officer for the Ontario SPCA.

In the early 90s, Dr. Yuill purchased Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Kitchener, Ont. and went on to develop the veterinary health care program for animals at the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society.

Under her direction, the veterinary program evolved to not only address the health and well-being of the animals in the care of the Society, but also provided training and educational opportunities for the staff.

Dr. Yuill, a past president of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, is known for being involved in numerous committees of the CVO and is currently a co-chair of Health Canada’s "Expert Advisory Committee on Veterinary Natural Health Products."

To read the official Press Release, please click here.