Debra Stuart is an international award winning Toronto freelance copywriter who has interviewed industry experts and business leaders, and authored by-lined articles for numerous print and online media outlets. Debra has written countless press releases that garnered local and international media coverage for small businesses and international corporations. In the role of Editor, Debra researched and wrote all content and directed the design of national trade publications and corporate newsletters for internal and external stakeholders across North America. Debra serves as a media source for journalists seeking an expert opinion on copywriting, marketing and branding.

HAIR STYLIST TO THE STARS’ MAKES WAVES INTERNATIONALLY | COSTCO CONNECTION MAGAZINE

“ From a modest, middle-class upbringing, to world champion celebrity hairstylist, savvy entrepreneur, television personality and product innovator, Marc Anthony has ascended to become a true Canadian success story. With multiple international awards, two trendy salons in Toronto, and his premier line of Marc Anthony True Professional hair care and body care products that are sold worldwide, Anthony’s lifelong love affair with hair continues to drive the success of his now iconic brand,” wrote Debra Stuart.

RECOVERING GRACEFULLY WHEN YOUR PRODUCT LAUNCH IS A DISASTER | CANADIAN BUSINESS MAGAZINE

“A company that is dealing with a brand crisis needs to have a crisis management strategy and mobilize a PR team, either internally or externally, to mitigate the situation. These sorts of ‘epic fails’ can cause irreparable damage to a reputation. It is very important to designate a trained media spokesperson to communicate key messages to the public, to try to turn the negative buzz into something positive, and to re-engage the audience.” said Debra Stuart, Toronto branding expert.

TIME TO REBRAND | INVESTMENT EXECUTIVE

“For Financial Advisors, a brand is more than just a logo. It’s everything from how you communicate your firm’s brand image, to the verbal and visual style of the marketing materials you disseminate.” If you want to reinvent or update your brand, changes should be reflected consistently across all touch points, including your business cards, letterhead, website, newsletters and brochures,” said Debra Stuart, a marketing and branding consultant in Toronto.

USE WEBSITES TO HELP DEVELOP LOYALTY | HOMESTYLE MAGAZINE

“How can you forge personal relationships with prospects and customers, encourage long term loyalty and drive incremental sales with even the smallest of budgets? Retailers should take advantage of online marketing to drive sales, create valuable customer email lists and keep their brand top-of-mind,” said Debra Stuart, Toronto marketing expert.

NATIONAL AND LOCAL MARKETING ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS | FRANCHISE CANADA MAGAZINE

“One of the key reasons for buying a franchise is to leverage the benefits of instant brand recognition and system-wide marketing that builds awareness, equity and sales. Most franchisees in Canada are required to pay a fixed amount, or a percentage of gross sales into an advertising fund, which is typically two percent. Making ongoing contributions to the fund, along with other franchisees, creates significant buying power…” said Debra Stuart.

FROM THE EDITOR | FOOD SAFETY IN CANADA MAGAZINE

“Food Safety In Canada will provide valuable scientific and technical insights, as well as actionable strategies and solutions to help those in the Canadian food industry protect their businesses, brands and customers. As the voice of the industry, Food Safety In Canada will feature enlightening editorial content from leading authorities, who will share their expert views on a broad range of Canadian food safety topics, as well international issues that affect Canada…” said Editor, Debra Stuart.

SEXY. STYLISH. SMART. SUCCESSFUL. UMBRA PERSONIFIED. | GIFTS AND TABLEWARES MAGAZINE

“What’s next for this power brand that has become a global icon for innovative design and utilitarian function? President Les Mandelbaum shares his insights on the home decor industry and talks about strategies that have positioned the company for ongoing success,” said Debra Stuart.

EMPIRE COMMUNITIES BY THE SEA | CONDO LIFE MAGAZINE

“Imagine living your dream in a place where the best of everything life has to offer is yours – an urban oasis, with breathtaking views of the water, exquisite sunsets and enchanting city skylines. This is life at Beyond The Sea. Nestled in an idyllic setting near the Etobicoke shoreline on Lakeshore Boulevard West, just west of Parklawn Road, this exclusive award-winning, three-tower condominium community promises the ultimate in luxury, comfort and lakeside living…” said Debra Stuart.

PROMOTIONS SHOUT, “BUY ME NOW!” | SMALL BUSINESS MAGAZINE

“Caryl Baker Visage Cosmetics salons, which are usually located in shopping malls, offer brochures to walk-in traffic, inviting women in for a free makeup application. We have now developed a teens and men’s brochure to attract those markets. We also distribute a newsletter six times a year, and the spring issue will offer a promotional coupon for a discount on one of our new products. We are doing this to measure the response and efficiency of our newsletter,” said Debra Stuart.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK MOVES BUSINESS TO THE TOP | FRANCHISE CANADA MAGAZINE

“When two high school boys, Brig and Jon Sorber of Lansing, Michigan, started an after-school business using an old pick-up truck to help neighbours move, they never imagined that their mother, Mary Ellen Sheets, would have to take the wheel when they left for college. Inundated with calls, Mary Ellen purchased a moving truck to accommodate the booming business and kept it all in the family when daughter, Melanie, became the first Two Men And A Truck franchisee,” wrote Debra Stuart.

FINDING THE PERFECT MATCH | FOODSERVICE AND HOSPITALITY MAGAZINE

“In today’s competitive marketplace, finding the right candidate for the job, particularly in the foodservice and hospitality industry, can be challenging. For operators, it can mean wading through a flood of applications from unqualified candidates or hiring the wrong individual, both of which can be costly,” said Debra Stuart.

GOING GREEN FOR EARTH DAY A BOOST FOR BUSINESS | YOURHAMILTONBIZ.COM

“Earth Day is a great opportunity for corporations and small businesses to demonstrate their environmental commitment. Participation can be part of an integrated public relations campaign to show the community that your company cares, is socially conscience and a good citizen of the world. It can be a great image-building tactic,” said Debra Stuart.

GS1 CANADA | CCOMMERCE MAGAZINE

“A must read for senior executives in all areas of business – from operations and logistics, to information technology, product development and sales – cCommerce will provide valuable insights, local and global news, case studies and special features on a range of timely and pertinent supply chain topics…” said Editor, Debra Stuart.

CRAFTING A CATCHY TAGLINE | INVESTMENT EXECUTIVE

"A tagline helps a business resonate with clients," says Debra Stuart, a branding and marketing expert in Toronto. “It provides a point of difference and personality for the brand. The tagline should be short, memorable and evoke an emotional reaction, and be included in all marketing,” Stuart says.

JUNKWORKS #1 RATED SERVICE BRAND IN NORTH AMERICA | FRANCHISE CANADA MAGAZINE

“In 2005, after graduating university, long-time friends, Mike Andreacchi and Brian Reardon, founded Junk King out of their garage to provide a dependable and green private junk removal service. The concept took off, and today there are sixty franchises across the U.S. In 2013, sister company, Junk Works, made its foray into Ontario. With 2 existing locations and 3 scheduled to launch in 2015, future expansion plans include Quebec and B.C. Throughout its rapid ascent, the franchise’s commitment to customer service excellence has remained its cornerstone, resulting in a 90% Net Promoter Score, the highest of any North American brand,” wrote Debra Stuart.

RUSH. AN OBSESSION WITH EXCELLENCE | CANADIAN MUSICIAN MAGAZINE

“Getty Lee. Alex Lifeson. Neal Peart. Toronto’s megapower trio, celebrated in the minds of rock music lovers around the globe as none other than the inimitable Rush. The unwavering loyalty and well-earned respect of their fans has translated into more than 40 million records sold worldwide,” said Debra Stuart.

CONSIGNMENT STORE ADDS OWN LABEL TO CLOTHING LINE | YOURHAMILTONBIZ.COM

“The first steps for a retail store owner interested in creating a private label are to develop a business plan, ensure product demand in the local marketplace, research competitors and talk to existing customers, so the store can capitalize on its existing customer base. If there is brand equity in the store name, the owners can definitely leverage that,” said Debra Stuart.

AECINFO.COM REVOLUTIONIING THE WAY WE BUILD | CANADIAN HOME BUILDER

“We’ve come a long way since the time primitive stone tools were used to cut down trees and work wood to build houses. By empowering home builders to converge, create, communicate and collaborate online, aecinfo.com is enhancing the day-to-day efficiencies of the process, helping home builders take the art and science of building to the next level,” said Debra Stuart.

POP-A-LOCK UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF MULTIPLE MARKETS | FRANCHISE CANADA MAGAZINE

“Pete Crouse, President and CEO of Pop-A-Lock Canada brought this unique franchise north of the border after leaving a successful career as a corporate executive with a multinational food and beverage company. Pete said he immediately recognized the entrepreneurial opportunity and tremendous B2B and B2C potential of Pop-A-Lock, which has continued to exceed his expectations. Since the inception of the first franchise in 1995, Pop-A-Lock has become one of the largest, full-service professional mobile locksmithing franchises in the world,” wrote Debra Stuart.”

THE SECRETS OF SUCCESS OF GERRY SCHWARTZ | PROFITGUIDE.COM

“To what extent do your instincts and passion influence your business decision-making?” Debra Stuart asked Gerry Schwartz, founder of Onex Corporation in an interview. Schwartz responded, “Enormously. Instinct is the accumulation of knowledge over time, often from having made mistakes and learning from them, and I trust my instincts and the instincts of my colleagues.”