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Tiny Canadian ad agency creates viral sensation with self-deprecating rap video about an unknown small town

"Mount Pearl may be an unknown place, in an unknown place, but they are very progressive in their thinking and approach," said creative director Jason Hill.
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AdWeek has a great little story out about a Canadian ad agency, Target Marketing, which was once a Gold Lion winner at Cannes alongside global superstars Saatchi & Saatchi, TBWA, and Lowe Hunt in 2006.

The agency has published another video poking fun at the small-town life in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland (pop: 25,000). From AdWeek:

The fact is, the town isn’t known for much of anything … which is actually spun as a plus in the playful, self-aware tune. “Welcome to Mount Pearl” showcases bars, parks, hikes, Pete’s Pizza and even a pony.

Various influential members of the community make cameos. Current mayor Dave Aker who fist bumps a baby, former mayor Steve Kent tosses his trash at the city’s automated garbage truck and Tony the Zamboni driver, slides by on the ice with a thumbs up.

To anyone familiar with small-town life in Canada (like me!) this video will bring back plenty of memories. Kudos to the town itself, which would have had to sign off on the idea.

Let me know what you think.

Cam Macmurchy

Hi! My name is Cam MacMurchy. I was born and raised in Canada and worked as a radio journalist before moving to Beijing, China in 2004. After short stints living in Guangzhou and Shanghai, China, I moved to Hong Kong on Halloween (October 31) in 2008, which is where I’ve been ever since. 

Today I work in Hong Kong in communications with a Hong Kong-listed technology company, but previously hosted a podcast and was an occasional contributor to 9to5Mac, the popular Apple website. 

This blog is mostly for fun. I tend to write about marketing, communications, and journalism, as well as technology and productivity. I would love to hear from you, so contact me anytime.