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PR agency that launches brands in Canada

5.0
3 reviews

Harbinger is an independently owned public relations firm with expertise in launching and building brands in Canada. We opened our doors as a public relations agency, over 30 years ago and have worked with clients across multiple industries from beauty/personal care, food (trade and consumer) & beverage and more. Our team includes content strategists, creatives and influencer & media specialists.

We work with partners in Quebec and the United States, to deliver best in class programs.

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$10,000+
 
$100 - $149 / hr
 
10 - 49
 Founded
1990
Show all +
Toronto, Canada
headquarters
  • 200 Wellington Street West, Suite 600
    Toronto, ON M5V 3C7
    Canada
    8779605100

Reviews

5.0
3 reviews
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Rebranding & Social Strategy for Infant Care Product Co

"...we had an excellent relationship that exceeded our expectations."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Apr. 2015 - Oct. 2017
Project summary: 

Harbinger Communications functioned as the marketing arm of a juvenile products company. They helped lead the company through a rebrand, prepping the launch strategy, updating social channels, and more.

The Reviewer
 
1,001-5,000 Employees
 
Toronto, Canada
Former General Manager, Infant Care Products
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

By establishing the new brand image, Harbinger Communications helped double business. The team maintained a deliverables schedule with frequent touch pints to remain organized. Their creativity and a hunger for results made them remarkable partners.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the GM of Canada for a consumer durables juvenile products company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Harbinger Communications?

  • Company social media and rebranding
  • Media relations
  • launch strategy
  • marketing strategy
  • stakeholder management
  • issues management
  • media training

Essentially, they became our marketing department

What were your goals for this project?

To establish the brand in Canada, create a positive reputation with consumers and retailers.

Our goal was to become a credible leader in the baby hard goods space with the number one position in safety. With the assistance of Harbinger we were able to accomplish this goal!

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We met with multiple vendors, however, Harbinger was able to identify a clear path to success in a manner that aligned with the goals/ideals of the company.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

With the assistance of Harbinger, we were able to establish our brand in Canada and create a positive reputation with consumers and retailers. 

What was the team composition?

VP, Account Manager and execution team including social media experts, issues management and design

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We doubled our business and improved the price points for the category.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We were able to work extremely well with them as there was a schedule for deliverables and frequent touch points

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The insights, their creativity, their willingness to become a partner and take the time to learn/understand the business to drive results, was truly amazing.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There are always areas for improvement. None come to mind as we had an excellent relationship that exceeded our expectations, but recognize that we can all continue to improve.

5.0
Overall Score Excellent people and company to work with
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Exceptional. Immediate cadence/discipline for what had to be done when. Visibility to meetings and work to be done by when.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    The value and outcomes provided exceeded our expectations and left no doubt we engaged the right agency
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They produced work that was over and above what we envisioned. Always delivered at the highest level.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I have recommended them to friends who have engaged them and were thrilled with the recommendation. I would continue to do so without reservation.

Self-Esteem PR Initiative for Consumer Products Company

"We collaborated effectively and achieved exceptional results together." 

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Jan. 2003 - Dec. 2013
Project summary: 

Harbinger Communications both formulated and executed a PR initiative for a line of personal care products. They also handled product launches into the market.

The Reviewer
 
10,000+ Employees
 
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Sharon MacLeod
Global Brand Vice President, Unilever
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Market share grew significantly thanks to Harbinger Communication’s seamless workflow and collaboration. Their campaign reached a staggering number of individuals, considerably exceeding expectations.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Unilever is a global consumer packaged goods company producing world-leading products in personal care, food, and cleaning. They're focused on sustainable growth by reducing the environmental footprint and improving health and well-being. I was the global brand VP during the project. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Harbinger Communications?

Harbinger led public relations for many of our large scale Personal Care initiatives.

What were your goals for this project?

Drive awareness of our customer's mission and launch personal care products in the market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Harbinger participated in a pitch process and was selected amongst leading industry PR agencies for their creativity, consumer insights, and deep experience in PR.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Collaborated in defining and evolving the strategy for our customer and their self-esteem project over a decade. They then executed the project and associated large-scale product launch initiatives.

What was the team composition?

Harbinger provided a team led by a Senior Strategic Partner and comprised of media relations managers, a digital leader, a copywriter, a videographer/photographer and event management staff.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our customer has grown market share, and their sub-brand for a particular country has the highest market share of any country in the world. The self-esteem project will have reached 40 million girls globally via self-esteem building initiatives by 2020. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Consistently seamless workflow.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was blown away by their partnership with me. We collaborated effectively and achieved exceptional results together.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Implicit-Association Testing for Enterprise Candy Company

"Their talent and ideas were impressive."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Jan. 2016 - Jan. 2018
Project summary: 

To promote products in a segmented market, Harbringer Communications was tasked with increasing brand awareness and sampling consumer demographics. They led implicit-association tests (IAT) with focus groups.

The Reviewer
 
1,001-5,000 Employees
 
Toronto, Canada
Julia Mauer
Former Marketing Director, Wrigley
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Their research helped yield double-digit growth. The team was highly communicative and was willing to push back on ideas when needed. They've continued to craft a reputation for delivering critical market research.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Wrigley, Former Skittles lead.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Harbinger Communications?

Needing to get product in more consumers hands in an incredibly segmented market.

What were your goals for this project?

Awareness, Sampling

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Reputation

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Lead IAT

What was the team composition?

VP, Director of Strategy, AEs

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Double digit growth. Would highly recommend Harbinger to anyone else.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

VERY. Open communications, push back on ideas, partnership.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their talent and ideas were impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

NO

5.0
Overall Score
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer