When a star loves your product

“Sports fans will say, ‘He’s using that because he’s getting paid [to use it],’ ” says Robert Kozinets, professor of marketing at York University’s Schulich School of Business, in The Globe and Mail May 15. “But if you see that he’s not getting paid and he’s using it – it must be good. So it’s a quality signal.” Read full story.

From WestJet to Shoppers, four lessons from Canada’s best brands
A dealer-owned co-operative, Home Hardware has worked hard in recent years to stress its connection to the communities where it operates and playing up its “Home Owners helping home owners” ad campaign. Alan Middleton, a professor of marketing at York University’s Schulich School of Business, believes that’s what makes the company one of this year’s best brands. “I’ve always thought they’re a bit shabby compared to the other [hardware stores],” he said in Canadian Business May 14. “But they have that down-homeness that appeals in Canada.” Read full story.

The trade-offs of relocating north to Canada
Canadians also face higher taxes, some of which pay for the health-care system available to everyone, reported the New York Times May 14. “We pay them willingly, not gladly,” says Joseph Green, 79, a retired American who taught for years at Toronto’s York University and now lives in downtown Toronto. Read full story.

Ice mission and extreme camping to verify ESA’s CryoSat satellite
Understanding changes in ice thickness is crucial to working out how the actual volume is varying – a better indicator of change in the Arctic environment, reported Phys.org May 15. . . . Christian Haas from Canada’s York University noted, “Our ice-thickness measurements showed that, in many cases, the newer first-year ice was actually thicker than the older multi-year ice. This can be explained by the thick covering of snow, which insulates the older ice and prevents it from thickening further.” Read full story.

Outdoor smoking bylaw recommended for Haldimand, Norfolk
A new report from the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit recommends the development of a bylaw that would ban smoking in outdoor spaces, reported the Simcoe Reformer May 14. . . . The report details the results of a survey that gauged the level of community support for smoke-free outdoor spaces as well as data collected from the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing telephone survey by the Institute for Social Research at York University on behalf of health units across the province. Read full story.

Moonhorse Dance Theatre’s Older & Reckless Presents ‘Old & Young and Reckless Together,’ now through 5/17
Older & Reckless, Moonhorse Dance Theatre’s celebrated series curated by artistic director Claudia Moore, presents Old & Young and Reckless Together, featuring nine dance artists in four intergenerational works. David Earle, Troy Emery Twigg, Paul-André Fortier and York University dance Professor Carol Anderson present their work May 15 to 17, reported BroadwayWorld.com May 15. Read full story.

Track club to hold open house
The Quinte West Track Club is busy getting ready for the upcoming spring/summer season with the possibility of competing on the new Pan Am venue at York University in August, reported Belleville News May 14. Read full story.