When I immigrated to Canada one of my new neighbors gave me a floor lamp. "I came 5 years ago, he said. And one day you'll probably do the same for someone else...”
After all the immigration process, the emotional drama of letting go all what we had in our country of origin and the one way trip, here we were, me and my husband, sitting on the floor of our empty apartment, with just one lamp welcoming us to our new home. I cherish this kind gesture and I’m sure I will always remember it.
Whether Canada or any other country, immigrants are an important market for companies providing all kinds of products and services. Some brands might be familiar to them, some of them might not. The bonding process starts since their landing day and never stops. Over time, they'll develop affection and loyalty toward different brands.
Therefore, it is important that the brands present themselves to the newcomers and maintain a positive image, since this is an audience actively seeking for new suppliers.
Creating a “Welcome to Remember”
 |
| Image: Welcome Pack Canada |
Entrepreneur and visionary, Albert Yue, created a new way to give immigrants a warm welcome to Canada while connecting them with national and local brands through the Welcome Pack Program and the Gift Box.
The Welcome Pack is a box that comes with daily use products and gifts from leading brands of different industries: banking, telecommunications, real estate, automotive, food & beverages, consumer products and services, etc.; as well as an informative magazine with advice and special offers.
The box was designed with caricatures of different families representing some of the places where new immigrants come from. “The welcome gift box that is gifted free of cost to each new immigrant who have recently arrived in Canada is designed as a keepsake ‘memory box’ to enable new immigrants record their fun and memorable life events/moments as they settle into this beautiful country”, explained Andrew Srinarayan, Vice President of Welcome Pack Canada Inc. in an exclusive interview for The Visionaries Media.
Srinarayan detailed the impact and benefits for the associated brands and companies: “The WelcomePack Canada program is a unique multi-dimensional marketing program connecting Canadian brands with new immigrants.
WelcomePack is the ‘Brand Ambassador’ on behalf of multiple Canadian brands of goods and services that welcomes new immigrants in Canada. Thereby we gain their unique attention and affection. We aim to gain lifetime customer value of the Canadian immigrants from their arrival and throughout their settling journey. This is a very significant role since when new immigrants arrive, they are new to Canadian brands and Canadian brands are new to them. They need to get to know and love these leading brands that they will continue to interact with during the rest of their lifetime and for their off-springs. WelcomePack enables Canadian brands establish a relationship with a range of touch points in short term, medium and long term, while extending significant value”.
 |
| Image: Welcome Pack Canada |
Launched in 2013, the program also includes contests, gift cards and other rewards, such as the chance to win prizes after completing a survey on the website. According to company’s information, in 2014 there are 40 brands participating and coupons are over $1,000 in value and savings.
“The welcoming does not start and end with the gift box. WelcomePack continues to be by the side of the newcomers helping them navigate through the different stages of their settlement. We continue to provide them with helpful information, advice and tips in several formats – ebooks, bi-weekly emails, online content, webinars, etc., and more special offers, as well as fun and excitement through contests and prizes”.
The company is preparing for the launch of the 2015 WelcomePack program hoping to reach another 30,000 new immigrants. "This is our target each year. We will be having more brands/companies involved and more great offers for new immigrants, while creating much more helpful content for them in multiple formats. Our focus area will continue to be Ontario and particularly the Great Toronto Area where over 40% of new immigrants settle", Srinarayan added.
New to Canada?
If you are a Permanent Resident; 18 years of age or older and immigrated to Canada after September 2011, you are eligible to receive your free gift box.
Learn more about how to obtain your package here: http://welcomepackcanada.com
About Albert Yue, President of Welcome Pack Canada Inc.:http://welcomepackcanada.com/a-welcome-from-the-president-ceo/
Your First Job in Canada – No Canadian Experience? No Problem!
As part of the ongoing engagement and relationship building with newcomers, the organization has launched a new series of short stories in an ebook version. More branded information products covering a bevy of topics in this format will be released in the next months.
See the first ebook:
English version - http://welcomepackcanada.info/
Chinese version - http://welcomepackcanada.info/
Aída Ulloa
The Visionaries Media
Follow us: Twitter @VisionariesMed
www.facebook.com/thevisionariesmedia
