Toronto, Ontario (August 17, 2021) –  St. Joseph Communications (SJC), Canada’s largest privately owned print, media and marketing company, is excited to announce  today its new microsite whatisprintoyou.ca that reveals the results of its 65th anniversary campaign that invited its staff, clients and magazine readers to share what print means to them.

“While print certainly ties back to our roots, our focus is on the power of print in today’s digital world, for consumers and marketers alike,” says Tony Gagliano, Chairman & CEO of SJC. “Print materials like books, magazines and personalized communications in our mailboxes give us ways to connect with people and the topics we care about in a more tangible and intimate way.  After the last 18 months, a physical way to connect and engage is more relevant, and more unique even, than ever before.”

SJC kicked off the campaign on social media on April 24, 2021, to coincide with Canadian Independent Bookstore Day. It asked Canadians the question “what does print mean to you?”

The launch ad included the headline “Print is Trust,” based on recent studies such as the  Kantar Dimensions Study 2020 that found 37 per cent of people worldwide say they have conviction in print,  the most of any medium.  Vividata’s Winter 2021 Survey of the Canadian Consumer study revealed that news brands (print or digital platforms) are the second most trusted source for information on the pandemic.

SJC received dozens of submissions for 63 unique words, including “tangible,” “education,” “choice,” “relaxation,” “joy” and “influence.” All participants were entered in a draw to win one of 25 print-themed prize packs including a magazine subscription and $50 gift card to the Canadian independent bookstore of their choice.

To help bring the words to life, SJC invited its staff to represent one of the words through a creative representation of their choice. These pieces are now up on whatisprinttoyu.ca and SJC is inviting Canadians to submit their vote on the one most meaningful to them. The winner will be featured in an ad to run across SJC Media magazines to further reinforce print’s powerful and personal role in today’s media landscape.

SJC has a rich history in print. Its founder, Gaetano Gagliano, started a small letterpress operation in the basement of his family home in Toronto in 1956, two years after emigrating from Italy. While the company diversified into other media (digital media and advertising in 1993; magazine publishing in 2001 and all forms of digital media in recent years), print has remained a core offering for its marketing customers spanning  the retail, CPG, government publishing, finance, telecom and automotive sectors.

As Canada’s largest magazine publisher,  SJC continues to invest in print for its media division. Maclean’s launched its first design overhaul for the first time in 10 years with its October 2021 issue, and this September, SJC Media is relaunching the iconic Canadian Business – in print.

“So much about magazines is intentional and thoughtfully considered,” says Gagliano. “These qualities, unique to print, are why we continue to invest in our brands, thrilled to usher in a new era of Canada’s best stories across print and digital.”

For more information, please contact:
Marta Tsimicalis
Manager, Marketing & Communications
marta.tsimicalis@stjoseph.com
416-895-4771

About St. Joseph Communications (SJC)

St. Joseph Communications is Canada’s largest privately owned print, media, and communications company. Whether the channel is mobile, online, print, bricks-and-mortar, or all of the above, SJC creates integrated cross-platform content solutions that deliver a seamless brand experience. The company brings its 65 years of award-winning expertise to leading retailers, publishers, cataloguers, and financial corporations in North America. SJC also owns and publishes some of Canada’s most iconic and celebrated media brands including Canadian Business, Chatelaine (English and French), FASHION, HELLO! Canada, Maclean’s, Today’s Parent and Toronto Life.  SJC is a 2021 Platinum Club winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, marking 18 consecutive years of recognition. For more information, visit www.stjoseph.com.

Image: Creative submission by SJC Content employee Andrew Heindl as part of the company’s 65th anniversary campaign celebrating the role of print in our lives today.