Alison Walker, Account Specialist
When most people hear the word fraud, they typically think of the usual suspects – identity theft, a phone call about a free cruise, or everyone’s favourite, the Nigerian prince scam. But the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) wants to remind Albertans that “not all scams are cut and dry”.
To share that message, the ASC enlisted Brookline’s help to take over a barbershop in downtown Calgary. On Thursday, November 5, 2015, Brookline and the ASC transformed Denim & Smith Barbershop in Bankers Hall into the CheckFirst Barbershop.
Guests were treated to free haircuts and trims over the lunch hour, as well as some smart advice on how to make safe investment decisions. To fit with the theme, Calgary’s own Heebee Jeebees also dressed up as a barbershop quartet and sang a custom jingle written just for the ASC.
The activation garnered solid media attention, earning coverage from the Calgary Herald, Global TV, Breakfast Television, CTV, CBC Calgary, CBC Edmonton, 660 News, and News Talk 770. The ASC also issued an Alberta-wide press release coinciding with the CheckFirst Barbershop to make sure all Albertans heard the message on how to protect themselves from fraud.
November is Financial Literacy Month, making the CheckFirst Barbershop a timely reminder that Albertans should always do their homework before investing to ensure they don’t become victims of an investment scam. Visit www.checkfirst.ca for more information on how you can protect yourself from investment fraud.
-Alison Walker is an Account Specialist with Brookline PR and brings experience in branding, marketing communications, internal communications, event management and media relations. She is enthusiastic about working with clients to communicate their stories in fresh and exciting ways.