JENNIFER STECKEL ELLIOTT

Marketing executive, Danier Leather Inc.

wellness is appalling and most people would be aghast to know how poorly we rank. The SandboxProject’s research shouldpersuasively point out what the issues are, why there’s a need for change andwhatcan be done.

Finally, The Sandbox Project needs to tie the findings to simple actions Canadians can take to improve the lives of children, specifically within the framework of injury prevention, obesity, mental health and the environment. There is a grave problem facing our children. As parents, community members and Canadians, we must take an active role in the solution. And why aren’t we? Because we don’t understand its severity. In answer to The Sandbox Project’s dilemma — should the awareness campaign focus on solutions or awareness? — I demand awareness.

We are faced with many competing “problems” on childhood and the future of the economy every day at a macro level. We could continue with campaigns teaching people how to fit in an extra hour of activity for their children, how to wear helmets when playing hockey and what signs to watch for depression. But what will this accomplish? We can argue that in some communities these solutions-oriented efforts are successful, particularly those with the means to pay for activities, fresh vegetables, hockey equipment and psychiatrists. But this is not the situation for the majority of our population.

To effect change for the entire nation, we must support each other with a clear vision as to the gravity of the situation. This can only result from a shock and awe campaign of awareness and short-term actions that we can all implement, regardless of household income or other means. The first step in defining actions that are smart, measurable, actionable, realistic and timely is a true understanding of our problem — a typical marketing dilemma. In the past, we threw solutions at a poorly defined and understood problem. This would not only prevent us from winning any advertising awards, but would also prevent us from achieving marketer of the year for any business. Let’s apply proper business strategy to the well-being of our children, and our country, and really accomplish something in their shortening lifetimes. “As wehave a significant number of stakeholders, we cannot veer too far into the negative side of awareness generation, and risk alienating some of our partners,” said Christine Hampson, CEOof The Sandbox Project. That said, Hampson and her team are considering making future awareness campaigns a bit edgier than they have been in the past. The Sandbox Project is currently working toward collaborating on common indicators so that there’s consistent reporting when it comes to child and youth health. “We’re well positioned to report on Canadian progress and, if need be, wewon’t shy away from the harsh reality of child and youth health,” Hampson said. “If we present consistent information that strikes a chord with families and heightens awareness, we’re further along in creating the conditions necessary for Canada to become the healthiest place on earth for children and youth to grow up.” Being on a business trip in a hotel room that only has a wired connection to the Internet is really quite lame. But plug the network cable into this pocket-sized router and you can create your ownwireless connection. Type in the default password on your devices and use the connection like any other WiFi. The router provides wireless speeds up to 150Mbps, which can handle video streaming and gaming as well. Besides carrying your belongings — whether that’s for a business trip to NewYork or a hike through the Annapurna mountain range — this backpack can charge your electronic devices for days. The waterand crush-resistant T55 Joey battery pack inside the Recon Charged backpack can provide up to 3.5 full battery charges, or several days of partial charges for a cellphone, tablet or other USBdevices. This gadget looks like a revamped, more discreet version of the classic Motorola Bluetooth-enabled headset that was once ubiquitous in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Instead of hooking onto the ear, it sits inside the ear. Moto Hint users can take calls from any Bluetoothenabled smartphone, but they can also hear notifications and send messages without having to touch or look at their mobile device. These Bluetooth-enabled gloves allow you to use your ownhands as a handset by placing your thumb to your ear and your pinkie finger to your mouth to take calls. Pair the gloves to your cellphone like you would with any other Bluetoothenabled device and you can use your smartphone without having to take it out of your pocket. Abuilt-in vibration feature can be activated to notify you of an incoming call. The fingertips of the gloves also conduct heat, so the device’s touchscreen can be used without having to expose your hands to the wintry air.