My New Favourite Place for Summertime Fun in Ottawa

This summer, if you are wondering what to do in Ottawa to beat the heat, look no further than Canada's newest and largest theme waterpark, Calypso. Those in Ottawa, Montreal, and everywhere in between are in luck as this water wonderland is located in nearby Limoges, Ontario!

The park opened earlier this month and I can vouch for its awesomeness, having spent the day there this past weekend. Oddly enough, I heard about the park via the Globe and Mail in a recent article profiling owner Guy Drouin. I haven't personally seen or heard any marketing and advertising for the park around town, but I imagine that word of mouth for this destination will soon take off like wild fire.

All you need to do is check out the Rides and Attractions section of the website to get a sense of the excitement that this place generates for kids of all ages. My advice would be to arrive before the gates even open to avoid the lines!

Analyze This: Website Plays Web Marketing Shrink to Twitter

Have you heard of the website Analyze Words? If you haven't, and you're a Twitterholic, this website is for you. Input any Twitter page and it will analyze the words, and play a web marketing shrink of sorts, determining whether the Twitter page is upbeat, sad, angry, depressed, and even more importantly: how valley girl is it?

Since the BP oil spill crisis is the hot topic in the media, on the Web, and on Twitter and Youtube, I thought it would be fun to use Analyze Words on BP's Twitter account. Here are the results:

Emotional Style:
upbeat: high 66
worried: low 22
depressed: average 60

Social Style:
arrogant/distant: very high 81
spacy/valley girl: low 37

In terms of popular Ottawa Twitter accounts, Ottawa Bluesfest is right up there, so I also ran Analyze Words on them too. The results? Perhaps the Cicsco Ottawa Bluesfest should kick back with a beer. Apparently, they're pretty angry with a high of 70. After the beer, go back to your Twitter page and send some happy tweets. The Bluesfest should rank as an upbeat Twitter account. Web marketing counts guys. Happy Twittering!

BlackHawks: 2010 Stanley Cup Champs and Twitter Kings

You know that the Chicago Blackhawks are the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions, but what you might not know is that the this team of curse breakers are also Kings of Twitter. Yep. Just check out the Blackhawks Twitter page - with 35,000 plus followers. They even won some pretty impressive hardware for their social media skills. They were chosen as the "Best Brand Use of Twitter" at the 2009 Annual Mashable Open Web Awards. What the heck is that? It's the equivalent to a game changing, 6'4 225 lb enforcer that checks the weak, Twitterless competition into the boards and pulverizes them into a sad, social media-less heap on the ice. For the non-hockey types, these awards are an international online voting competition that cover major innovations in web technology and achievements in social media. Right, the 6'4 enforcer was much better.

So the next question is obvious: Chicago Blackhawks versus the Ottawa Senators - who would win the Twitter face-off? Sadly, Ottawa wouldn't even come close. Hey Sens: let's trade Spezza! I want me some social media enforcers. Oh, and a big ol' slice of Chicago deep dish pizza. Hold the pepperoni.

Yo Gabba Gabba to Entertain the Kiddies in Ottawa

When searching for what to do in Ottawa, I happened to stumble upon the fact that Yo Gabba Gabba is coming to Ottawa in November to put on a live show at Scotiabank Place. I must admit that I'm pretty out of the loop when it comes to the kiddie scene, but I had heard of Yo Gabba Gabba thanks to one of my favourite shows, E!'s The Soup (check out the video below).

So when I found the Ottawa concert listing, I clicked on the link to the Yo Gabba Gabba website and took a peek just for fun. What I found that was most interesting was a video featuring Jimmy Eat World singing and playing their instruments on top of flying giant cats and dogs. Say what? Jimmy Eat World makes music for kids? Are kindergarteners really their new target market? After giving it a bit of thought, I realized how genius this is in terms of a marketing approach. While the kids will love it, their parents will think it isn't half bad, especially if their ears are still bleeding from some of those other children's performers that will remain nameless in this blog post. They may even check Jimmy Eat World out on iTunes and download old favourites or find new ones. Smart.

Spezza and the Ottawa Senators Enter 11th Hour

Trade rumours continue to swirl on Ottawa's Jason Spezza as his July 1st no-trade clause draws near. It's been the hot topic in Ottawa all week long. You literally can't turn on the TV, surf the Web, or listen to any news without hearing about the possibility of a Spezza trade. It's become a mega rumour mill/marketing machine. While the media is having a field day, the Spezza camp is keeping mum. When asked if he wants to come back to Ottawa, Jason replied: "Yeah", however it's more than obvious that he's not exactly thrilled with Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray for making him the scapegoat for the team's less than spectacular postseason performance. Murry on the other hand, has publicly stated that he wants to make Spezza a bigger part of the Senators' future, and count on him for leadership. I'm not sure who to believe.

When it comes right down to it, it doesn't matter what either one of them says, as they only have their own best interest in mind (hello?! PR!). What this really comes down to is money. Spezza signed a seven year $49 million deal in 2007. That's some serious dough. Ottawa will only trade him if they think that can get a better replacement and that will be tough. I'm betting the Sens won't make the trade.

I ♥ Westboro: Ottawa's Best Neighbourhood

Is Westboro Ottawa's best neighbourhood? I'm going to throw down the gauntlet and say yes. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Westfest - Taking place next weekend, this weekend-long, free festival attracts an estimated 200,000 and features artists, concerts, buskers, and more all located in Westboro Village.

2. Westboro Beach - This cute little beach has sun, sand, and a canteen and patio for those looking for some refreshments. Westboro residents also have easy access to the bike and walking paths along the Ottawa River.

3. Shopping and Fine Dining - Westboro is known for its trendy shops and restaurants: Lululemon, Bark & Fitz, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Miss Tiggy Winkles, The Works, Fratelli, The Keg Manor, Juniper, and so much more conveniently located within a few blocks. It's a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon.

4. Home of the Elvis Sighting Society - The Newport Restaurant is a one-of-a-kind Westboro staple.

Have a differing opinion on what should be crowned as Ottawa's best neighbourhood? Let us know.