MEDIA RELEASE:

Canadian Icon Voice of Winter Tourism Campaign

BRUCEGREYSIMCOE, January 16, 2013: The voice of Canadian entertainment icon Gordon Pinsent will be heard promoting winter tourism in BruceGreySimcoe in a series of radio spots launching this week, announced Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7). Gordon Pinsent is revered internationally not only as an actor, but also a writer. As CBC’s George Strombolopolous stated, “If you had to pick one person to symbolize acting in this country, Gordon Pinsent might be it.” Pinsent’s numerous accolades include two ACTRA awards, four GENIE Awards, five GEMINI awards, a DORA award, appointment as Officer of the Order of Canada, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The radio spots are part of a $500,000 campaign promoting winter tourism, and will be heard on popular stations across Toronto and into Southwestern Ontario. RTO7 Marketing Director Bill Sullivan explained that the campaign is multi-faceted and includes Internet and billboard advertising as well as radio. The campaign targets traditional visitors and those who may never have experienced winter in BruceGreySimcoe. Securing Pinsent is a significant coup for the organization, whose mandate is to help market and develop tourism in the region. “There’s no doubt that Gordon Pinsent’s distinctive voice will grab audience attention,” says Sullivan. “The ads welcome people to rediscover and experience the pure fun of winter and snow, with emphasis on ‘welcome.’ Because Gordon embodies the very qualities of familiarity and warmth that help make BruceGreySimcoe such a great getaway destination, we feel he is the perfect fit for the campaign.” To hear the radio spots, and learn more about all winter has to offer in the region, visit brucegreysimcoe.com/winter.

—30— About Regional Tourism Organization 7: RTO7 provides strategic and collaborative leadership to build, sustain and grow tourism in Bruce, Grey and Simcoe counties. It is one of 13 independent not-for-profit corporations to which the Ontario government provides some $40 million in annual funding to lead tourism planning, marketing and development in their respective regions. Quick facts about BruceGreySimcoe tourism: − In 2010 the three counties that comprise the region attracted an estimated 9.5 million visitors − Visitors to Bruce, Grey and Simcoe spent an estimated $1.2 billion in the region, on everything from food & beverage to accommodation to transportation, accounting for almost 7% of $17.1 billion total Ontario tourism spending in 2010 − Tourism across the region accounts for some 27,000 jobs that deliver billions more in economic outputs − BruceGreySimcoe has in excess of 25,000 accommodation rooms, including hotels, motels, camping and RV sites, commercial resorts, cabins and B&Bs − There are over 400 attractions across the region, and over 600 festival and event days each year

For more information: Alexandra Hogan, Administrative Coordinator [email protected] " (705) 888-8728 Consumer sites: Tourism industry sites: On the web: www.BruceGreySimcoe.com www.rto7.ca Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BruceGreySimcoe http://www.facebook.com/RTO7Connection Twitter: https://twitter.com/BruceGreySimcoe https://twitter.com/RTO7Connection

For Release: 9:00 am EST, January 16, 2013