The 2021 PITCH CALENDAR for Entrepreneurs

1 Hello, 2021! Securing media coverage can be intimidating when you’re first starting out. Let’s be honest — even if you’ve already received some coverage in the past, it can still be intimidating!

But I’m about to give you my #1 Secret to Success! Plan, plan, plan! The more planning you can do in the early days of your media strategy, the more effective and streamlined the rest of the process will go. Work smarter, not harder, my friends!

Having a basic understanding of the “news cycle” is a great place to start. This means, understanding the topics and themes the media will be tackling and when. Also consider the “lead time” needed for each outlet you’re pitching to. Radio, local TV and online publications generally have a shorter lead time (1-2 months) vs. print media and major TV networks that have a longer lead time (upwards of 6 months).

Planning your content ahead of time will put you in a better position to pitch in an effective and timely manner. So if you haven’t started your planning yet — it starts right now!

I’m providing you with a month-by-month breakdown of themes, observances and important dates for you to start planning your pitching around!

2 JANUARY 2021 FEBRUARY 2021

HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES January 1: New Year’s Day February: January 6-7: Orthodox February 2: January 14: Orthodox New Year February 12: February 14: Valentine’s Day CELEBRATION DAYS February 15: National Flag of Canada Day February 15: (AB, BC, NB, ON, SK) January 2: World Introvert Day February 26: Yukon Heritage Day January 4: World Braille Day January 16: International Hot and Spicy Food Day January 17: World Religion Day CELEBRATION DAYS January 18: Blue Monday February 4: World Cancer Day January 21: International Sweatpants Day February 10: World Pulses Day January 24: International Day of Education February 17: Random Act of Kindness Day January 28: Bell Let’s Talk Day February 20: World Day of Social Injustice February 23: Canada’s Agriculture Day MONTHLY THEMES February 24: Pink Shirt Day • New year, new everything! • Dry January MONTHLY THEMES • Organizing, cleaning, purging, declutting • Love, self-love, couples, relationships, • Journalling and goal setting “Galentine’s Day,” romance, date ideas • Health and wellness, fitness, healthy eating, • Family activities, spending time together, recipes, products, holistic living appreciation for different types of families • Winter products and services (skincare, things to • Anti-bullying, cyberbullying, community do at home) initiatives • Comfort, coziness, hygge, contentment • Kindness, tolerance, acceptance, social causes • Rest, rejuvenation, relaxation • Black businesses, Black history, Black culture, • Mental health education of Black heritage in Canada

YOUR IDEAS YOUR IDEAS

3 MARCH 2021 APRIL 2021

HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES March 8: Commonwealth Day April 1: April Fool’s Day March 14: Daylight Savings Time April 2: March 17: St. Patrick’s Day April 4: Sunday March 20: First Day of Spring April 5: April 6: National Tartan Day CELEBRATION DAYS April 9: Vimy Ridge Day April 13: Starts March: National Nutrition Month April 30: Orthodox Good Friday March 1: World Music Therapy Day March 3: World Wildlife Day March 8: International Women’s Day CELEBRATION DAYS March 14: National PI Day April 2: World Autism Awareness Day March 20: International Day of Happiness April 7: World Health Day March 21: World Down Syndrome Day April 11: National Pet Day March 28: National Weed Appreciation Day April 15: World Art Day April 20: Volunteer Recognition Day MONTHLY THEMES April 22: April 29: International Dance Day • Spring cleaning • Renewal, awakening, new beginnings, fresh start • Staycations for March Break, activities, local MONTHLY THEMES getaways, things to do with the kids • Rainy day activities, keeping the kids busy • Spring/Summer fashion trends • Natural, organic, holistic, going green, eco- • Health and nutrition, spring food recipes, friendly, zero/low waste, mother earth, nature outdoor fitness activities • Art activities, art history, art therapy • Getting outside, warm weather activities • Pets, pet food, pet training, pros and cons of • Women in business, female entrepreneurs, pet ownership women’s rights, women in history, female role • Dance activities, dance history, dance icons models, local heroes and change-makers

YOUR IDEAS YOUR IDEAS

4 MAY 2021 2021

HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES May 1-3: Orthodox Easter June 20: Father’s Day May 9: Mother’s Day June 20: Summer Solstice May 13: Eid ul Fitr June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day May 24: Victoria Day CELEBRATION DAYS CELEBRATION DAYS June 1: Global Day of Parents May 1: Global Love Day June 8: World Oceans Day May 4: International Firefighters’ Day June 14: World Blood Donor Day May 5: National Day of Awareness for Missing June 21: National Selfie Day and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls June 21: International Day of Yoga May 5: International Day of the Midwife May 5: May 12: International Nurses Day MONTHLY THEMES May 20: National Caesar Day • End of school, summer activities for the May 25: National Wine Day kids, summer camps (in-person and virtual), graduations ideas MONTHLY THEMES • Outdoor wellness, safety, fitness • Seasonal foods, farmer’s markets, summer • Gardening: tips and tricks, products, tools, how- recipes, local food vendors, BBQ to, seasonal vegetables • Eat local, shop local, support local • Celebration of mothers, gift ideas, activities for • Outdoor activities: hiking, cycling, swimming, moms, local events, virtual celebrations ideas camping; gear and tools, products, must-haves • Summer prep ideas, preparing for a staycation • Celebrations of fathers, gift ideas, products and • Home renovations, DIY projects for the home, activities, local events, virtual celebrations planning your summer projects, building ideas, • Canadian Indigenous communities, culture and creating an at-home gym heritage, Indigenous-owned businesses and • Cottage season, camping ideas, hunting/fishing leaders, history and heritage products, the great outdoors

YOUR IDEAS YOUR IDEAS

5 JULY 2021 AUGUST 2021

HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES July 1: Canada Day August 2: Civic Holiday

CELEBRATION DAYS CELEBRATION DAYS July 3: International Plastic Bag Free Day August 1-7: World Breastfeeding Week July 7: World Chocolate Day August 1: World Lung Cancer Day July 17: Canada Parks Day August 2: International Beer Day July 18: National Ice Cream Day August 4: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day July 29: National Lipstick Day August 10: National S’mores Day July 30: International Day of Friendship August 13: International Lefthanders Day July 30: Food Day Canada August 15: World Honey Bee Day August 29: International Bacon Day MONTHLY THEMES MONTHLY THEMES • Beat the summer heat, staying cool, summer • Back-to-school prep: clothing trends, products, skincare and skin safety, sun protection tools, gadgets, themes around virtual vs. in- • More summer foods: cooling recipes, BBQ, person learning, school safety, mental health meat and meat alternatives, ice cream, chilled and school desserts, seasonal fruits • End of summer celebrations, family get-together • Deck reno, patio, outdoor space, landscaping, ideas, party themes lawn care, gardening • Golf: local courses, gear and gadgets, tips and • Outdoor activities for the kids, picnics, outdoor tricks, how to articles spaces, parks, national and provincial parks • The environment, nature, pollinators, local food, • Canada, Canadian heritage, Canadian history, canning/pickling Canadian pride, national heroes and leaders, Canadian geography YOUR IDEAS YOUR IDEAS

6 SEPTEMBER 2021 OCTOBER 2021

HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES September 6: Labour Day October 11: Thanksgiving Day September 7: Rosh Hashana October 31: September 16: September 22: First Day of Fall CELEBRATION DAYS October: Women’s History Month CELEBRATION DAYS October: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness September 4: World Sexual Health Day October 1-7: National Breastfeeding Week September 5: National Cheese Pizza Day October 4: National Taco Day September 8: International Literacy Day October 5: World Teacher’s Day September 12: Grandparents Day October 10: World Mental Health Day September 16: National Play-Doh Day October 11: International Day of the Girl September 21: International Day of Peace October 17-23: Small Business Week September 27: International Daughters Day October 21: National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day September 29: National Coffee Day September 30: International Podcast Day MONTHLY THEMES • Autumn foods, seasonal vegetables, recipes, MONTHLY THEMES pumpkin everything, Thanksgiving meals • Everything back-to-school: lunch ideas, after • Halloween, costumes, candy alternatives, trick- school snack recipes, sleep and school, getting or-treating safety, Halloween for grown ups, back to a routine, support for virtual learners, decorations, snacks, nutrition and Halloween support and safety for in-class learners • Outdoor activities for cool weather, walking, • Fall fashion trends, cozy clothing, upcycling, hiking, cool weather BBQ buying second-hand, reduce fast-fashion • Mental health, seasonal effective disorder • Health, wellness and fitness, achieving your (SAD), maternal mental health goals, stay motivated, refocusing after the • Small business support, shop local, BIPOC summer break, mindset, seasonal recipes, brands, women in business, female comfort food entrepreneurs, share your stories YOUR IDEAS YOUR IDEAS

7 NOVEMBER 2021 DECEMBER 2021

HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES November 4: December 6: Last Day of November 7: Daylight Savings Time Ends December 21: Winter Solstice November 11: Remembrance Day December 24: November 29: First Day of Hanukkah December 25: Christmas Day December 26: CELEBRATION & AWARENESS DAYS December 26: First Day of December 31: New Year’s Eve November: Movember November 1: World Vegan Day November 5: National Day CELEBRATION & AWARENESS DAYS November 9: World Freedom Day December 1: World AIDS Day November 13: World Kindness Day December 1: World Wildlife Conservation Day November 14: National Pickle Day December 6: National Day of Remembrance and November 19: International Men’s Day Action on Violence Against Women November 20: National Child Day December 10: Human Rights Day November 20-26: Canada History Week December 12: Gingerbread House Day November 21: National Red Mitten Day December 15: International Tea Day December 17: National Maple Syrup Day MONTHLY THEMES December 24: National Eggnog Day December 25: National Pumpkin Pie Day • Men’s health and cancer awareness • Canadian veterans, Canadian war history, MONTHLY THEMES Canadian history, Canadian heroes • Winter sports: skiing, skating, curling, hockey; • Surviving the holidays, self-care and mental tips, how-to, gear and products, benefits health, stress-reduction • Cold weather activity ideas (indoors and • Shopping tips, saving money, budgeting for the outdoors) holidays, shopping local, DIY gifts • Holiday Gift Guides • Charities and not-for-profits, volunteering • Comfort food recipes • Family, traditions, hosting ideas

YOUR IDEAS YOUR IDEAS

8 Disclaimer: Just for fun! This booklet was created by Wiltshire Media as a fun reference for the reader to generate content and story ideas. This is not a comprehensive lists of dates and/or observances. We took every effort to include the major Canadian holidays, as well as a variety of religious and cultural observances, however, due to time and space, we were not able to include everything! We did our best to ensure dates were correct at the time of publication, but we are human and mistakes happen. Please be kind, but let us know if a mistake was made.

We used the following resources to create this guide:

• TimeandDate.com (https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/) • National Day Calendar (https://nationaldaycalendar.com/) • 133 of the Weirdest National Holidays in a Canadian Year, Daily Hive (https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ canadian-national-days-how-to) • Holidays Calendar (http://www.holidayscalendar.com/countries/canada/)

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about anything you see here, please reach out to Elaine Kapogines at [email protected].

Happy Pitching!

9 Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell. - Seth Godin

10 Elaine Kapogines Owner + Lead Strategist

[email protected] www.wiltshiremedia.ca

@wiltshire_media