The rest of this website is written in the third person (“Keith Tomasek is an award winning…”).

But I’m switching to the first-person narrative now to tell you a bit more about how I became interested in marketing.

“All the world’s a stage”

– William Shakespeare

I learned about the relationship between marketing and data from a rather unexpected place.

While I was studying theatre at John Abbott College, I put together a magic show as a street performer.

I learned quickly that I needed to offer something so eye-catching that it literally made people stop in their tracks, stay for the duration of my performance and then drop some money into the hat.

What makes them stop? What makes them part with their money?

By monitoring the smiles on their faces I learned to sharpen my act, which increased the amount of money I was making at each performance.

“Stories are a communal currency of humanity”

-Tahir Shah

That beginning allowed me to pursue another dream: film and television.

Funny how being a street performer taught me about the benefits of purposefully and meticulously analyzing market indicators to get results.

It’s cliché to say “it’s an honour,” but I’ll say it anyway.

What else is there to say when your comedic short film, about a man and his pig at an abandoned rocket range in Churchill, Manitoba, is shortlisted for an Academy Award?

It really was an honour, among many others.

The writing and producing I’ve done for TV  has been on the receiving end of several Gemini awards, a National Association of Television Programming Executives award and more.

And the “on-air” storytelling continues today with The Performer’s Podcast, a series that explores the creative process. With guests including Tony Award-winners Ken Davenport (Kinky Boots, Once On This Island) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone, The Prom) my podcast inspires and empowers people to achieve their best.

It received the “Best Cultural Series” award at the 2018 Canadian Podcasting Awards.

“If you become a teacher / By your pupils you’ll be taught”

– Oscar Hammerstein II

I’ve been a pupil a few times over.

Completing my Masters in Mass Communications from the University of Leicester reinforced what I had learned about the the quantitative and qualitative methods for analyzing all aspects of the communication process. It also opened my eyes to issues around communication policy and regulation.

My BA in Film Studies and English Literature from Carleton University sharpened my visual and text based communication skills.  I hold a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults from the University of Cambridge that was an essential step in my journey to help others gain the confidence to learn a new subject and the discipline to implement it in their daily lives.

I’ve also had the unique opportunity and privilege to share my years of experience and knowledge with the next generation of marketers, journalists and communicators.

My family and I spent three years living in the United Arab Emirates where I lectured at The American University of Sharjah, near Dubai. My students’ YouTube channel received over 1.7 million views and their blog on Arab media was nominated for an international journalism award by Reuters.

After returning to Canada, I worked at Western University where I lectured in the Master of Arts and Journalism program, and the Media Studies undergraduate program.

I was – and remain – incredibly interested in social media, especially its impact on business and society, which is part of the reason I was asked to launch Western University’s Certificate in Digital Communication program.

But the biggest reward from my teaching career has been the successes of my former students, who have gone on to do great things.

“Content is fire. Social media is gasoline.”

– Jay Baer

But of course you’re here for marketing. Let’s not forget that.

While I can’t single-handedly take credit for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring being a smashing success, I can tell you that the interactive marketing campaign I created with AOL and Warner Brothers, was by far, one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever worked on.

I was a Senior Interactive Media Developer with AOL when I created that campaign, which was one among many that I worked on with international brands, including RBC Royal Bank, HMV and Warner Brothers.

That’s also where I learned key skills including user experience and web analytics. Yes, those analytics again.

Since then, I’ve developed award-winning Facebook campaigns, helped clients with grassroots email campaigns and volunteered with local festivals. I’ve also spoken at international conferences.

And now?

I’m here to help you speak to – really speak to – your prospective clients, or the people who already purchase from you as well as your community partners and shareholders.

Your audience is waiting.