EXTRA! EXTRA! #BPTurns50 Aug 12th @BostonPizza turns the BIG 5-0! #Giveaway CAN 08/29

♪ ♫ "We are family, I got all my sisters with me. 

We are family, Get up ev'rybody and sing! 

Ev'ryone can see we're together, As we walk in by. 

Fly! and we fly just like birds of a feather, I won't tell no lie.

All! all the people around us they say, Can they be that close.

Just let me state for the record, We're giving love in a family dose." ♪♫

My siblings and I have been known to regularly channel our Sister Sledge and belt out our rendition of ♫ "We Are Family". We are all about traditions and celebrating life's important events. This is not to say we're stuck in a timewarp, we are dynamic, ever changing and evolving. We add new traditions and retire old ones, always remembering where we came from and how far we have come. 

More times than not our family traditions involve food and maybe a rewriting of the lyrics of a few of our favourite songs to fit the mood or an event, and it is that which our fondest memories are made of. As I approach my 29th birthday for the 22nd time, I realize Boston Pizza has played a part in many of those celebrations and memories over the years. On August 12th Boston Pizza is celebrating 50 years of being part of Canadians' lives and traditions, and like my family they have grown and evolved adding new menu items, and retiring others, all the while maintaining a tradition of value and service. 

It feels like they are part of the family, whether meeting my childhood friend with our kids for dinner (Oakville), or where the family gets together when I am in town for a visit - yep up to 18 of us (Oakville). Maybe it is one of the several times a year my parents and I meet at the halfway point for a quick lunch and a visit, because our schedules won't allow for a multi-day visit and the 6 hour drive each way (Kingston). It is where we go for lunch after bowling (Ottawa), where I met Sarah's (Journeys of the Zoo) kids for the first time (Barrhaven), and where my family goes for dinner (Kanata).

Cheers! Boston Pizza!

Happy 50th Anniversary!

#BPTurns50

Join in the celebration including $5 Individual Size Pizzas on August 12th, and coupons for additional discounts. Don't forget to try the Anniversary menu items available until Aug 17th, 2014.

What's an anniversary celebration without a party? 

You can enter to win one of 50! yes you heard me correctly ... I said 50 Pizza Parties for you and 29 of your favourite people! (valued at $2500) You can find #BPPizzaParty details at BPPizzaParty.com

No doubt about it 1964 is an excellent year! If I wasn't turning 29 again this year I would pick that year to be born! Be sure to check out some highlights of Boston Pizza's 50 year history at Boston Pizza's big 5-0 via Strategy . While reading I noticed the quote below and although I don't see my name specifically mentioned, I'm pretty sure it's about me, my humour and my quirky personality, since we all know I'm a celeb that should be endorsed. At least that's how I interpret it ... Yep just me thinking out loud again.  

"Its survival amongst its competition (it has a market share of 3.7% in the full-service category), is in large part due to tapping humour and building a quirky personality with celeb endorsements and unique product offerings."  

So like that wasn't enough to celebrate ... you can also enter to win 1 of 4 $20 Boston Pizza gift cards to help you start your own Boston Pizza tradition and celebrate Boston Pizza turning 50! 
Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about turning 50! 

Note: I was not compensated for this post. I have a great relationship with Boston Pizza and so pleased they have generously sponsored this giveaway for my readers. All opinions are my own and reflect my personal experience with this brand.

@BostonPizza Celebrates 50 Years #BPPizzaParty A Brand Stands the Test of Time

Sometimes I come across a brand that you actually look forward to engaging with. Not because of a contest, or giveaway but because you know the interaction will be fun, make you smile or feel good after the interaction. A brand that stands out in a crowd. Maybe it is the person behind the brand, but since the brand was smart enough to hire them, I will give them credit. 

I am not talking about the product or the service, because for me to spend my hard earned money quality and value has to be a given. In every industry there are products and services that are quality and comparable, so what sways me to buy one brand over another?

On social media there is a lot of noise. Chatter and promos, and I admit I contribute to the volume of chatter for sure. I answer tweets and questions tweeted out. Mostly it is silly chatter, but I watch and notice if brands respond, and how they respond. I notice if they reach out to people without prompting. Sure it is all about my ego, it makes me feel special, but I notice.

Another thing that I notice about brands is if and how they are involved and give back in the community, charities. If all things are equal in quality and price, then it is this that will differentiate one from another, and I notice.

That positive feeling extends to every time I use that brand's product, service or visit their establishment.

Boston Pizza  engagement has remained consistent for me. Fun interaction on social media, great service in the restaurants, and active giving back to the community. I look forward to chatting with them on twitter and facebook. I feel good about bring my friends and family there. 

So it is not surprising they have stood the test of time.

They are celebrating their 50th Anniversary this August with a special Anniversary Menu and a contest to win a Boston Pizza Party for you and 30 of your friends and family. 

#BPPizzaParty - Details

Join me in wishing Boston Pizza a Happy 50th Anniversary!

and good luck to those who enter the #BPPizzaParty Contest! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Boston Pizza (and maybe Bacon Carrot Cake)

Note: I was not compensated for this post in any way. In fact Boston Pizza will only know I have written this post once it goes live. I merely wanted to share with my readers a great contest, and give a well deserved shout out to a great brand.