Multi-factor authentication becoming more prevalent

By Jeff Merrick

As security risks evolve, we need to ensure we’re doing our part to protect Advocate and our clients from cyber attacks. The company has begun using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and will roll it out to computer users over the summer.

Multi-factor authentication is a type of login that requires multiple keys to validate a user’s identity. For Advocate, it will involve two factors: something you know (your password), and something you have (a security token or cellphone).

For a user to be granted access to something, they must successfully present these two keys. You may already be using multi-factor authentication today to do things like secure online transactions, such as online banking or shopping. It’s increasingly becoming the industry standard for online security, as it’s much harder for an unauthorized user to hack.

leaderboard, cutting-edge data analysis, and continuous improvement measures by disseminating monthly surveys, and aggressive implementation of valuable feedback.

By enabling the sales team with more than 2,000 researched cold leads organized by category, the program has resulted in hundreds of potential new clients and has been responsible for more than 13 per cent of all of Advocate’s new accounts opened since the program’s launch. However, the greatest potential is yet unrealized. By fostering a culture of prospecting aimed at innovation and growth, and instilling accountability and commitment, the program has the potential to expand strategically and unlock the full capacity of our incredibly talented sales team here at Advocate.

Moreover, by collecting the right data from client interactions, the goal is to provide the team with concrete feedback and to answer questions that can guide prospecting efforts and ultimately increase operational effectiveness.

Advocate and JazzFest: making music together

By Jill George

Advocate has sponsored the TD Halifax Jazz Festival (HJF) for many years, plus been involved in the ad sales and design of the official program. This February, Advocate won the contract to handle all marketing, communications, and design for the festival and continues to support the festival via sponsorship and the program. HJF saw the value of Advocate’s ability to help the festival grow as its one-stop shop for marketing, communications, design, print, and signage.

“The festival had a missing piece from the operations standpoint and Advocate had the right team to fill the void,” says Fred Fiander, Advocate’s vice-president of media operations. “Our experience with the jazz festival gave us the opportunity to understand the organization and see how the various brand solutions Advocate offers would be beneficial for both parties.”

If you’re in the Halifax area, you’ve probably seen the fantastic “mind-blown about jazz” graphic, which ACG’s Dezza Nascimento designed, around the city, on buses and posters, in digital advertisements, and on social media.

Our marketing, photography, and videography teams will be on site venues throughout the city during the festival (July 11 to 16), capturing the ambience and experience.

HJF’s mandate includes the promotion and presentation of live performances, planning educational workshops (such as the renowned Creative Music Workshop), and creating opportunities for local talents. It brings renowned performers from many parts of the world to a city that doesn’t always find itself naturally on the maps for touring artists. The TD Halifax Jazz Festival, formerly known as the Atlantic Jazz Festival, is the oldest jazz festival and largest summer festival in Atlantic Canada, attracting up to 65,000 visitors, involving 400 volunteers, and booking more than 350 local musicians.

Captain Lighthouse

After defeating foes such as Rumour Monger, Doctor Spin, and Dead End over a decade ago, Captain Lighthouse took some time off, and now LighthouseNow’s beloved mascot has returned to battle the untruths and tell the real stories of Nova Scotia’s South Shore. Captain Lighthouse made his return at Liverpool’s Privateer Days on June 24 with a great reception from the hundreds lining the parade route.