HELPS CLIENTS REACH FOR THE SKY

by Dan Lalande

And for the past twenty years, Smith and her business partner Tim Barber have done just that unwaveringly.

Founded in 2003, Bluesky is a full-service public affairs firm providing government relations, media communications, issue management, and event design for clients looking to influence public policy. The well-respected firm partners with industry, academia, government, media, not-for-profits, and Indigenous and cultural communities, affording access to a team of seasoned journalists, former staff and MPs, political commentators, and other influencers who know how to grab a newsroom’s attention. In so doing, Bluesky brings causes stuck in the shadows into the spotlight.

Before Bluesky, the Smith-Barber tandem had been co-workers at another firm. But they shared a vision for a company that would approach its work with a greater degree of creativity, a decided advantage in the crowded GR field. “We’ve always been able to keep our ideas, insights, and tactics fresh,” says Smith. “We’re always working to take it to the next level.”

That process starts with a clear assessment and a honest audit of a client’s intentions. Says Smith, “Their goals have to align with our principles. We have to believe that we can help them. If a client comes in and they're asking for something we do not think is achievable, we will tell them that.” Adds Barber, “We always recommend that it start with a strategy. Too often, people walk in and say,

‘We want to talk to this person...we want access to this or that.’ You're not going to get access if you haven't thought it through.”

Over the past twenty years, Bluesky’s guiding hand has provided the roadmap for a wide variety of interests; if it’s in the news, being debated in Parliament, or the latest federal law, there’s a good chance that Bluesky has a client who is interested in the outcome. “We work with our clients every step of the way,” adds Smith. “We look at what the issue is, seek a solution, then implement what it takes to achieve it.”

And don’t think Bluesky’s efforts ebb and flow with changes in government. Explains Barber, “The guardrails of our politics are narrower than we think. The machinery doesn't change that much.” Adds Smith, “Every member of parliament in every government has one objective: to serve their constituents and to get re-elected. And Canada has a professional public service that we can be proud of. When you understand that principle, you can always have good government relations.”

Or great ones, according to the word of mouth that continues to affirm Bluesky’s exalted standing. “When I ask people, ‘How did you hear about us?’, they say “Oh, it’s because you worked with so and so and they liked you.” says Smith, “It's reputational.”

Examples of the firm’s long history of converting creativity into advocacy include the famous “Spread the Net” campaign, in which Bluesky mailed bed nets to MPs who had to bring them to a malaria awareness-raising reception to get them shipped to Africa. In another innovative move, Bluesky staged movie nights on Parliament Hill to champion the Canadian film industry. The team also works closely with officials on the nuts and bolts of policies and programs, helping clients deliver effective messages to decision-makers.

“Our Bluesky team collectively has decades of connecting with people and businesses across this country—and beyond. We’re founding members of the Global Communications Alliance, a network of firms like ours all across the world. Our reach is local, provincial, national, and international,” added Barber.

As for the next twenty years, don’t expect Bluesky to slow down. Says Barber, “We are hardwired communicators.” blueskystrategygroup.com

By Steve Warne

In their 30th anniversary season, the Ottawa Senators continued to celebrate their past, officially retiring the number of their long-time tough guy, Chris Neil.

Neil addressed his fans with an excellent speech and turned emotional when thanking his mother, Bonnie, who died in a car accident in 2005.

"OBVIOUSLY, I WOULDN'T BE WHERE I AM TODAY IF IT WASN'T FOR MY MOM AND DAD," NEIL SAID, PAUSING TO GATHER HIMSELF. "MY MOM IS NOT HERE WITH US TODAY, BUT I KNOW SHE WOULD BE SO PROUD. SHE PUSHED ME TO BE THE BEST THAT I COULD BE. SHE DROVE ME THOUSANDS OF MILES SO I COULD PURSUE MY DREAM. I WOULDN'T BE THE PERSON I AM TODAY WITHOUT HER. I MISS HER AND I WISH SHE COULD BE HERE.

"BACK IN MY FIRST YEAR, WHEN I WOULD GET IN A FIGHT, WHICH HAPPENED QUITE A BIT, I WOULD RAISE MY HANDS AFTER THE FIGHT TO GET THE CROWD PUMPED UP. BUT THE REAL TRUTH BEHIND IT WAS TO LET MY MOM KNOW I WAS OKAY."

Neil also thanked his father and three older brothers, who were all in attendance. He praised his wife, Caitlin, and their three children for their ongoing support.

Back in November, Neil's family helped the Senators surprise him with the news. Neil just thought he was recording a standard promotional video.

Don Cherry was always fond of saying, “When a crusher tries to be a rusher, he’ll end up an usher.” Whether Neil was aware of the theory or not, he effectively subscribed to it and believes he played as long as he did because he fully embraced the crusher role the Senators needed.

Back in his OHL days, Neil had to make a choice about what would get him to the NHL. Some fans would be surprised to learn the right winger was a point a game player in his last two seasons with the North Bay Centennials – the club’s top scorer in that time frame. After the Sens drafted him, he looked at the Sens’ depth chart at right wing and saw the names Alfredsson, Marion Hossa and Martin Havlat.

It was immediately clear that Neil’s NHL opportunities as a scorer in Ottawa might be fairly limited.

But Neil could handle himself, even back then. He had no problems getting physical or sorting someone out, posting 446 minutes in penalties in those final two OHL seasons. When Ottawa needed someone to play the fourth line, tough guy role, Neil was ready.

That’s what he needed to do to play in the NHL, and for 16 years he did it beautifully. Neil was active from 2001 to 2017, with decent offensive numbers for a tough guy. He averaged just over 19 points per season.

But fans outside of Ottawa have spent the past couple of days debating whether a player like that deserves to have his number retired. Very few tough guys have their jerseys retired. What makes Neil the exception to the rule?

Well, we can start with longevity. Neil played 1026 regular season games and 95 more in the playoffs. That’s a hell of an NHL career for anyone, let alone a player who never took a shift off and would gladly throw his face in front of a slap shot if it would help his team win. The style of game he played was important, particularly in that era.

Neil seemed tireless and could change the tone of a game with a big timely hit or fight. He protected teammates, who all played a little bigger and stronger, confident that Neil had their back. And even though he’d often scrap with a smile on his face, the job was never easy. The role was physically brutal and frequently violent. Every new or veteran tough guy or random AHL call up would want to try and prove themselves against Neil. And more often than not, they failed.

Georges Laraque, probably the NHL heavyweight champion of his day, once referred to Neil and Riley Cote as, pound for pound, the toughest guys in the league.

Neil was part of the biggest runs of success the Senators ever had, going to all three conference finals in 2003, 2007 (also a Cup Final), and 2017.

No one else can say that. No one. Not even Alfredsson or Phillips, whose banners now hang beside Neil's.

“The 2007 run was, in my opinion, the best run out of all of them,” Neil said last year on the 15th anniversary of the Sens only Cup final appearance. “When Alfie scored that overtime goal in Buffalo in game 5 to send us to the final, the goal wasn't even the best part. It was when we got back to the airport and there were 15,000 people at the airport waiting for us and just enough for us to drive through high fiving everyone. I'm telling you right now, there are shivers going up my back thinking about it.

“A mural of that scene should be our arena somewhere. There were enough people at the airport to fill the stadium. As we were landing, the pilot said, 'Look out your windows, boys!' We looked out and it was unreal. You're on top of the world when you see something like that.”

Now throw in the intangibles of playing your entire career with one team and making Ottawa his home. Or his massive community involvement, even to this day. Or how popular he's been with the fan base throughout his whole career and into retirement.

This isn’t a Hockey Hall of Fame discussion, which trips a lot of fans up. It’s not the same at all. This is a hockey community honouring a 16 year love affair with a man who played in all the biggest games and literally bled for this franchise again and again.

That should be good enough for anyone, and if it's not, don't panic. The night wasn't meant for you. It was a night exclusively for Neil and the fans who love him.

By Steve Warne