Canadian Synod to offer product placement to corporate sponsors: The Church of England Newspaper, April 23, 2010 p 6. April 30, 2010
Posted by geoconger in Anglican Church of Canada, Church of England Newspaper.trackback
First published in The Church of England Newspaper.
Product placement and corporate sponsorships have come to the Anglican Church of Canada. Under a scheme announced last week corporations are being invited to display their logos and distribute advertising materials for a fee at the church’s General Synod.
The top spot, for a “visionary” sponsor includes a private lunch with Archbishop of Canada Fred Hiltz, a “passport” to Synod for two, “branding opportunities” with “visionary level signage” throughout the conference including an hour’s advertising over the course of the convention’s video streaming and “company logo flags prominently displayed on every dining hall table.”
All this can by yours at the June 3-11 General Synod at St. Mary’s University in Halifax for only £20,000.
Three “supporter” tier sponsors will get a half-page advertisement in the synod directory, signage throughout the convention space, web-cast commercials and a “passport” to Synod for one, for only £5000, while “friends,” valued at £1650 will see their company’s name printed in Acts of Faith, the church’s gift guide.
“This event not only presents an opportunity for you to get your message out to delegates from across Canada, and it is also an opportunity for you to support a faithful group of community and not-for- profit leaders from across the country and their guests from around the world,” Archbishop Hiltz said.
The investment was worthwhile, he noted as the “delegates to General Synod are some of the most committed, dedicated and tireless volunteers in our country.”
The March 31 circular and letter from Archbishop Hiltz said the synod agenda would be “timely, relevant and important and includes debates, resolutions and presentations on major global issues such as poverty, human sexuality, the rights of indigenous peoples and the care of the environment.”
The Anglican Church of Canada has seen a precipitous decline in attendance and giving over the past quarter century. In November the Council of General Synod approved a £6.5 million budget that included an estimated £320,000 deficit. Expenses have exceeded income for the past ten years, however the Synod has pledged to eliminate deficits by 2012 and has cut costs and is seeking novel methods of raising income to support the national church’s operations.
