Unlock the Power of Effective Communication!
Welcome to POWERGROUP Communications, where we believe that the quality of your communication is crucial to your success. Whether launching an exciting new brand, initiating a public awareness campaign, navigating a crisis, or aiming to enhance your leadership and media relations skills, we are here to elevate your efforts. With over 20 years of experience and a track record of delivering award-winning results, we pride ourselves on our reputation for trust and integrity. Our team is dedicated to taking your public relations and internal communications to new heights, ensuring that your message resonates and achieves the impact you desire. Don’t leave your communication to chance. Consultations are always confidential and complimentary. Reach out to us today and discover how POWERGROUP Communications can help you achieve your goals and create powerful connections that drive success!
SERVICES
Unlock the Power of Public Relations
In today’s fast-paced world, effective public relations is not just an option—it’s a necessity. Imagine transforming a challenging crisis into a unique recruitment opportunity or boosting your organization’s visibility to create meaningful connections with your audience. That’s precisely what we specialize in. We successfully guide clients through public relations crises and turn potential setbacks into strengths that attract talent and foster goodwill. Our social responsibility campaigns garner hundreds of thousands of views, igniting public awareness and rallying support for critical causes. Don’t just navigate crises—convert them into opportunities. Let us help you craft impactful public awareness campaigns that resonate with internal and external audiences—partner with us to elevate your communication strategies and make a real difference in your team, with customers and in your community.
“I am very thankful that you have helped with this messaging. I’m sure there will be other communication projects.”
10/2022
Unlock the Power of Branding
In today’s competitive landscape, your brand is more than just a logo or a catchy tagline—it’s the essence of who you are and how you connect with your audience. Our agency specializes in defining your brand’s uniqueness by ensuring it resonates deeply with your target audience’s expectations. Imagine a brand that stands out and delivers on its promise at every touchpoint. We don’t just help you design the look and language of your brand; we partner closely with your team to operationalize your vision. This ensures that everyone within your organization embodies and communicates your brand consistently. Our recent collaboration with the newly merged Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo garnered rave reviews, thanks to our consultative approach that fostered meaningful engagement among key internal and external audiences. The impact was profound, enhancing both reputation and loyalty. Additionally, we are proud to have played a pivotal role in launching the innovative York University School of Continuing Studies’ stunning new building and award-winning Let’s Continue social media campaign. Let us help you elevate your brand to new heights. We can create a brand experience that captivates and inspires, ensuring you meet and exceed your audience’s expectations. Reach out today and discover how we can transform your brand vision into reality.
“People are already trying to steal our name and brand!! I’m at a conference, and people LOVE it so much. I’ve dropped POWERGROUP a few times!!!” 05/2023
Unlock the Power of your Team
“Kudos to you…one of my staff said after the speech ~ your training with Laura is really paying off!”Unlock the full potential of your communication with our specialized training programs! How you engage with your audience—whether it’s your team, the media, or external stakeholders—can make or break your success. As a leader or organization, every word counts. That’s where we come in. Our expert training is designed to elevate your communication skills and adapt to your unique culture, goals, and timelines. Imagine the impact of delivering powerful presentations that resonate or mastering the art of leadership communication that propels you and your team to new heights. Join the ranks of those who have transformed their approach, like the Toronto Education Workers 4400 team, who were inspired and empowered by our Media and Assertive Communication Training. Or consider the numerous executive who have leapt forward in their careers thanks to our Leadership Communication program. Don’t leave your success to chance. Empower yourself and your team with the skills to engage effectively and make a lasting impression. Let’s collaborate to ensure your voice is not only heard but impactful!
“Kudos to you…one of my staff said after the speech ~ your training with Laura is really paying off!” 04/2023
POWERGROUP COMMUNICATIONS
Our team of caring, creative professionals believes in the power of communication to help our clients become more successful and reach their goals. For over twenty years, we have helped individual leaders, private companies and not-for-profit organizations throughout Canada excel in their internal and external communications. We are known for our strategic insight, inspirational training, impactful brands and powerful public awareness campaigns. Make us your first call:
LAURA BABCOCK
Our President Laura Babcock is sought after by national media for her communications and current affairs expertise. She appears regularly on CTV Newschannel and the I Heart Radio network. Laura also contributes op-eds to the Hamilton Spectator and hosts The Oshow. She was a television journalist, Executive Director of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce and taught Integrated Marketing and Communications at McMaster University. Laura has won numerous awards for her work and community leadership. If you want a trusted, experienced consultant on your team, make us your first call.
Client testimonials
I had an empowering leadership communication session with Laura Babcock today. She’s left me with lots to think about and practice. #thankful
Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, Interim Assistant Vice President
York University School of Continuing Studies
The AGE Team had the privilege of participating in a fantastic learning session with Laura Babcock from PowerGroup Communications. Focused on “Assertive Communication”, the session offered invaluable insights and practical strategies to enhance communication skills. We highly recommend this session for any organization looking to improve team communication and effectiveness. Thank you, Laura, for facilitating this impactful session, and a big thanks to all the staff who joined us and made it a success !
Advanced Gerontological Education (AGE) Inc.
More Testimonials
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I wanted to take this opportunity to THANK all of you for putting together the best Off Site Management meeting I have ever participated in. I knew from the moment I first met with Laura Babcock that I was on to something special and you proved me right. You all went out of your way to make sure our needs and objectives were not only clearly identified but also delivered. You exceeded all of our expectations and I truly look forward to working with all of you again. On behalf of the Philips Lighting Executive Team THANK YOU all very much.
Michael Gentile, Vice President & General Manager, Philips Lighting, Markham, Ontario
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I heard that you did an AMAZING job at the Julian Falconer media conference.
Ron Foxcroft, Fox40 International Inc., Fluke Transportation Ltd.
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Just wanted to say that you did a great job on Friday for the Media Launch of the new flyglobespan airline! Your team put on an excellent presentation.
Gord McNeil
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Laura and Powergroup team – The coverage over the past few days has been awesome. Thank you all for the hard work I know you’ve been doing.
Victoria Blainey, Manager of Public Relations and Marketing Lulu Enterprises, Inc. Canada
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Your extensive experience with event planning, public relations, promotion – especially with social media, issues of transparency and risk management was invaluable throughout the planning process and regular meetings.
Don Smith, Smith’s
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You and your company have made so many contributions to our community in Hamilton and beyond. I would also like to personally thank you for the work you have done with me in media training and for your past work with YWCA Hamilton.
Denise Doyle CEO, YWCA Hamilton
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Laura Babcock is an absolutely amazing event planner and master of ceremonies. I have worked with many event planners over the years, she is the best. Laura thank you so much for making Breaking Brad a success.
Former Cabinet Minister and City Councillor Brad Clark
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In a very competitive business, how rewarding to know that you continue to be seen as truly successful in the assistance you provide to so many. We are very pleased to continue to have such a rewarding working relationship with you Laura. Thanks for all that you provide to us.
Mrs. Lee Bingley, GM, Wards
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I have to tell you again, that was a fantastic campaign launch with coverage from almost every media outlet in the country! I’ve heard people say – and I am not kidding – that it was one of the best national media launches they’ve ever seen.
Chris Holz, The Adelaide Consulting Group Inc.
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We sought a communications expert who could hit the ground running, develop multiple options for action and was flexible and responsive to changing circumstances. Laura, you helped devise a communications strategy to meet our goals and worked with us to execute a plan. I would certainly recommend PowerGroup’s outstanding work to other organizations and look forward to collaborating with you on future projects.
Tom Cooper, Hamilton Round Table for Poverty Reduction
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I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your course.While many courses attract you with a lot of hype, your course actually delivered. Not only did I come away with the skill set, your leadership skills and friendly persona truly made learning an enjoyable experience.
Donna Hilts, Shaklee Canada Inc.
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Thank-you for taking us through such an efficient process which yielded clear outcomes (and will help move us forward with conviction). I really enjoy your facilitation style which gets to the heart of the matter quickly, is easy to understand and follow, and doesn’t allow for distractions to lead us astray.
Veronica Vanderborght, Regional Autism Providers Network of Ontario
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My firm contracted with Laura and her team to accomplish a number of things from Focus groups, rebranding, staff training, secret shopper to web updates and brochure development to mention some. We worked together for a number of months and I found the team members always positive, professional, committed and organized. If I had it to do over again, I would not hesitate to use their team again.
Ernie Morgan CFSP | President. Morse & Son Limited
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Working with POWERGROUP to develop a promotional video was a fantastic experience from beginning to end. Despite our tight timelines, POWERGROUP had no problem delivering a top notch product to meet our short deadline. We are excited to share the video with our stakeholders. Thanks again to Laura and her team!
Kelly Anderson, City of Hamilton
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We just completed our Management Meeting and the board is very impressed with your Strategic Marketing and Communications Plan and presentation. They all would like a copy of the full booklet with the colour ads, research results, etc.
Kerri Douglas, Executive Coordinator, Ontario Funeral Service Association
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Thanks so much for opening the door to this … we are being featured on CBC News: Morning weekly “Made In Canada” segment. I’m really excited about what this could do for the biz. I’m so relieved to have had some media experience to prep me for this huge opportunity.
Annette Brennan, Crock A Doodle Inc.
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The Powerful Marketing seminar presented by Laura Babcock, of Powergroup Communications, was in-depth, hip, well-delivered, and helped us analyze our firm’s branding, advertising and marketing programs, in terms we hadn’t considered before. We felt our message has been delivered very well, until Laura showed us how to tweak and add muscle to our company’s brand marketing campaign. Also Laura shared valuable insight for taking advantage of “no-cost” business promotion, and effective “cause” marketing efforts. If you’re interested in promoting your business and increasing your market share, find the opportunity to hear Laura speak….and pay attention!
Kevin C. Weaver, Weaver Family Funeral Homes
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Thanks for the invitation to the OFSA Marketing Session, we found it most helpful to be reminded of how important our image is in everything that we do and to project the image that we portray. Laura Babcock was an excellent presenter and because of her in-site we have already changed many of our past advertising practices and we are now more clearly focused on making sure we are what we say we are.
Brian Parent, Families First, it’s everything we do.
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Thanks for your time today. I appreciate so much the depth of marketing and public relations experience from which you speak. HPO is fortunate to have you on the Board.
Alex Baran, Executive Director, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
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I wanted to take the time to update you since our successful event last year – owed in most part to POWERGROUP Communications. CFKA has established a real momentum since last January, building a good working board, with all of its participants fully engaged and propelling the organization forward. In my opinion, this is giant step forward, and again is owed in most part to the event that we organized this year with POWERGROUP’s guidance. I personally felt it necessary to communicate this with you, as you were the key to opening all the doors that have in this past year and I wanted that to be recognized.
Victoria Long Wincza, Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts
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VIP Grand Opening of Bay Gardens Hamilton was billed as the “Event of the Summer”
The Hamilton Spectator, August 12, 2008
I just wanted to send you a little note to say congratulations on organizing a great event last night. I’ve rarely been to events of that size where the official presentations were so tight. Well done!
Chris Charlton, MP, Hamilton Mountain
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Thank you Laura! Congratulations on another ‘event of the century’. Everything was perfection.
Karin Vogt, Pearson-Dunn Insurance
Our people had a great time over the last week-end at our Second Annual CMX Research National Educational Conference. Thank you again for all your hard work in making our event a success!
Vilija Rasutis, CMX Research Inc.
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I wanted to extend a huge Thank You to you and Kaitlin for spending the day with the sales team BOOT CAMP. Your messaging really impressed on the team the importance of proper communication and need for a team effort to reach objectives. From a personal standpoint, I appreciated your approach and professionalism at every level.
Daniel Rodrigues, Director of Advertising, Dynasty Communications Inc.
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What a night! All expectations were 100% bang on – and THEN SOME! Thank you once again Laura for your team’s efforts in bringing it together – nothing but positive feedback all day from staff and clients and alike!
Bob Lawrie, CAIB (Hons.),Vice President, Dan Lawrie Insurance Brokers Ltd
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I wanted to tell you how impressed I was with the entire event. Kudos to you for making this look like a walk in the park. The event was beautifully executed and the content highly relevant and compelling. Being new to the Hamilton area I was hoping for and received a great education in the challenges we all face living and/or working in this community. Bravo! and I look forward to next year’s conference!
Suzanne Carpenter, General Manager, AM 900 CHML
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It has taken half of my day to get enough fog from my brain to put some words down to THANK YOU for your successful, therefore our successful, Grand Opening event. That must naturally mean I had a great time and I did. So did everyone here. We were all receiving e-mails and phone calls today congratulating us on our opening and our successful evening. We made the news…twice. The bottom line is…You Are Terrific!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you! The building, both inside and out looked spectacular. The catering was wonderful (so I’ve been told) and the wine… Laura – thank you so much for agreeing to MC this event for me. As always you made this the professional event it was supposed to be. I know that to you this is “just another event” but believe me, to us it was the event of the year and with your help it was all it should have been.
Pat Legato, Assante Wealth Management
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Laura and her team did a superb job of creating just the right ambience for you and your guests at your Grand Opening.
Rosemary Russell, Rosemary Russell and Associates
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Let me say that Powergroup Communications is one of the most professional, organized and dynamic event planning organizations I have ever had the pleasure of working with. As a special events producer for Hamilton’s local specialty channel, Cable 14, I work with many individuals and organizations in the event planning business. In truth, I’ve found that many lack the experience, contacts and resources to really effectively plan and execute major events. It can be frustrating experience working with these planners. Not so in the case of Powergroup Communications. Their events, presentations, press releases, media hosting and other communications are always top notch. More importantly, the group is so organized and reliable, that I generally agree to automatically provide full coverage of their events-as they are always so smoothly executed, and importantly, ALWAYS on time and on schedule. I highly recommend the services of this top-flight event planning / communications company.
Steve Coulson, Cable 14 Producer.
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I wanted to say thank you to all who helped to make Diversity Works March, 2007 an outstanding conference event. I had warned Linda that always when one runs a special event there are glitches and hiccups. I cannot recollect one for this event. I want to thank the team at Powergroup Communications for all their hard work in making things run like clock work. Laura made those vital media connections that promoted the event so well in the community. Also, Laura we appreciate your good work in MCing the event and your idea for the HIWIN launch.
Judy Travis, Executive Director, Hamilton Training Advisory Board
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Thank you to the Power Group team for that great organization , planning and the smooth way that the March 2007 HCCI launch day was conducted. It was also helpful to have all your Support Persons.. IT and Photographer and team members. Thank you for your great work.
Madina Wasuge, Executive Director, Hamilton’s Centre for Civic Inclusion
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Thanks Laura. Your advice was very useful.
Gerry Connelly, Director of Education, Toronto District School Board
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We just completed our Management Meeting and the board is very impressed with your Strategic Marketing and Communications Plan and presentation.
Kerri Douglas, Executive Coordinator, Ontario Funeral Service Association
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Let me say how appreciative we all are for the work you and your firm did for Shelternet!
Bridget Goldsmith, President, Shelternet
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You are fast and good (at editing).
Nancy Freeman, Surrey Place, Toronto
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The Walter Booth tribute video was excellent. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. I think the photo in the The Hamilton Spectator was taken during the video by the look of the response on Peter’s face. Thank you.
Terry Milson, McMaster University
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We’re working on getting the webfiles up and updating our website this week. That way your potential clients will also be able to see a sample of the amazing video you put together for us.
Leslie Quinsay, Tricogent Investments
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To help spread the word about the McMaster research park and encourage private sector involvement, university officials [and POWERGROUP] have put together an engaging and readily understandable video presentation that was presented at the Industry Education Council breakfast.
The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday, October 20, 2005
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The video has turned out very good. You and your team did a great job!
Greg Peterson, Action International
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Laura, Thank you so much for all your help as Emcee with the Applause and Accolades event. The feedback was positive – everyone really enjoyed themselves. Thanks for keeping us on track and your attention to detail.
Terry Milson, Faculty of Engineering, McMaster University
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Laura Babcock absolutely dazzles as an emcee.
Suzanne Bourret, The Hamilton Spectator, 2005
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It was wonderful to meet you at the Canadian Guild of Hair Design Dinner at the Drake Hotel in Toronton. You are beautiful and on stage your presence is absolutely electric.
Lisa Weiss, President, Volunteer Committee, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa
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Oh, thank-you Laura! You did an awesome job, and your professionalism and knowledge of the issues in the community were evident. We are very grateful for the polish that you added to our event.
Nancy Duce, Member Products Manager, REALTORS Association of Hamilton-Burlington
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Just a short note to thank you for the enjoyable evening last Friday. The Mayor’s Gala tribute was very well done and it was nice to see and speak to my fellow Mayors that evening. The monies raised for the United Way were significant and you deserve congratulations for a job well done.
Bob Bentley, Mayor of Grimsby
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Congratulations on your great successes stories that I am hearing and watching. You made us all proud that how a company like POWERGROUP communications can be run.
Jahan Zeb, Hamilton’s Centre for Civic Inclusion
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Thanks SO much for the Mayor’s Gala Friday night. You guys did an AWESOME job and kudos to you Laura, and the PowerGroup team! We watched the Gala production on CHTV on Saturday night from the cottage (Buck Horn) – excellent job.
John Murray, Stephensons Rent Alls
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I was a member of the audience during the release of the Safety Panel report and was very impressed with how you managed the large media presence. You made it look so easy.
Rosa Pagliaroli, Toronto District School Board