Target runs first TV ad as Cranbrook store set to open later this spring

Target Canada unveiled a national brand TV spot which followed Target’s mascot dog, Bullseye, on a journey across Canada, highlighting local landmarks and touching on a number of cultural nuances along the way.

The spot debuted during the recent Academy Awards broadcast across Canada.

Interestingly Target Canada purchased the rights to the Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood theme song and gave creative licence to their creative agency to give it a unique twist.

Livia Zufferli, Target Canada’s advertising director said it’s the first time the Fred Rogers estate has sold the rights to the song. (The song even has a little-known tie to Canada: According to the CBC’s website, “Fred Rogers came to Canada in 1963 to develop the children’s series Miste Rogers. It aired on CBC for three seasons as a 15-minute program,” before its eventual run on PBS.)

Cranbrook was one of the few small market Zellers stores in Canada that is being converted to a Target. Hiring is underway at the Cranbrook store with Target holding numerous career day events.