Nov. 28, 2019
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – Wilfrid Laurier University has many experts available to speak about topics related to the holiday season, including religious traditions, marketing and retail, and history.

Retail and marketing

Brad Davis, associate professor of marketing in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, is an expert on brand communications and strategy, consumer behaviour, and ethical issues in marketing communications. He is available to comment on holiday marketing and branding. Contact: bdavis@wlu.ca.

Sarah Wilner, Laurier Chair in Brand Communication and associate professor of marketing at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, is an expert on branding; consumer behaviour and consumer culture, products and services; product design, trends and innovation; and marketing communications (including advertising). Contact: swilner@wlu.ca or 416.817.4430 (mobile).

Ebrahim Mazaheri is an assistant professor of marketing in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. He is an expert on online shopping and consumer behaviour and social media marketing. Contact: emazaheri@wlu.ca or 519.884.0710 x3472.

Shirley Lichti is a marketing instructor in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. She is an expert in marketing communications and customer service and has an extensive background in sales, marketing, advertising and promotion. She started her own marketing communications consulting company after 14 years working at IBM. She has also written a marketing column for the Waterloo Region Record. Contact: slichti@marketingmagic.ca or slichti@wlu.ca.

Children, toys and media

Lisa Wood is an associate professor in Youth and Children’s Studies and English. She is an expert on children’s popular culture, marketing and media and is available to speak about gift shopping for children and expectations on parents at Christmas. Contact: lwood@wlu.ca or 519.756.8228 x5755.

History, religion and culture

Cynthia Comacchio is a professor in the Department of History. She is an expert on the history of childhood, gender and families in Canada and the social and cultural impacts of war in Canada. She would be able to provide a history of how families have celebrated Christmas over the years.

David M. Haskell, associate professor in Laurier’s Digital Media and Journalism and Religion and Culture programs, is an expert on the decline of Christianity in Canada. His research into the factors causing churches to grow or die has been covered by national and international news outlets, including Maclean’s, Christianity Today, The Guardian and the Washington Post. Academically, he has also published on the topics of Jesus in popular culture; adult and youth religious engagement; and the portrayal of Christianity in the media. Contact: 519.756.8228 x5808 or dhaskell@wlu.ca.

Anne Anderson is an adjunct faculty member and the community pastor at thirdspace_, an alternative worshipping community at Martin Luther University College. She is available to speak about alternative worship and new ways to encourage youth and young adults to explore and connect with their faith. Contact: ananderson@luther.wlu.ca or 519.884.0710 x3530.

Chris Klassen, faculty member in Laurier’s Religion and Culture program, is an expert on Paganism and its history and can speak about how elements of Winter Solstice celebrations have become incorporated into the modern symbolism of Christmas, such as Christmas trees, Yule logs and decorative lights. Contact: cklassen@wlu.ca.

Michel Desjardins, professor emeritus in Laurier’s Religion and Culture program, is an expert on food, culture and religion. He would be able to comment on the role of feasting during the holidays and throughout the year for many religions. Contact: 250.915.7272 or mdesjardins@wlu.ca.

New Year’s Resolutions

Anne Wilson, professor in the Department of Psychology, is an expert on self-identity and goal setting. She is available to comment on how people think about their past and future, how they set goals and why they succeed or fail at these goals. Wilson has also researched how landmarks, such as New Year’s Day, are symbolic turning points and how this can affect our motivation to make changes. Read Wilson’s tips on how to make New Year’s resolutions successful. Contact: awilson@wlu.ca or 519.573.9027 (cell).