Here's a question: when will companies stop using "surveys" to promote their strategic causes?
The latest "survey" comes from Canadian Satellite Radio and Sirius Radio Canada, and it suggests the Canadian economy will see a $2-billion benefit over the next decade if the CRTC approves the sale of satellite radio. Among those who will apparently reap the benefits of this satellite booty - according to CSR and SRC - are artists, retailers, auto makers and government agencies. It's just a matter of wanting to share the wealth, baby!
If money talked, the CRTC would turn around and give satellite radio the stamp of approval tomorrow. Unfortunately, this is Canada. We've got cultural issues to protect. If we let U.S. satellite companies into Canada and our local content rules were eased up or simply evaporated, the world might be deprived of talent such as Celine Dion or Loverboy or Bryan Adams!
So, do us all a favor and stop the survey insanity. They make for good radio clips but they're a lame PR ploy.

As expected, Richard Branson made a splash today with the launch of Virgin Mobile Canada. It was exactly what you'd expect from the billionaire entrepreneur as he rappeled from the top of a building to the ground where three scantily clad "nurses" were waiting for him. After an "impromptu" snowball fight with the nurses and the obligatory camera opps, the media circus moved inside for a Q&A where there were reporters from publications I never knew existed.
Now, the nuts of bolts of the offer. It's a simple pre-paid service with the first five minutes priced at 25 cents a minute and then 15 cents a minute for the rest of the day. The other compelling feature is the purchased minutes can be used over 120 days - good news for people who want a wireless phone but use it infrequently. Branson said Virgin Canada should have two million customers in a "handful" of years. You can expect Bell, Rogers and Telus to move quickly to deal with Virgin's different new offers, which will force a new battle for the pre-paid customer into a marketing war.

Virgin Mobile Canada is finally launching its much-hyped wireless service but you have to believe entrepreneur Richard Branson will find it a novelty to perform his promotiional magic in a foot of snow. Welcome to the Great White North, Mr Branson!
It appears the battle for pre-paid customers, which has been almost non-existent in Canada as carriers focus on ARPU, has already kicked off, and the first one out of the gate is none other than Virgin's Canada partner, Bell Canada. For whatever reason, Bell has slashed prices on its pre-paid calls by more than 80% after the first minute. Perhaps Bell figures if anyone is going to make the first move against Virgin, it might has been someone with a 50% stake in the new venture.
At last week's RBC Capital Marketing conferene in Banuff, Telus Mobility CEO George Cope lamented Bell's decision. Then again, there were no CEOs talking about lower prices for consumers. In fact, the general tone was higher prices were inevitable and justified given the large investments everyone has made in their operations. It didn't sound much like competition to me.