Brand Envy #Canada

Summary

Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly – Episode: Brand Envy #Canada

Release Date: March 22, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Under the Influence, host Terry O’Reilly delves into the vibrant landscape of Canadian brands, celebrating those that have not only thrived domestically but have also made significant inroads internationally. Through engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, Terry highlights the unique qualities that make these brands stand out in competitive markets.

---

Celebrating Canadian Excellence

Terry begins the episode by introducing the theme: honoring Canadian brands that have demonstrated exceptional uniqueness, resilience, and lasting impact. He emphasizes that these brands share a common trait—they have all "taken off" in their respective industries, growing beyond national borders to achieve global recognition.

---

1. Aldo Shoes: A Fast-Fashion Success Story

Terry O’Reilly discusses Aldo Shoes, highlighting its founder Albert Bensidoun’s journey and the brand’s rapid scalability.

• Origins and Vision: Aldo was founded in 1972 by Albert Bensidoun (referred to as Aldo), who initially had no intentions of entering the shoe industry despite his family’s background in footwear. A serendipitous trip to Montreal reignited his passion, leading him to establish Aldo Shoes after successfully selling 60 pairs of clogs designed for the French Canadian market within days.

• Fast Fashion Model: Aldo’s success is attributed to its ability to bring products to market swiftly. Unlike the typical 17-week turnaround in the fashion industry, Aldo achieves this in under 12 weeks. This agility allows the brand to respond rapidly to market trends, a strategy that set them apart from competitors.

• Innovative Marketing: Terry notes Aldo’s bold marketing tactics, such as investing in prominent billboards across major American cities and strategic product placements in Hollywood. This approach not only increased brand visibility but also established Aldo as a formidable player in the international market.

• Global Presence: Today, Aldo operates over 2,000 stores worldwide, employs 20,000 people, and serves over 2 million customers annually. The brand continues to aspire to become the largest footwear brand globally, positioning itself alongside giants like Adidas and Nike.

Notable Quote:

"Fast. Fashion sells fast. And there it was. The key to the success of Aldo Shoes. The retailer brings products to market lightning fast by boasting the quickest turnaround time in the biz." – [07:31]

---

2. Catelli: Honoring Heritage Through Pasta

Terry shifts focus to Catelli, a Canadian pasta brand with deep historical roots.

• Founding Story: Carlo Catelli, an Italian immigrant who arrived in Montreal in 1845, founded Canada’s first pasta plant on St. Paul Street in Old Montreal. His passion for honoring his Italian heritage led to the establishment of a successful pasta business that played a pivotal role in developing Montreal’s Little Italy.

• Product Line and Legacy: Over the decades, Catelli expanded its product lineup to include over 75 pasta varieties. Despite being acquired by a Spanish company, Catelli remains a symbol of Canadian success, maintaining its reputation for quality and authenticity.

• Cultural Impact: Terry highlights that Catelli not only provides a beloved staple in Canadian households but also represents the enduring legacy of immigrant entrepreneurship in shaping Canada’s culinary landscape.

---

3. Lee Valley Tools: Craftsmanship and Ethical Business Practices

Terry explores the story of Lee Valley Tools, a company that stands out in the competitive tool industry through its commitment to quality and ethical business practices.

• Humble Beginnings: Founded in 1978 by Leonard Lee, a native of Wadena, Saskatchewan, Lee Valley Tools started as a part-time mail-order business selling parts for cast iron barrel stoves. The business quickly grew, necessitating the transition to a full-time operation.

• Unique Market Positioning: Unlike many tool companies dominated by big-box retailers, Lee Valley carved out a niche by offering high-quality woodworking tools, gardening gadgets, and kitchen equipment. The company’s products often feature brutally honest descriptions, adding a touch of humor and authenticity that resonates with customers.

• Company Culture: Lee Valley Tools is renowned for its fair and transparent business practices. Founder Leonard Lee instituted a policy where no executive earns more than ten times the wage of the lowest-paid employee. Additionally, the company has never laid off a staff member, even during economic downturns. Employees enjoy a profit-sharing model, receiving 25% of pre-tax profits annually, fostering a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.

• Customer Empowerment: The company empowers its staff to make decisions independently, ensuring exceptional customer service without the need for managerial approval. This philosophy stems from Leonard Lee’s experience in government, where he observed the negative effects of high responsibility paired with low authority.

Notable Quote:

"What makes Lee Valley Tools so unique isn't their tool selection. It's their company culture." – [19:24]

---

4. Sabian Cymbals: From Meductic to the World Stage

Terry shares the fascinating evolution of Sabian Cymbals, a leading name in the music industry.

• Historical Roots: Sabian was founded by Bob Zildjian in 1981 in Meductic, New Brunswick. The Zildjian family has a long-standing heritage in cymbal manufacturing dating back to 1623, originally producing cymbals for the Ottoman army.

• Growth and Innovation: After a family split in the company, Bob Zildjian established Sabian Cymbals, naming the company by combining the first two letters of his children’s names: Sally, Billy, and Andy. Sabian quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality cymbals used by renowned musicians like Phil Collins and Ringo Starr.

• Market Dominance: Today, Sabian holds 40% of the global cymbal market, with distribution in 120 countries. The company remains family-owned and is the largest employer in Meductic, showcasing its significant impact on both the local community and the global music industry.

Notable Quote:

"Sabian has become the symbol of symbol." – [21:08]

---

5. The Friendly Giant: A Television Pioneer

Terry concludes his brand admiration segment with a nostalgic look at The Friendly Giant, a beloved Canadian children’s television program.

• Creation and Concept: Created by Bob Humme, The Friendly Giant debuted on CBC in 1958. The show featured Rusty the rooster and Jerome the giraffe, voiced by Rod Cunnybear, who improvised the characters’ dialogues and interactions. The program was meticulously crafted to cater to young children, with each 15-minute episode filled with kindness, wonder, and educational content.

• Cultural Impact: Over 3,000 episodes were produced from 1958 to 1985, making The Friendly Giant a cornerstone of Canadian children’s programming. The show’s influence extended beyond entertainment, fostering a sense of trust and warmth among its young audience without resorting to commercialization.

• Legacy: Terry emphasizes the enduring legacy of The Friendly Giant, noting that even decades later, the show remains a cherished memory for many Canadians. The consistent quality and heartfelt approach of the program exemplify what it means to build a lasting and influential brand.

Notable Quote:

"The Friendly Giant checks all the boxes when it comes to a famous brand. It was original, it was consistent, it influenced millions of Canadian kids." – [21:08]

---

Conclusion: The Essence of Great Canadian Brands

Terry O’Reilly wraps up the episode by reflecting on the common threads that tie these diverse brands together:

• Resilience and Adaptability: Each brand has demonstrated the ability to adapt to changing markets and overcome challenges, whether through innovative business models, ethical practices, or strategic marketing.

• Cultural Authenticity: These brands maintain a strong connection to their Canadian roots, infusing their products and operations with a sense of local identity and pride.

• Commitment to Quality and Values: From Aldo’s fast fashion to Lee Valley’s ethical business practices and Sabian’s musical excellence, each brand prioritizes quality and steadfast values, earning the loyalty and admiration of consumers.

Terry concludes by celebrating these brands as shining examples of Canadian ingenuity and determination, embodying the spirit of the Great White North.

Final Thoughts:

"It takes pluck and luck to build a good brand. It takes fortitude and vision to build a great one. We certainly have our fair share of them. But what else do you expect from the Great White north when you're under the influence?" – [21:08]

---

Production Credits

Recorded at Pirate Toronto.

• Host: Terry O’Reilly
• Series Producer: Debbie O'Reilly
• Sound Engineers: Keith Ullman and Jeff Devine
• Themed By: Casey Pick, Jeremiah Pick, and James Ayton
• Research: Abby Forsythe

Stay Connected

Follow Under the Influence on Twitter and Instagram at @erryoinfluence for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

---

This episode of Under the Influence offers a heartfelt and comprehensive exploration of Canadian brands that have left an indelible mark both at home and abroad. Through Terry O’Reilly’s insightful storytelling, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication, innovation, and cultural pride that drive these brands to success.

Transcript

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Hi there. Sydney O'Reilly here.

[Terry O'Reilly]

We regret to inform you that the Rejection Podcast is back for its sixth season and Terry and I have some.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Fun episodes to share with you.

[Terry O'Reilly]

This year we'll be telling the stories.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Of Yellowstone, Josh Allen, Bill Hader, Monty.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Python, Billie Holiday, and Canada's own Alanis Morissette. It's jagged little rejections this year on we regret to inform you. Hope you'll join us.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Bookmark your love story with a modern classic engagement ring from bluenile.com for 25% off engagement settings. Individually handcrafted for one of life's most meaningful traditions, Blue Nile engagement rings come in a range of timeless settings, from classic solitaire to elegant halo and a spectrum of stones to meet every budget and style. Discover the perfect ring to help you pop the question and get 25% off engagement [e-mail] that's bluenile.com for 25% off engagement settings.

[Bob Zildjian]

Come on down to Boost Mobile and.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Turn your tax refund into six months of savings. Nope, all wrong. You're on the radio touting Boost Mobile's 5G network. You gotta use your radio voice like this. Come on down to Boost Mobile and get six months free when you buy. Six months on our best unlimited plans. Now you go. This is just how my voice sounds. Just say it like you mean it. Okay. Plus, enter to win up to $10,000 and double your tax refund. Oh, my. Requires upfront payment, tax and fees. Ext and exclusions apply. Visit boostmobile.com for full number terms and sweeps details.

[Leonard Lee]

Dear old work platform, it's not you, it's us. Actually, it is you. Endless onboarding, constant it bottlenecks. We've had enough. We need a platform that just gets us. And to be honest, we've met someone new. They're called Monday.com and it was love at first. Onboarding. Their beautiful dashboards, their customizable workflows got us floating on a digital cloud. 9. So no hard feelings, but we're moving on. Monday.com the first work platform you'll love to use.

[Terry O'Reilly]

You can listen to this episode ad free on Amazon Music. This is an Apostrophe podcast production. This encore episode seems timely, and we thought you might want to give it a listen. We're going to show you our big new Studebaker. Mama mia. That's a spicy meatball. What love doesn't conquer. Alka sells her will. What a relief you're under the influence with Terry O'Reilly.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Tired of ordinary television?

[Terry O'Reilly]

Don't touch that dial SCTV is now on the air. From the moment. The moment Bob and Doug McKenzie first appeared on SCTV, they were a huge hit. Two hilarious hosers from the Great White North. But what you may not know is why Bob and Doug McKenzie were on SCTV. When the show was being aired on CBC, it was also being syndicated to the US at the same time. But the length of the CBC program slot was two minutes longer than the American SCTV version. So SCTV needed two minutes of additional material. The CBC producers asked SCTV to come up with an idea, but with one stipulation. The additional two minutes had to be identifiable Canadian content. This struck Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis as a ridiculous request. The entire show was filmed in Canada. The performers were Canadian, the writers were Canadian, and the crew was Canadian. How much more Canada could there be? So Thomas and Moranis decided to give them exactly what they asked for. They created a two minute segment that contained every single Canadian cliche they could think of. Oh, good day, good day, good day.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Cool. Ooh, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool. Ooh, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Good day. How's it going? I'm Bob McKenzie. This is my brother Doug. How's it going? Ay, today we got two topics today. Back bacon and long underwear. You know the drill. They wore toques, earmuffs and plaid shirts. They drank beer, ate back bacon and enjoyed smokes. They sat in front of a giant map of Canada labeled the Great White North. Each segment had a topic, which was usually beer, back bacon, long underwear and donuts. Every Great White north bit began with this signature sound, Coo loo coo coo.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Coo coo coo coo coo loo coo coo coo coo coo.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Which was a parody of the familiar flute in the hinterlands who's who nature vignettes that ran forever on cbc. Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis would ad lib Canadian cliches until they had enough material to fill two minutes. Okay, what's the topic? The topic is why are parking lots so small at donut places?

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Okay.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Way to go. Anyway, so like last night we were at Donut World and like, it's got like 20 tables, eh? But it only has like eight spots in front, right? The McKenzie brothers didn't just make Canadians laugh. The Great White north segments were added to the syndicated US shows and Americans loved it. Bob and Doug McKenzie became so popular that they recorded a comedy album called, of course, the Great White North. The record also contained a song called Take off. Rick Moranis had gone to public school with Getty Lee from Rush, so he invited Getty to sing on the track. The song was co written by Cary Crawford, who is one of my partners at Pirate. It climbed to number 16 on the American Billboard charts, charting higher, by the way, than any Rush single ever has. The Great White north album peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200 album chart. It stayed at number one in Canada for six straight weeks. It won the Juno for Comedy Album of the Year and was nominated for a Grammy. One million albums were sold in North America, with 350,000 of those sold in Canada earning a triple platinum record which still hangs proudly in Pirates Recording Studios. Next would come a major motion picture. It was amazing what a little bit of Canadian content could could lead to. It's also interesting what a little bit of Canadian content can lead to in the world of marketing. Welcome to the annual episode celebrating Brands I Admire Today's brands are all Canadian. I admire them because they're unique, because they've endured, and because they've made a lasting impression on Canadians and in some cases the world. The brands today have one thing in common. They all took off.

[Bob Zildjian]

You're under the influence.

[Terry O'Reilly]

There are many successful Canadian brands. They do incredibly well in Canada. And then there are some that do surprisingly well around the world. Take Aldo the shoe Company just may be the most successful global retailer Canada has ever built. But few people actually know that Albert Bensidoon, also known as Aldo, began the Aldo chain in the early 70s. But Bensidoun never intended to get into the shoe business. With his grandfather working as a cobbler in Algeria and his father a shoe retailer in Morocco, Aldo decided to take a different path. The budding engineer studied in Paris and New York before a chance trip to Montreal left him enamored with the city. He then transferred to McGill University to study business. It was there that Bensadoun took a job at a plastics company that sold a shrink wrap system to a shoe brand. Before he knew it, he was pulled back into the shoe business. From there, he managed a small footwear chain, then mortgaged his house to buy the shoe division of Le Chateau, a Montreal based fashion and Accessories Company. In 1972, Aldo the company was born. But Benzedun doesn't credit his initial success to genetics. He credits it to clogs. One day he took a trip to Italy, where he noticed all the young people were wearing wooden clogs. The trend gave him an idea. Benzedun would bring the hippie heel back to Montreal he designed 60 pairs of clogs for the French Canadian market. They sold out within days. Benzedun would go on to sell 500,000 pairs. That's when it hit him. Fast. Fashion sells fast. And there it was. The key to the success of Aldo Shoes. The retailer brings products to market lightning fast by boasting the quickest turnaround time in the biz. While most Companies take around 17 weeks to get a shoe on the shelf, Aldo can do IT in under 12. Head office receives hourly sales numbers rather than weekly, enabling them to make faster decisions. Benzedun is a strong believer that fashion starts on the street and mirrors the political and economic climate. For example, in the early 2000s, his team introduced a combat style boot using distressed leather in reaction to the war coverage they were seeing on the evening news every night. It was a huge success. Trend based fashion would become Aldo's differentiator in a trillion dollar industry. But Aldo also marketed itself in unique ways. When the brand was moving into the states, it made a splash by investing in killer billboards. The biggest, most seen billboard in each major American city. It made Aldo appear bigger than it really was. The company also promoted itself with strategic product placement. In Hollywood, movie and television credits would say shoes by Aldo. Which prompted people to ask, who is this Aldo? It was smart marketing. By doing that, Aldo expanded the perception of his company long before he expanded the operations of his company. This bold marketing and fast fashion agility is why the shoe retailer has succeeded not only in the US where many other Canadian retailers have failed, but in Europe, the Middle east and Asia as well. Today, Aldo Group is still family owned. It umbrellas five very successful divisions with 2,000 stores, 20,000 employees and over 2 million customers visiting each year. Not many Canadian companies can say that, but even a retailer as accomplished as Aldo still has a goal to become the largest footwear brand in the world. Among the competitors, Adidas and Nike. They're big shoes to fill. But who knows that territory better than Aldo? Don't go away. We'll be right back.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Your old or broken phone can let you down when you need it most.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Perfect.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

But at Verizon, trade in any old phone from our top brands and get the most for it. Up to $2,000 in value for an amazing new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intell and a new line on my plan and iPad and Apple Watch Series 10. That's like a three for one and you can get it on any plan at Verizon. Trade in your old phone for a brand new iPhone 16 Pro, iPad and Apple Watch. The other guys won't give you that. Visit verizon.com today. Additional terms apply Service plan required for Apple Watch and iPad up to $2,000 value based on iPhone, iPad and Apple.

[Leonard Lee]

Watch Work management platforms ugh. Endless onboarding. IT bottlenecks admin requests but what if things were different? Monday.com is different. No lengthy onboarding, beautiful reports in minutes, custom workflows you can build on your own easy to use prompt Free AI Huh? Turns out you can love a work management platform. Monday.com the first work platform you'll love.

[Bob Zildjian]

To use if you wear glasses, you know how hard it is to find the perfect pair. But step into a Warby Parker store and you'll see it doesn't have to be. Not only will you find a great selection of frames, you'll also meet helpful advisors and friendly optometrists. Yep, many Warby Parker locations also offer eye exams. So the next time you need glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses or a new prescription, you know where to look. To find a Warby Parker store near you or to book an eye exam, head over to warbyparker.com retail.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Another brand I admire was started by someone who also emigrated to Montreal. His name was Carlo Catelli and he arrived from Lake como, Italy in 1845. He began a career in Montreal as a sculptor, creating beautiful works of art that can still be found in churches throughout Montreal today. But When Catelli turned 18, he decided to honor his Italian roots by starting a pasta business. He opened Canada's first pasta plant in a little shop on St. Paul street in Old Montreal. Over the years, Carlo Catelli became a prosperous and well respected businessman and played a founding role in the development of Montreal's Little Italy. And the rest is noodle history. Today the company has more than 75 products in its lineup. But there's another reason Catelli made my list. Even though it is now owned by a Spanish company, Catelli is still a Canadian success story, and it happens to share the same birthday. Another Canadian brand I admire is in the tool business. Founded in 1978, Lee Valley Tools carved out a unique position for itself in a market filled with big box stores. It chose to take a wholesome approach to the tool industry. Founder Leonard Lee came from humble beginnings in Wadena, Saskatchewan, where home was a small log cabin without electricity or running water, a home his father had built with his own two hands and a few tools. Many years later, Lee made his way to Ottawa, where he worked as a civil servant. In 1976, Lee and his wife, Lorraine, began A part time mail order business selling parts for cast iron barrel stoves. Sales did surprisingly well, giving Lee the confidence to quit his government post and take a crack at the full time mail order business. At age 39, he named the company Lee Valley Tools. Lee from his last name, Valley, from the Ottawa Valley where he lived. He and Lorraine cut and pasted together the first catalog at their dining room table. It featured 950 items. Next, they had to advertise. With little to no budget. Lee placed an ad on the back of Harrow Smith magazine. It said, for our 78 page catalog of fine woodworking tools, send $1 to this address. To their surprise, they received 2,200 $1 bills in the mail. An unbelievable response. That jump started the entire business when a postal strike in 1981 nearly sank the fledgling company. Lee opened up retail stores that didn't rely on the postal system. Initially, the company only sold products manufactured elsewhere. But Lee wanted to make modifications. So eventually Lee Valley Tools bought a machine shop in Ottawa to manufacture product in house. Today, the company sells hundreds of woodworking tools, gardening gadgets, kitchen equipment, hardware and clothing in stores that are uniquely designed. The products, by the way, have brutally honest descriptions. On the Lee Valley website, one says handle with hardwood scales complete with spots of wood filler. Another says a tough, ugly tool that is perfect for the person whose usual solution is to use a large hammer. That sounds like you. I know. But what makes Lee Valley Tools so unique isn't their tool selection. It's their company culture. Part of Leonard Lee's success came from his wholesome philosophy of insisting that no executive in his company would earn more than 10 times the wage of the lowest paid worker, an almost unheard of ratio in the Canadian industry. The company has also never laid off a single staff member. Even through recessions and hard times. Employees get 25% of pre tax profits each year. As a bonus, every staff member from the top to the bottom receives exactly the same amount. Which is pretty amazing considering Lee Valley Tools sells about $150 million of product annually. The staff is given the freedom to make decisions on the spot to solve a customer's needs. No manual, no checking with the boss. No one is on commission. The company wants the staff to feel empowered, a lesson Lee learned in government where everyone had enormous responsibility but no authority, which led to ulcers. Any Lee Valley Tools customer can return an item within 3 months of purchase at zero cost. The company will even refund shipping fees. It's a no risk proposition. Lee Valley Tools is a Canadian success story. Its 19 locations are still family owned and family run today, and it thrives in a tough category with big rivals. Robin Lee has now taken over as president, maintaining the company's standards, values and transparency. A few tools of the trade he learned from dad, which is a time honored tradition a company in New Brunswick could also claim. Don't go away. We'll be right back.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Your old or broken phone can let you down when you need it most.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Perfect.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

But at Verizon, trade in any old phone from our top brands and get the most for it. Up to $2,000 in value for an amazing new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence and a new line on my plan and iPad and Apple Watch Series 10. That's like a three for one and you can get it on any plan at Verizon. Trade in your old phone for a brand new iPhone 16 Pro, iPad and Apple Watch. The other guys won't give you that. Visit verizon.com today. Additional terms apply Service plan required for Apple Watch and iPad up to $2,000 value based on iPhone, iPad and Apple.

[Bob Zildjian]

Watch this cold and flu season Instacart is here to help deliver all of your sick day essentials. Whether you're in prevention mode and need vitamins, hand sanitizer and that lemon tea your nana swears by, or you're in healing mode and need medicine, soup and a lot more tissues. Simply download the Instacart app and get sick day supplies that reinvigorate or relieve Delivered in as fast as 30 minutes. Plus enjoy. $0 delivery fees on your first three orders. Excludes restaurant orders. Service fees and terms apply.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Race the rudders. Race the sails. Raise the sails.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Captain, an unidentified ship is approaching.

[Leonard Lee]

Over.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Roger, wait. Is that an enterprise sales solution?

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Reach sales professionals, not professional sailors. With LinkedIn ads, you can target the right people by industry, job title and more. We'll even give you a $100 credit.

[Terry O'Reilly]

On your next campaign.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Get started today at LinkedIn.com results terms and conditions apply.

[Terry O'Reilly]

According to the most recent census, the town of Meductic, New Brunswick has a population of 173 people. It is one of the smallest villages in the province, but it's home to one of the biggest suppliers to the music industry, Sabian Cymbals. Founded by Bob Zildjian in 1981, his family has a long history of manufacturing symbols. A long history? His ancestors created symbols for the Ottoman army beginning in 1623. The Sultan was so enamored with the symbols, he bestowed the name Ziljan on the family which literally meant cymbalsmith. From there, the Zildjian family began their symbol making foundry, passing the secrets of craftsmanship on from father to son for generations. At the turn of the 20th century, the Zildjian family took their knowledge across the ocean and became the foremost cymbal brand in North America. The company was being run by Avidus Zildjian with help from his two sons, Armand and Bob. Both boys saw action in World War II. When Bob returned, he was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. A friend suggested he take some healing time in the quiet beauty of Meductic, New Brunswick. Bob fell in love with the area. Meanwhile, the company was flourishing as the Zildjian cymbal brand was being embraced by musicians all over the world. In 1964, a certain band that I'm forgetting the name of played on Ed Sullivan.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Ladies and gentlemen, the Beatles.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Demand for Zildjian cymbals. Demand exploded. The company ended the year with 90,000 symbols on backorder. Times were good. The company had a factory in Massachusetts and Bob would build a second one in his beloved village of Meductic. In 1968, 10 years later, patriarch Avidus Zildjian passed away. A power struggle ensued and the Zildjian brothers had a falling out. Bob Zildjian split from the company, took over the Medall operation and started a rival symbol business. In 1981. He was prevented from using the family name and his lawyers recommended he stay away from using a Z, D or J in his new company name. So he and his wife created an acronym using the first two letters from the first names of their children, Sally, Billy and Andy. Sabian Symbols was born from that little village along the St. John river in New Brunswick. Sabian has become famous for creating some of the finest cymbals in the world. The company manufactures hundreds of cymbal variations for every genre of music from classical to jazz to heavy metal. It is an iconic brand known internationally, loved by musicians everywhere. Its cymbals have been used by famous drummers from Carmina Peace to Phil Collins to Ringo Starr. The company now commands 40% of the world's cymbal market with distribution in 120 countries. It's still a family business run by Bob's son now, and it is the biggest employer in the beautiful village of Meductic, New Brunswick. Sabian has become the symbol of symbol. When I was studying radio and television arts at Ryerson in the late 70s, we had a lecture every Wednesday morning. In that class, various people from the industry would come in and talk to us about their professions. Documentary filmmakers, TV producers. When the advertising people came in, I saw my future. But one day our professor said he wasn't going to introduce that morning's guest, which was very unusual. He said he would let us figure out who it was ourselves. Hmm. Then a middle aged man in a suit with a briefcase walked into the classroom. He just stood there and looked at us and we looked at him. Then he put his briefcase on the desk and opened it. He took off his tie and put it in the briefcase. Then he took out a comb and combed his parted hair straight down. He was starting to look familiar. Then he took out a recorder and played us this. It was the Friendly Giant. We couldn't believe it. We had all grown up with him. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. Bob Humme then told us the story of how he produced one of the most loved children's shows in Canadian television history. Bob Humme began his broadcasting career doing a children's show on radio in Madison, Wisconsin in 1953. A few years later, he moved the show to television. The program was decorated with miniature props. One day, Bob caught a glimpse of his seemingly giant hand rearranging the tiny furniture. In that moment, the idea for the Friendly Giant was born. In 1958, a CBC executive saw the show, loved it and invited Bob to come up to Canada to do the show nationally. He accepted. The Friendly Giant aired every morning, Monday to Friday, and amazingly, the show was only 15 minutes long. Not many people realized that. To me, when I was 4, it was the best hour on television. Bob chose 15 minutes because he felt it was just the right length for a young child's attention span. When he moved the show to Canada, he needed to find an actor to voice Rusty the rooster. Hi, Ridley. And Jerome the giraffe. Hi there, everybody. He chose Rod Cunnybear. In later years, I did many commercials with Rod because he was a remarkable voiceover artist. And one day he told me the story of how he landed the job. The first actor Bob Humme chose had a great voice but struggled to work both puppets at the same time. His arms couldn't stretch far enough to be a rooster and a giraffe. Rod also had a great voice, but more importantly, he had a long wingspan. He got the job. Remarkably, Bob and Rod improvised every episode and original music was written for virtually every show too. Over the years, the Friendly Giant introduced kids to a wide range of music, from jazz to Cole Porter to Elizabethan madrigals. Rod Cunnybear has said that Bob Humme could have become a millionaire with Friendly Giant toys and merchandise. But Bob refused to commercialize his bond of trust with children and never licensed his image. At the core of the show was the insight that to kids, all adults looked like giants. And Bob Humme showed them that adults could be kind and warm and share a sense of wonderment. Over the 3,000 episodes from 1958 to 1985, that sentiment never changed. Nor did the show's trademark miniature set. Here we are inside. Here's one little chair for one of you and a bigger chair for two more to curl up. Someone who likes to rock a rocking chair in the middle there. To me, the Friendly Giant checks all the boxes when it comes to a famous brand. It was original, it was consistent, it influenced millions of Canadian kids. The mere mention of its name still makes people smile 30 years later. And my heart still throbs every time I hear the theme song to this day. Now look up. We certainly did look up to you, Bob. Every year I do this episode to celebrate unique companies. They've endured the test of time. They've withstood the gale winds of the economy. And the brands we've talked about today bloomed out of the permafrost of our great country. I admire Aldo because it is that rare flower, a stunning international success in the fickle business of fashion. I raised my fork to Catelli, a rare brand celebrating its 150th birthday with Canada this year. I applaud Lee Valley Tools, which has survived and thrived even though it is surrounded on all sides by deep pocketed box stores. I tip my toque to Sabian symbols, A world class player creating a world class product. And they do it from the smallest village in New Brunswick. Then there's the friendly Giant, a television pioneer worshiped and revered by generations of Canadians. A true giant who refused to commercialize his trust with children. It takes pluck and luck to build a good brand. It takes fortitude and vision to build a great one. We certainly have our fair share of them. But what else do you expect from the Great White north when you're under the influence? I'm Terry O'Reilly. Under the influence was recorded at Pirate Toronto. Series producer Debbie O'Reilly, sound engineers Keith Ullman and Jeff Devine. Themed by Casey Pick, Jeremiah Pick and James Ayton. Research Abby Forsythe. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Erry oinfluence. See you next week. This episode brought to you by Space.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

The final frontier My name is William.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Shatner and I am Canadian.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Your old or broken phone can let you down when you need it most.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Perfect.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

But at Verizon, trade in any old phone from our top brands and get the most for it. Up to $2,000 in value for an amazing new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence and a new line on my plan and iPad and Apple Watch Series 10. That's like a three for one. And you can get it on any plan at Verizon. Trade in your old phone for a brand new iPhone 16 Pro, iPad and Apple Watch. The other guys won't give you that. Visit verizon.com today. Additional terms apply. Service plan required for Apple Watch and iPad. Up to $2,000. Value based on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Come on down to Boost Mobile and turn your tax refund into six months of savings. Nope, all wrong. You're on the radio touting Boost Mobile's 5G network. You gotta use your radio voice like this. Come on down to Boost Mobile and get six months free when you buy. Six months on our best unlimited plans. Now you go. This is just how my voice sounds. Just say it like you mean it. Okay. Plus, enter to win up to $10,000 and double your tax refund.

[Terry O'Reilly]

Oh my.

[Sydney O'Reilly]

Requires upfront payment, taxes and fees. Extra terms and exclusions apply. Visit boostmobile.com for full number terms and sweeps details.

[Leonard Lee]

Work Management platforms Ugh. Endless onboarding. IT bottlenecks, admin requests. But what if things were different? We found love in an open Monday.com is different. No lengthy onboarding, beautiful reports in minutes, custom workflows you can build on your own. Easy to use prompt free AI. Huh? Turns out you can love a work management platform. Monday.com the first work platform you'll love.

[Bob Zildjian]

To use if you wear glasses. You know how hard it is to find the perfect pair. But step into a Warby Parker store and you'll see it doesn't have to be. Not only will you find a great selection of frames, you'll also meet helpful advisors and friendly optometrists. Yep, many Warby Parker locations also offer eye exams. So the next time you need glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, or a new prescription, you know where to look. To find a Warby Parker store near you. Or to book an eye exam, head over to warbyparker.com retail.