Rick Mercer, Ron James join ‘Pro Canada Project’ PSA campaign

Rick Mercer (left) and Ron James (right) have lent their voices to the latest 'Pro Canada Project' PSA campaign from the Pro Bono Group.

With a global trade war now officially underway, The Pro Bono Group has produced two new PSAs for radio stations and podcasts under its Pro Canada Project, enlisting a couple of Canadian comedy icons.

Launched in early February, the campaign encourages listeners to “Buy Canadian,” urging consumers to “shop as if your country depends on it.”

The two latest spots produced under the campaign see Pro Bono Group recruit Rick Mercer and Ron James, who appeal to Canadians to “Keep your money in Canada, for Canada.”

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“Rick Mercer was ‘all in’ from the moment we invited him,” producer Mike Occomore told Broadcast Dialogue. “So was Ron James. He was away on the East Coast – but offered to drop everything and jump on a plane the very next day and fly to Toronto just so he could add his voice to this project. Fortunately, that wasn’t necessary.”

“Anecdotally, the feedback from radio stations has been phenomenal,” Occomore added. “We’ve had staff members and even owners of stations tell us that they were ‘so proud’ to run the first Pro Canada ad. And they feel the campaign is also ‘necessary’ to air, we need to ‘stand up for ourselves.'”
(l-r): Mike Occomore, Rick Mercer, Larry MacInnis, Ron James.

Recorded at The Coach House location of difuze/WANTED Sound+Picture in Toronto, the comedians’ fees were waived as the not-for-profit obtains “PSA status” from ACTRA.

Pro Bono Group says more messages from passionate Canadians will be produced in the weeks ahead, including a spot with Dragons’ Den business mogul Arlene Dickinson.

“The Pro Bono Group feels it’s important to include the voices of Canadians…people we have contacted want to be involved, and now others are contacting us to participate,” said Occomore. “Credit has to be given to radio for bringing people together right across the country.”

Learn more about Pro Bono Group, here.