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Symantec - The Internet Black Market Takes
Over Toronto

We've all heard horror stories about computer hackers, spammers and identity thieves and for one day in Toronto, Norton by Symantec brought this underground economy to life. Through an immersive BLKMKT Exhibit, guests were given a chance to see how cybercriminals steal millions of dollars from businesses and consumers each day.

With successful BLKMKT exhibits unveiled in New York, Sao Paulo, Tokyo and London, MAVERICK
had big shoes to fill to execute a flawless event in the only Canadian BLKMKT stop. MAVERICK coordinated the large exhibit to be shipped and setup at Toronto's Koolhaus. During the day, MAVERICK invited local professors and students studying IT at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Ryerson University to tour the BLKMKT Exhibit. In addition to the tour, students asked questions and chatted with Symantec's Response Team members about their experience working in the Internet security industry.

In the evening, MAVERICK transformed the space into a dark, underground nightclub and invited media, analysts, Symantec partners and customers to explore the BLKMKT. The exhibit was divided into two parts: a storefront selling identities and a back room where 'hackers' demonstrated how they steal information. Guests also had the opportunity to witness a streaming chat where real cybercriminals were selling goods online. Once the tour was complete, the president of Symantec's consumer group, a member of the OPP e-crime unit and a cybercrime victim discussed the damaging effects of cybercrime
and put a face and pulse to a now common problem.

More than 150 people toured the BLKMKT in Toronto, including 31 media and analysts from top tier consumer, daily, trade, online and broadcast outlets, such as National Post, ITBusiness.ca, Evergeek Media and Digital Journal.

The event resulted in strong coverage in traditional and social media outlets; visitors
tweeted about the event through a hashtag created by the PR team. In addition, MAVERICK
secured 11 one-on-one interviews with local and national outlets including, Metro News, Canada AM, Breakfast Television and CTV News which resulted in more than 30 hits and more than 12 million media impressions. 

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If you are looking to partner with a PR firm fully committed to driving your business and communications objectives look no further. Call us or make an appointment to visit our offices and meet our people. We're sure once inside the MAVERICK.

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