Movie stars heading to Canada's largest city for the annual Toronto International Film Festival won't leave empty-handed.
In addition to the extra publicity that comes with screening a film at the festival, celebrities who stop at gifting lounges in nearby hotels will also be treated to swag bags featuring Canadian brands.
Local and national companies give out the goodies for free, hoping for celebrity endorsements.
"When they end up having something in their closet that they're wearing and it ends up being on TV or in the magazines, or online on social media, people want it," Rock-it Promotions founder Debra Goldblatt-Sadowski told CTV's Canada AM on Friday.
From natural skincare products to winter accessories, here's a look at what's inside this year's coveted gift bags:
- All-natural skincare products by Sahajan, a brand based in Toronto, which retail for approximately $50 to $75 per 50-mL bottle or jar
- "His and hers" striped tote bags from Hudson's Bay Company, in HBC's iconic colours
- Water bottles, umbrellas and cufflinks from Hudson's Bay Company
- "Imperial" champagne and glasses from Moet and Chandon, with three options of bottle size
- Makeup brushes, tweezers and other products from Tweezerman
- "Survival kits" from luggage-maker Rimowa, including a toothbrush and toothpaste, teddy bear, lip balm, socks and mints
- Choice of jackets and pair of boots from the 2015 line by Sorel, a company founded in Kitchener, Ont., known for producing footwear that can withstand cold Canadian winters
"In the end, (celebrities) are there to work. People are here and they're working incredibly hard," Goldblatt-Sadowski said.
The gifting lounges offer a place to have fun and take a short break and "walk away with some really fun products that they're actually going to use," she said.
