CASE STUDY:

Marking Milestones with Meaning

 

Milestones matter most when they’re shared by communities, by families, and by the people who built them.

At Clothesline Media, we believe stories are more than just reflections, they’re catalysts. Over the years, we’ve helped our partners mark milestone anniversaries with narrative depth, beauty, and purpose.

Two standout examples, Sobeys110 and High Liner Foods' 125th show what’s possible when storytelling meets intention.

And now, as New Dawn Enterprises approaches its 50th anniversary, we see a powerful opportunity to build something just as meaningful, something rooted in place, driven by people, and crafted to endure.

 
 
 
 

A Century of A Family Nurturing Families

 

When Sobeys marked its 110th anniversary, timed to align with Canada’s 150th birthday, the Sobey Foundation partnered with Pier 21 and called on us to help tell the story. What began as a celebration of a grocery store’s humble beginnings grew into something far richer: a tribute to the immigrant spirit, a celebration of community, and a reminder of how one family’s story is ingrained nto the fabric of a country.

The Sobeys 110 project combined emotional storytelling with interactive design. We created many original videos and stories, built an immersive bilingual website, and included an interactive timeline, archival footage, and a national call to action:
Tell us your story. The result was a platform that honoured the past and invited Canadians everywhere to be part of it.

We worked closely with their team to design an immersive storytelling website, that served as the central hub for:

 

Narrative videos
Highlighting the people and families behind the business.

An interactive timeline
That walked audiences through 110 years of evolution in both Sobeys and Canada.

Stories
That brought forward voices from across Canada, from grocers to grandchildren.

A custom digital archive For internal and external sharing

 

A highlight of the Sobeys110 project was sharing the story of Peace by Chocolate. This short film captured the resilience of the Hadhad family and the heart of a small Nova Scotia town that helped them start over. It’s a reminder that legacy is about looking back, but more importantly it’s about how we welcome what’s next.

 

Peace by Chocolate:
One Family’s Sweet New Beginning

From the rubble of war to the warmth of Nova Scotia, this is a story of courage, welcome, and the new life that can grow when community opens its arms.

 
“There are things in our lives that shape who we are and how we see the world. For the Sobey family, it began with one step onto Canadian soil. Clothesline Media helped us bring that story to life with heart, depth, and purpose.”

— Bernard Doucette - Sobeys110 project lead

 
 
 

High Liner Foods: 125 Years at Sea

Fast forward to 2024, and we found ourselves on a similar journey with High Liner Foods, celebrating their 125th anniversary. What began as a few milestone videos grew into a full suite of commemorative content, including leadership stories, community partnerships, and a celebration across three countries. We helped tell the story of how a small fishery in Lunenburg grew into one of North America’s most trusted seafood brands, while never losing sight of its roots.

With High Liner Foods, we told the story of a company shaped by its people and guided by purpose. Through a series of narrative films, events, and photo essays, we helped them commemorate 125 years of feeding families around the world.

Our contributions included:

Executive video messages
Filmed across North America

Partnership stories
With organizations like Gather and Feed Nova Scotia

A cinematic flagship video
Tracing High Liner’s evolution from local fishmongers to global brand

Live event coverage
From Toronto to Copenhagen

 

“When my daughter got hired… I cried.”

After nearly 50 years at High Liner Foods, Angus watched his daughter Elisabeth become the fourth generation of their family to work at the company. “It’s a family,” he said. “We’re probably approaching 100 years between us.”

 
“Every encounter was full of fun and laughs, with the final results helping us commemorate our 125th anniversary in the most special ways.”
— Danijela Gveric​​​​, Communications Manager, High Liner Foods

 
 
 

Looking Ahead with New Dawn

New Dawn Enterprises has always stood for change for building a better future, especially here in Cape Breton. As we begin the creative journey toward your 50th, we want to honour the decades of work that got you here, while creating content that looks ahead with clarity and care.

Just like we did with Sobeys and High Liner, we’ll bring our full storytelling toolkit to the table:

  • Cinematic video stories featuring New Dawn people and programs

  • Photography that captures community and place

  • A narrative web experience that educates and inspires

  • Archival moments brought to life

  • Opportunities to engage alumni, partners, and the next generation

It’s a chance to reflect, re-connect, and reaffirm your place as a force for good.