Montréal Loves Research: A new video campaign to charm researchers from the U.S.

The clip features Dr Sasha Luccioni (McGill, Hugging Face), Dr Lucien Weiss (Polytechnique Montréal) and Dr Rachel Bouserhal (École de technologie supérieure) providing viewers with a glimpse of both their personal and professional journeys in Greater Montréal, a city where academic excellence and quality of life go hand in hand. It also includes iconic scenes from the region, a snapshot of all the potential Montréal has to offer.

An environment to innovate

This campaign comes as a recent survey for Nature Portofolio revealed that 75% of U.S.-based scientists are considering relocating in relations to recent policy changes brought about by the Trump administration. Europe and Canada are listed as top potential destinations.

« It’s important to get Montréal on the radar of researchers looking for a new space. Our message is clear: here, their ideas and ambitions will find a world-class research ecosystem, ready to support them and move their projects forward,” says Stéphane Paquet, President and CEO of Montréal International. “With 15 academic institutions and a strong leadership when it comes to R&D, Montréal has everything it takes to attract researchers – and businesses – eager to contribute to an innovative economy.”

A bold marketing campaign

With this initiative, the goal is to send out a clear message to researchers and scientists in the United States: Montréal loves Research. The broader campaign started in May with advertising displayed on Harvard University, UCLA and UCI campuses. The new video unveiled today is being promoted mainly on LinkedIn to further amplify the message. The campaign will run until October, targeting key cities such as Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Interested candidates are invited to visit Talent Montréal to learn more about Montréal’s research ecosystem and to express their interest by filling out a short form. As for businesses looking to invest in R&D, they will find more information on Montréal International’s website.

A collective effort

The project was led by the Strategy and Communications team at Montréal International, with Marina Keomanivong leading the digital strategy and Yohann Rabusseau taking on the creative strategy. Video production was entrusted to Beauvoir, a Montréal-based creative agency known for its storytelling approach and expertise in creating immersive content.

In June, the City of Montréal announced its $50,000 contribution to support this campaign, along with 5 grants of $10,000 each for researchers currently established in the U.S. and looking to move to Montréal. Montréal International, via the Government of Canada’s CanExport Community Investment Program, and academic institutions are also providing financial contributions to this campaign.

About Montréal International

Montréal International is a non-profit organization funded by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and the City of Montréal. Its mandate is to attract and retain foreign investment (companies and startups), international organizations and qualified talent to Greater Montréal by providing support services tailored to their needs.