To young Black talent, Asson recommends patience and adaptability, Isaac urges to keep showing up, and Webber advises instilling work with genuine value and relevance.
Election advertising
Getting To Know Charmain Emerson And Chelsea Charles For Black History Month
Both share sentiments about becoming the role models they wish they'd had, and the need for BIPOC representation in leadership.
Black History Month Profiles: Ozioma Nwabuikwu And Tristan Barrocks
Nwabuikwu talks about breaking into the industry through freelance work, networking and internships, while Barrocks discusses the need for diverse perspectives to be included in rooms where creative decisions are being made.
Getting To Know Maurice Davis, Dominique Seaton And Marc Piper For Black History Month
"We just need to keep speaking up and making our voices heard," says Seaton. "[C]alling out our officials, or just keeping the conversations open and honest amongst our friends."
Black History Month Profiles: Donica Willis And Barry Alexander
Willis talks about imposter syndrome and using design as a tool to identify and understand problems, while Alexander discusses mentorship and inclusive leadership.
There's Something Cookin In The Meal Delivery Space
Launched in October of 2022 with an in-house marketing team of five people, Cookin has since secured partnerships with American Express and Sobeys, and says that it's just getting started.
How Four Business Students Secured A Dragon's Den Deal For Their Tampon Brand
Marlow, a startup e-commerce brand selling lubricated tampons, raised $1M in investments in two years. Now the company has secured a $250,000 deal with Arlene Dickinson, with plans for mass retail.
Truth And Reconciliation Beyond Orange Squares On Social Feeds
Brands should play an important role as vehicles for action, beyond performative "we are listening and learning" statements, say Public's Phillip Haid and Caleigh Farrell.
Balzac's Celebrates 30 Years With Hand Puppetry
The campaign from Believeco celebrates one of coffee's lesser-known sensory delights: touch.
Conflict's Special Assignment For A Special School
The new brand identity for the Beverley School was inspired by friendship bracelets with a "Sesame Street meets NYC Subway System" vibe, says Conflict partner Niall Kelly.
Saying 'Hullo' To B.C.'S Newest Ferry Service
Inside Zulu Alpha Kilo's design for the Vancouver Island Ferry Company's new passenger service.
As It Celebrates Turning 40, Nabs Looks To The Future
A board subcommittee will help chart a new course for the future. "It is, in my opinion, the single most important committee that we've had since I've been around, and I've been around nabs since 2010," said chair Tom Shipman.
The 2010S: Industry Challenges Persist, But Nabs Holds Firm
"Talk about an organization committed selflessly to an industry... they get up every single day, and their sole purpose and focus is to help people," said former chair Jeremy Gayton.
The 2000S: A New Millennium, A New Nabs
The 2000s brought about two major developments for the industry charity: Quebec expansion and the launch of the nabs Monitor to better understand industry sentiment.
The 1990S: A New Generation Of Agency Employees, And A New Set Of Challenges
Entering its second decade, the industry charity became more proactive to meet the needs of a changing workforce.
The '80S: Despite Early Skepticism, Nabs Takes Shape
Rupert Brendon had a bold idea to create a charity that would help advertising people who had fallen on hard times. It wasn't easy, but some key "disciples" helped make it reality.
Ira Baptiste: "Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes"
The Evolve Agency Group president's ultimate weapon is "to thrive, use my voice, and to have a seat at tables where some think we should not be."
Delly Dyer Wants To Showcase Black Talent And 'Make Things Better, Not Worse'
"There is no single way to be Black," says Dyer. "However you show up each day is Black enough."
Cam Litchmore: Create More Than You Consume
The freelance marketing and publicity coordinator finds inspiration in those who possess a multidisciplinary mindset.
Tyra Jones-Hurst: Someone Is Willing To Bet On You
"You will find your home, you just have to be willing to bet on yourself," says Jones-Hurst, who leads Oliver's InKroud, a new division committed to creating representative, authentic work.
Nosa Atoe: An Industry Recruiter Who Wants To Tackle Systemic Racism
"I consider myself an IDEA professional," says Atoe: inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.
David Kantanka Is Helping Build The Future Of Black-Owned Media
With a passion for innovation, music and pop culture, the RapTV COO is working to 'put a ding in the universe.'
Patricia Morris: 'Now Is A Good Time'
A digital strategist and content creator, Morris is committed to amplifying BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creators across the Canadian landscape.
Shawn Small: It's Time To Make Diversity A Business Imperative
Embrace your unique perspective and always bring your A-game, says the founder of Rise Integrated Sports + Entertainment. "You are not measured by the same ruler as everyone else."
Nicole Mckinney: Focusing A Lens On Systemic Causes Of Unconscious Bias
"We must all be the change," says the Waking the unConscious founder and president
Analisa Allen Is Surrounding Herself With Change
Communicate with head and heart, says Allen, because we are "empty when one or the other is absent"
Adun Abiodun: Talking About Inclusivity Is Good, But It Needs To Be Followed By Action
"[T]here's a lot of conversation around listening, speaking up, allyship, resource sharing-which is all great," she says. "But what I don't hear a lot about is accountability and measurement."
Zoe Mukendi: 'Show Up As You Are.'
After "stumbling" into agency life about three years ago, the account executive at Bleublancrouge has come to feel a strong love for the industry.
Tyson Kuteyi: "The More We Teach, The More We Learn."
A one-time DJ who became one of Canadian advertising's top audio experts is doing everything in his power "to make the work incredible."
Anthony Mayes: Break Down Barriers, So Others Can Follow
"Nothing changes overnight, so the more seeds of change you can plant the better," says Fuse Create's director of production.
Shelly-Ann Scott: A Responsibility To Help The Next Generation Of Bipoc Marketers
When she started 25 years ago, she was typically the only person in the room who looked like her. And while there is more BIPOC presence today, there's still a long way to go.
Ryan Singh: A Producer And Director Working To Present Stories That Are Not Often Seen
Singh took a childhood love of cinema and turned it into his own company, Ryan Singh Productions, which has worked with Hollywood heavyweights including Ron Howard and Angelina Jolie.
Noël Nanton: An Award-Winning Designer In Search Of Unexpected Solutions
Thetypotherapy owner is a hands-on creative director who likes experimenting in order to find unexpected solutions.
Devon Clarke: A Passion For Creativity, And A Prove-Them-Wrong Mindset
A senior art director at The Kitchen, Clarke believes advertising goes beyond the work. "I've met so many amazing people along the way and created relationships that have lasted throughout the years."
Arlene Amitirigala Believes Marketing Can Be 'A Force For Good'
She wants to see a "deeper interrogation" of the content served to audiences so as to avoid tropes, stereotypes and misrepresentations.
Sandra Bonnick, An Industry Leader Who Had To Break Into A 'Secret Society'
"Ask the uncomfortable questions to CMOs and CEOs about their choices," to ensure brands aren't missing marginalized communities, says Bonnick.
Alexander Henry: Committed To Lifting Up Black Production Professionals
"I believe it starts from an early age to teach young people how great a career in filmmaking and advertising is" says Alfredo Films' partner/executive producer.
Schekina Israel Is Aiming To Be 'Visible And Vocal'
A self-professed data nerd and sci-fi stan, Israel is on guard against nefarious uses of technologies and data.
Christina Bellevue: Using Unique Experiences To Connect Dots In Ingenious Ways
"Early in my career, I also had to become comfortable evolving in places and spaces where I was an FOD-'First. Only. Different,'" she says.
Shawna-Kay Thomas Listens First, So She Can Be Heard
Through her role with Indigenous-owned PR firm pipikwan pêhtâkwan, she is working in spaces where decolonization is a goal but implementation is a challenge.
'If You See It, You Will Believe It,' Says Hugh Lawson
One way to fight for equity and against injustice is to develop more diverse leaders, because, as Lawson's mother-in-law once told him, "The best way to kill weeds is to grow more grass!"
The Accomplice Project Founder Christine Scott Is Building A Coalition For Change
She is the founder of The Accomplice Project, a consultancy with expertise in solving business problems through equitable and "anti-racist" solutions.
Tcharli Mathurin Is Part Of A New Bipoc Generation Making Their Mark
"It gives me energy to push forward in an effort to break the glass ceiling around executive and C-Suite roles," says Lightspeed's director of brand strategy and experience marketing
Marème Touré Is Leading The Charge For Dei
"We need to shift focus from diversity to inclusion, and look deeper at the exclusionary internal processes that hold people back," says Dentsu Canada's VP, DEI.
Kicking Off A Month-Long Celebration Of Black Marketers
Every day this month, we're sharing POCAM's profiles of Black marketing professionals to provide greater visibility for a community that often feels 'invisibilized' in Canadian marketing.
The Bold New Look For Toronto Metropolitan University Sports
Designed by Jacknife, the new brand identity was inspired by Toronto's famous streetcar tracks, and the dive of a peregrine falcon hunting its prey.
Film Says Action On The Climate Is Needed For Children To Follow In Our Footsteps
A new short film by longtime Canadian agency creative Jack Adamson has the backing of Greenpeace, the David Suzuki Foundation and Climate Reality Project.
How Quake Created A New Brand Identity For An Iconic Game
Hasbro's strategy game subsidiary Avalon Hill was seeking a new visual identity for the iconic game that could be simultaneously timeless and modern.
Getting To Know... Natasha Martin
After two years of growth, Swerve has made a number of executive changes, including appointing Martin as its first VP of client service. She shared a little about her life away from the office.
Um Cleans Up For Impact Day
After two years of giving back "virtually," the UM team got together live and in person for its Impact Day-cleaning up a park and earning donated media for BIPOC businesses