We dive into Poppy Barley’s early days, from the spark of an idea on a trip to Bali to a bold six-month ultimatum that set the business in motion. Kendall opens up about the highs (hitting that first million!) and the hard choices (pivoting from custom footwear to in-stock inventory). Plus, she shares her thoughts on Poppy Barley’s brand longevity, the power of values-driven growth, and the unique challenges—and rewards—of running a company with her sister.
If you’re an entrepreneur, a marketer, or just someone who loves a well-crafted brand (or shoe), this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Tune in now!
We discuss the challenges of aligning personal values with professional work, the transformative power of storytelling and strategy, and the emotional moments that have defined his career—like the riderless bike procession at the Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer. Plus, hear the behind-the-scenes story of how Ryan’s team collaborated with the Arkells for a powerful year-end campaign.
Whether you’re a student, a seasoned pro, or just curious about how marketing can drive change, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Tune in now and rediscover the good that marketing can do!
Together, we explore key challenges, opportunities, and trends, from navigating affordability and demand generation to the evolving dynamics of labour and media buying. Tune in for actionable insights and a well-rounded look at what lies ahead next year for our industry.
From navigating early career challenges to landing big-deal city projects that went viral, Colleen and Amy share insights into their creative process, their recent ventures like self-produced International Women’s Day projects, and their aspirations for tackling bigger, bolder productions in the future.
Whether you’re in the industry or simply love some Hoopla, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in the world of video production.
Eldon and Jenn share their unconventional career journeys from science and musical theatre to advertising. They discuss their roles in shaping ATB’s creative evolution, including how their unique backgrounds help them see creativity opportunity within the practical world of finance.
Highlighting their work on the recent “Powering Possibility” brand campaign, they emphasize the importance of meeting people where they’re at and standing out in the banking industry through a humanized, optimistic vision of personal finance that resonates with a diverse group of Albertans. They also reflect on the benefits of working in-house, where they can infuse the brand’s promise into the company culture, making a tangible impact beyond the traditional limits of advertising.
Justin Archer and Dennis Lenarduzzi, from Berlin Communications, join ACE President Carla McNeil, to take us behind the scenes of how Confetti Fridays came to life and eventually ended up winning the most prestigious award of the night.
Confetti Fridays was a free summer concert series hosted by Michael Phair, Alberta’s first openly gay city councillor, in the downtown park named after him. Launched in June for Pride Month, the series brought the community together weekly for live music, DJ sets and drag shows. Michael Phair Park is surrounded by a mural titled “Confetti,“ which floods all surrounding walls and sidewalks with a shower of rainbow dots. The look and feel of the lunchtime summer series creative was inspired by this mural along with cues pulled from the Memphis movement and 80’s pop art halftones – which is about the time that Michael Phair was making history here in Edmonton.
The creative applied the vibrant colours of the pride flag in circle motifs that mimic the confetti mural, creating a joyful and energetic “more is more” aesthetic that celebrates Edmonton’s diversity, the parade of colourful queens who performed at Confetti Fridays, and Michael Phair’s iconic personal style
We learn about Breanne’s journey to finally discovering a career that fulfills her every day and how she ended up there after years of searching. From working in publishing to startups, entrepreneurship and finally volunteering for ACF which led to much more.
Breanne is living proof that every job has a lesson to teach you, and it’s all building to something bigger and better that will come eventually if you stay patient, curious, and committed.
This episode is hosted by ACE Podcast Chair Josh Radostits and ACE Past President Pablo Herrra Cruz.
Josh and Pablo sit down with Jeff and Sophie, friends of ACE, to learn about the journey of starting Sonder Creative to step outside the typical ‘lanes’ of a traditional agency and embrace a more hands-on approach throughout the entire project process. We learn about the benefits of working in a smaller shop, managing a creative partnership, and the constant struggle between entrepreneurial spirit and process.
Jeff and Sophie share their journeys getting into the marketing world, including Jeff’s fully-suited stint at a print shop in town, and what they were both missing when they ended up taking the leap to do their own thing.
This episode is hosted by ACE Vice President Adam Rozenhart and ACE Past President Pablo Herrra Cruz.
Adam and Pablo sit down with Chris to learn about how the world of market research intersects with our industry, including how proper engagement and consultation unlock critical insights that go above and beyond our typical assumptions. It’s a job that takes you from the front lines of engagement on topics like affordable housing and houselessness, to combing through pages and pages of research, to finally consolidating it all into a digestible report.
Chris also shares his journey from starting in public advocacy at the University of Alberta’s Student Union, to leaping into the world of public relations and communications for Calder Bateman, and finally to going out on his own to start Y Station with ambitions to grow beyond Alberta.
Teresa talks about what inspired her to make the move from industry to teaching, how she stays connected with the industry to keep classes relevant, and how this next generation of students is approaching their career paths.
If you know Teresa, you’re already hitting play – and if you don’t, well you are in for a treat!
Edmonton’s vibrant creative community is set to take center stage once again as the ACE Awards returns to celebrate the city’s exceptional creative talent. The ACE Awards has become a highly anticipated event in the advertising industry, showcasing the city’s dynamic and ever-evolving creative landscape.
As the advertising industry changes constantly adapting to new trends, technologies, and consumer behaviors—we at ACE recognize we must do the same. That’s why we’ve made some exciting adjustments to certain ACE Award categories: to better reflect the current state of the industry.
We’re pleased to introduce five new categories that capture the spirit of innovation and creativity. Let’s take a closer look at these fresh additions:
1. For Good Campaign: In a world where the influence of marketing extends far beyond brand recognition, we celebrate the profound impact that advertising can have on society. The “For Good” category recognizes campaigns that go beyond commercial success to drive positive change. Whether addressing social issues, promoting inclusivity, or championing environmental causes, this category applauds marketing efforts that contribute to the greater good.
2. B2B Campaign: Business-to-business advertising plays a crucial role in the corporate world. The B2B Campaign category acknowledges outstanding campaigns that stand out for its excellence, creativity, and proven impact within the dynamic landscape of business-to-business focused marketing.
3. Brand Refresh: Brands, like individuals, need a makeover from time to time. The Brand Refresh category applauds successful creative and design efforts that breathe new life into established identities.
4. Call Out for User Generated Content: User-generated content has become a powerful tool in modern advertising, providing authenticity and engaging consumers in the creative process. This category recognizes social activity designed to encourage an audience to contribute/collaborate with a brand initiative or campaign.
5. Animation: Animation has proven to be a versatile and captivating medium in the world of advertising. The Animation category acknowledges excellence in the use of animated elements in support of a marketing effort or advertising campaign.
6. Music/Sound Design: Recognizing the crucial role of auditory elements in advertising, this category honours work that showcase exceptional creativity in audio, adding an auditory dimension to the creative landscape.
7. Campaigns Above and Under $75K: Recognizing the diverse budgetary constraints in the industry, this category ensures that campaigns, regardless of their financial scale, have a chance to shine.
8. Innovative Use of Technology (Digital and Traditional Combined): As technology continues to shape the advertising landscape, this adjusted category celebrates campaigns that weave together digital and traditional elements, showcasing the industry’s innovative spirit.
9. Illustration Single and Series (Separate Entries): Illustration, a timeless form of visual storytelling, is now divided into Single and Series entries, allowing for a more nuanced recognition of excellence.
10. Photography Single and Series (Separate Entries): Similarly, the Photography category has been refined to acknowledge both individual photographic masterpieces and series that tell a compelling visual narrative.
With these exciting new categories and adjustments, the 45th ACE Awards is set to be a celebration of innovation, talent, and the ever-expanding possibilities within the local advertising industry.
To view all the categories for ACE 45, CLICK HERE.
Best of luck to all the entrants, as Edmonton’s creative community prepares to showcase its excellence on the 45th ACE Awards stage in April!
]]>Lynda talks about the importance of storytelling in helping people along the journey of AI literacy to learn how the technology fits within their lives – including researchers, businesses, and everyday people like teachers and students. We also dive into how you can do globally impactful work from anywhere, which is evident in Lynda’s work being published across the globe from outlets like New York Times and Wired.
Learn how Lynda’s gone from an Education major, to working at Berlin Communications and Banff Centre, to ending up at one of the most coveted organizations in Edmonton.