6 Agencies to Watch in the Canadian North

Canada is a country renowned for its high peaks, forested lands, and expansive countryside. While the majority of our population is concentrated in the southern part of our country, our expansive North is what makes us who we are.

Marketing, PR, and communications agencies in the Canadian North juggle the complexities of language, culture, and industry, alongside the unique challenges that come along with getting messages across in a remote area.

Nonetheless, more and more innovative agencies have been rising up and showing off their skillful, creative agendas. From inclusive government campaigns to public health and awareness, these are the Northern Canadian agencies to look out for.

1. AYAYA

AYAYA is a PR and communications agency located in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The agency is 75% owned by Inuit residents and includes a roster of translators, designers, and communications specialists with vast Arctic experience.

As a team that lives and works in the North, they understand the unique challenges that Northern businesses face in their marketing and PR efforts. Their experience in Nunavut politics, media, and marketing make them uniquely positioned to connect and communicate with Northern audiences in order to create long-lasting, enriching relationships.

Notable AYAYA projects include the Virtual Nunavut Day in 2020 and their translation and design contributions to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) report.

Managing Director Nadia Ciccone has been part of AYAYA agency for over 15 years. In her 35 years working in communications, she has executed projects with the Government of Nunavut, alongside Inuit organizations and businesses.

If you need to reach the North, or Indigenous people across Canada, AYAYA can help.

2. Outcrop

Outcrop is a marketing and communications agency that has roots in all three Canadian territories: Nunavut, the Yukon Territory, and the Northwest Territories. Their journey started over 40 years ago with a small office in Yellowknife. Now, their team boasts more than 25 marketing and communication experts on their roster.

Their agency offers communications planning, writing and editing, web development, event management, and design to their growing list of clients.

Notable Outcrop projects include their Government of Nunavut website and their Northwest Territories ad campaign that encouraged Northern Canadian tourism.

Outcrop is run by talented CEO Jen Hayward and skilled COO Chris Ferris. Combined, they bring over four decades of experience to the agency.

3. Mammoth

Mammoth is a business, marketing, and creative agency based in the Yukon Territory. Mammoth believes in building quality relationships between brands and their audiences. In every project, they aim to bring humanity back to marketing and do this with personality, humour, and fun.

Co-founders Matt Douglas and Richard Eden bring over twenty years of experience to the table. They have worked with brands of all sizes, from Pepsi to Flat Creek Farms, and never pass up an opportunity to get creative with their strategies.

Some of Mammoth’s most exciting projects include working with the Yukon Hospital Foundation, Yukon Brewing, and Northstar Agriculture. In 2020, they launched their Digital Shift project to help small businesses sell, market, and succeed online despite the pandemic.

4. North Creative

North Creative is a marketing and communications agency in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. They pride themselves on being explorers at heart and bring a sense of adventure to each new project they take on. In their own words: “Creativity is nothing without purpose; ours is to boldly lead you and help you navigate an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

Run by Partners Hannah Eden, a National Magazine Award-nominated photographer, and Jaret MacNeil, a graphic designer with nearly a decade in the ad business, North Creative stays true to its namesake and brings art and flair to every project they take on.

North Creative has executed branding projects for Mining North Works, Ilannariit Katimaviat Society, and the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. As well, their creative poster campaigns for the Government of the Northwest Territories brought humour and fun to the delicate topic of STIs.

5. Nunavut Marketing

Nunavut Marketing is, you guessed it, a marketing agency in Iqaluit, Nunavut!

Started in 2019, Nunavut Marketing is made up of passionate videographers, marketers, designers, and developers. They specialize in creating promotional videos, training videos, awareness videos, and results-driven marketing campaigns for a variety of Northern clients.

One of their most recent projects, a promo video for Gentle Herbs, brings the quiet, calm majesty of Nunavut to the comfort of your home.

6. Aasman

Aasman is communications, marketing, and branding agency located in Whitehorse, Yukon. They tackle every kind of advertising project, from print campaigns to web overhauls, strategy, and beyond.

Founded by Al Aasman in 1989, Aasman is an award-winning agency that has executed projects across industries, from the Yukon Highways and Public Works to the Aurora Geosciences.

Made up of a skilled team of creatives, thought leaders, and strategists, the Aasman team works collaboratively with clients to deliver brand, marketing, and communication materials across media platforms.

Check out this inspiring video campaign they created for their partner, Yukon Wild.

Written by Hannah Macready