Latest move in agency reinvention establishes a truly full-service firm.
Exciting times are upon us as we proudly announce Suitcase’s joint venture with Watermark, one of Alberta’s most established, full-service marketing communications firms.
This new alliance means more than just new competition on the ping-pong table or on the Nintendo. We’re mostly looking forward on integrating our teams and respective competencies in traditional and digital media to provide a truly unified marketing approach for our current clients and new ones on the horizon.
We’ve already seen early success from this union in our recent campaigns for Mark’s securing Michaels, the premier North American arts and crafts retailer and Regis Corporation, a worldwide leader in the beauty industry. We aim to continue these successes as we venture into the ever-changing marketing landscape together.
The full press release, written by Watermark’s Tricia Murray, is below.
Calgary, ALBERTA (October 18, 2011) – A joint venture between two top Alberta marketing communications firms has created one of Canada’s largest full-service independent agencies. Venerable Calgary advertising firm Watermark has joined forces with Suitcase Interactive, Canada’s first digital marketing engagement agency, to provide advertising and marketing services integrating traditional and digital media. The privately owned firms will operate the joint venture under the name Suitcase.
“Watermark has always known how to create compelling communications,” explained Chris Kneeland, President and CEO. “But marketing is more holistic these days. It’s about connecting with the right people at the right time in the right way. This joint venture means our clients will get robust, relevant solutions—all under one roof.”
The prospect of a joint venture took shape as Watermark and Suitcase Interactive collaborated on several successful campaigns for national retailer Mark’s. Out of their shared philosophy and complementary competencies came targeted campaigns that really connected with Mark’s customers. Remarked Kneeland, “It’s a testament to the power of integrating traditional and digital tactics—and of our companies combined. It’s like 1 + 1 = 3.”
“Marketers are demanding synergy among all their marketing channels,” explained Ryan Gill, one of three founding partners and CEO of Suitcase Interactive. “It’s time for a truly collaborative model that galvanizes traditional advertising methods and digital disciplines. We are determined to spearhead this sea change and ensure our clients’ success in the new marketing frontier.”
Already, Suitcase has secured accounts with two major U.S. retailers. It is working with Michaels, North America’s largest arts and crafts retailer, to enhance its Canadian digital presence and with Regis Corporation (MagicCuts, Mitchell’s Styling, FirstChoice Haircutters, Vidal Sassoon), a global leader in the beauty industry, on its customer relationship marketing.
About Watermark
Watermark is a full-service marketing communications firm, including creative conception, media planning, account and brand management and end-to-end completion services. Working with brands such as Mark’s, Imagewear, Wholesale Sports and CIBC, Watermark helps clients with destinations market themselves more effectively across all consumer touchpoints. Watermark is privately owned, has 33 employees and is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
About Suitcase Interactive
Suitcase Interactive was founded in 2002 to serve Calgary’s growing web design and Internet marketing needs. It is renowned for its pioneering integration of mobile and social marketing channels. In 2010, Marketing Magazine named Suitcase one of Canada’s hot digital marketing shops, and Digital Alberta awarded it Best Digital Marketing Agency in 2011. Suitcase boasts a client roster of high-profile Canadian brands and destinations, including SportChek, WestJet Airlines, Mark’s, Niagara Falls Tourism, Spruce Meadows, Shaw and EA Sports.
Contact
Chris Kneeland, President & CEO, Watermark
403.541.8673
Ryan Gill, CEO, Suitcase Interactive
403.243.9935
Category: Advertising, News Releases, Suitcase News
April 29, 2011
As we say goodbye to a cold, bitter winter and welcome the fresh, new spring weather we’ve noticed that two things haven’t really changed around our offices. First, clients are still knocking on our doors because they realize they need to learn to better engage with their customers, and second, talented people are flocking over to join our team to help forge a new frontier.
With great new clients comes great new talent, and the new guy in town is Mark James Lucas, our Art Director extraordinaire. Not only does he have three first names, he also brings with him over a decade of experience in the digital space and a specialty in mobile UI design.
Mark’s extensive experience with some of North American’s biggest brands, including Dell, AT&T, Best Buy, Harley Davidson and USAA, will certainly be a great benefit to our clients. He will help by adding a keen sense of user-centric design and insights into information hierarchy and architecture.
“After spending six years at a large digital agency, I needed a change,” explains Mark, “I had heard nothing but great things about Suitcase, and after meeting with the executive team and learning of the new direction Suitcase is going, with a paramount goal to be leaders in social media and mobile technology space, I was hook, line and sinker.”
Mark’s insights and knowledge can already be felt around our offices, and we’re excited to fill his plate with new projects for SportChek, Atmosphere and Mark’s Work Wearhouse, along with dipping his toe in all the work here at Suitcase.
Want to personally congratulate him? Email him at mark@suitcaseinteractive.com because I’m sure he’d love to hear from you.
Category: Appointment Notices, Suitcase News, Uncategorized
March 31, 2011
We expected that our move towards becoming an engagement agency was going to attract the attention of a number of innovative companies looking to better connect with their customers.
And, for the past few months that’s been happening with the addition of several new clients here at Suitcase.
We also expected that our new direction, and new client acquisitions would attract new, talented people who have signed up for the ride.
The latest arrival is Gordon Ellis who is Suitcase’s shiny, new, account director. Joining from Taxi, where he handled top brands such as Tourism Jasper, the University of Calgary, Southcentre Mall and a little airline known as WestJet. Gordon’s relationship focus, strategic acumen and keen eye for creative opportunities will be huge assets for Suitcase.
“To me, Suitcase is one of those agencies that gets it,” Gordon explains, “Advertising and communications is now about engagement. It’s about having a conversation with the consumer. It’s about finding out what they want and how they want to receive that information. Once you know that, your ROI is going to increase.”
Not surprisingly, starting conversations and increasing ROI are at the top of his list as he takes the reigns of our Jayman, and Mark’s accounts. He will also be collaborating with the rest of our team on digital marketing and engagement strategies for every client here at Suitcase.
If you want to pass along your congrats, or to confab with him about your company’s digital and engagement strategies, you can email Gordon at gordon@suitcaseinteractive.com
Category: Appointment Notices, Suitcase News, Uncategorized
November 5, 2010
Suitcase extends a warm welcome to Adam Goetz, who joined our client leadership team as of November, 2010. Adam will be helping redefine the role of Account Manager at Suitcase by blending his leadership skills with his insight and expertise on the latest trends in digital and interactive media.
Adam will be working with key clients to identify opportunities and develop long-term digital strategies focused on delivering results and ROI. Social media, location-based and web marketing is the name of his game.
Prior to joining Suitcase, Adam was Project Manager and Social Media Strategist at Karo Group, leading digital initiatives for clients like Calgary Stampede, SMART Technologies and Travel Alberta. Adam was the lead social media planner behind the notorious self-promotion project Flapjack Finder, which included a website, Facebook app, Twitter stream and a popular iPhone app. The campaign received three Anvil Awards, including Best Use Of Social Media.
Somehow Adam finds time to serve on the Board of Directors for Digital Alberta, and as a member of the TEDxYYC committee responsible for the marketing efforts: website, newsletter and print collateral. Adam is very proud to be a part of both of these organizations, and so are we.
Adam’s client experience includes:
Category: Appointment Notices, Suitcase News, Uncategorized
