Show: Our Work
^TOP
We'll help your brand take off.
In a market where business travellers were reluctant to use private air travel — for fear they would be seen as irresponsible spenders — we came on board to position Air Partners' charter jet service as a concrete and smart business decision. We redesigned the company logo and branded materials to give them a crisp, clean, and smart feel. Then we launched a tightly focused campaign that clearly spoke to the target audience about the business benefits of private air travel.
We'll help you with the big picture.
A Hard Sell
In a world where perceptions of oil are seemingly set in stone, Cenovus wanted to tell people how oil is used for so much more than fuel. Instead, we showed them.
The Heart of the Matter
From artificial limbs used to run marathons to ultrasound machines used to look at new life, our campaign showed how oil is vital to the product innovation that makes our lives better every day.
A New Perspective
The unexpected approach of the campaign attracted a great deal of positive response from both the public and the media, including a positive full-page article in the Globe and Mail.
TV
Little fish in a big pond? Let's make some waves.
Ready...
Erica Giuliani had an incredible line of footwear accessories and they wanted to make a splash in the fashion industry. Oh, they also wanted to do it on a shoestring budget.
Set...
We started with a fresh rebrand designed to showcase the line's style and versatility. Next, we launched an aggressive PR campaign that grabbed the attention of influential media outlets, stylists, and bloggers.
Go!
In the end, Erica Giuliani was featured in 35 media outlets. The campaign reached over five million people. All for only 0.0002 cents per person.
"We love the team at Venture!"
– Patricia Macri, Co-Owner, Erica Giuliani
Newspaper
Online
The Rebirth of a Brand.
Working to stay relevant in an ever-changing home design market was a challenge for this well-established family business. So we focused on their rich history of craftsmanship and presented their rugs as works of art. They became the talk of design circles and while the market was losing sales, their sales actually increased.
No matter how big you are, we can jumpstart you to the next level.
Despite a wide selection, the LCBO just wasn't seen as the place to go for beer drinkers. So we set up a Beer Expo, which invited customers to explore their wide range of international beers. And the LCBO saw their sales go up $7,000,000.
Let's get you in front of a new audience.
Subway needed to reach out to a younger demographic to support its growth objectives. How did we do it? Two simple rules: be honest and be funny. Our "Fresh Moments" campaign saw Canadian sales increase by 7% and the brand's online presence soared.
TV
Lost in the crowd? Let's head off-road.
A Heavy Load
In the Prairies, the pickup is king. Especially the Ford F-150. So how could we make the Toyota Tundra stand out in such a crowded marketplace? We discovered something very interesting: people who owned the Ford F-150 listed "fishing" as their favourite hobby.
Reeling Them In
So we came up with a fully integrated fishing-themed promotion, featuring a contest where the grand prize was a trip to a luxurious fishing lodge to compete in a fishing derby to win a Toyota Tundra. The fishing derby was then broadcast as a branded television program on Global TV.
The Catch of the Day
Call of the Tundra ran for five years and helped increase Toyota Truck sales in the Prairies by nearly 20%.
"Venture is a trusted and genuine partner who's always looking out for our best interests. We know we can rely on them to provide the support and expertise we need to face our business challenges."
- Dale Kane, Chairman, Prairie Toyota Dealers Association
Retail
We'll move mountains for you.
Off the Bunny Slope
Travel Alberta wanted to make Alberta the number one choice for Ontario skiers — before the season even began.
Go All Out
We ran a campaign that focused on the beauty of Alberta and its accessibility to Ontario travelers. This included a station domination at Toronto's Union station, which immersed subway riders in the Alberta ski experience.
An Awesome Run
The whole campaign was so successful, the traffic to the Travel Alberta website saw an increase of 153%.
Outdoor
Tell: Our Story
^TOP
Our History
Venture was established in Calgary in 1984.
Under the leadership of owner Arlene Dickinson, the agency expanded into Toronto, becoming
one of Canada's largest independent communications firms - the keyword being independent.
We are not an international. We are not a part of a network. We don't answer to New York.
We answer to our clients.
For more than 25 years, we've delivered advertising, PR, digital, design and media solutions for some of the biggest brands in Canada. We've always strived to take a holistic approach. In fact, Venture was integrated before integrated was even a thing. We've even picked up an award or two along the way.
But we refuse to label ourselves with buzzwords like convergent.
We refuse to associate ourselves with the attitude you've come to expect from a boutique.
We're too busy doing everything we can to reach people in the marketplace — as long as it holds true to our client's business plan.
Because at the very heart of our business, is concern for your business.
That's what makes us different in an industry full of people saying they're different
We're marketers driven by business minds.
Our Philosophy
Venture is a word that means taking a chance in the hopes of achieving great reward.
And in a world where people are being bombarded by new brands and more media channels than ever before, we have to be open to taking some chances.
We have to be provocative.
But Venture also means partnership. And in a world filled with fierce competition, tight budgets and even tighter timelines, the more we collaborate, the more effectively we operate. We have to listen to each other. We have to learn from each other. We have to be true to your business plan.
We have to be purposeful.
That's the philosophy of "marketing driven by business minds".
Developing the business solution first and the media second.
Leveraging this solution through innovative and impactful communications.
Demanding work that's both creative and accountable.
It's a philosophy we can all believe in.
Our People
We here at Venture believe that a little wisdom can go a long way. Which is why we look for more experienced people who love to bring a new perspective to things.
Some of us have owned our own company.
Some of us have worked the big agencies.
Some of us have worked client-side for brands like Air Miles, Microsoft, Holt Renfrew and WestJet.
But what we all have in common is the desire to do something remarkable for the businesses we work on. We want to get to know you. We want to listen to you. We want to learn everything we can about your business so that our marketing recommendation is as unique as you are.
It's what makes us enjoy coming to the office in the morning.
It's what keeps us here working late.
It's a passion you can sense from the first time you sit down with us.
It's a fire that drives us to get to the heart of the problem and come up with a solution that will change a client's business for the better.
So pick up the phone,
call us and see for yourself.
Careers
^TOP
There's a saying that the three most important factors in real estate are "location, location, location". Well, in marketing, it's "people, people, people". In order to deliver the very best marketing solutions to our clients, we need the very best people.
Simply put: the better the people, the better the work.
This is why we are always on the lookout for the most passionate, most curious, and most dedicated talent. So, if you are interested in working in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment, send your résumé to careers(at)venturecommunications.ca.
Online Marketing Analyst (Calgary, Alberta / Toronto, Ontario)
Overview:
Due to increasing client demand we are expanding our online analytics team. We are seeking a candidate that has mastered Google analytics and thrives on seeing this information drive clients' business objectives. You will understand clients' needs and recommend the analytics measurements that yield the insights required to optimize their online marketing efforts.
This position is part of the Venture Strategy Community and offers support to the Client Marketing and Interactive communities.
Requirements:- 2-3 years experience in Web analytics, particularly Google Analytics;
- Capabilities in developing metrics dashboards to see which ads, keywords, networks, etc. are bringing website visits and conversion;
- The ability to provide meaningful and actionable insights through the Google analytics tool set in order to identify optimization opportunities;
- Time management skills in order to provide weekly, monthly and quarterly reports on campaign progress and ongoing optimization efforts;
- Comfort in addressing ad hoc inquiries in a fast paced environment;
- Attention to detail and accuracy on all project work;
- Ability to collaborate with media, creative and interactive teams to ensure digital assets are tagged and measured within Google analytics accurately;
- Drive and interest in being on top of the latest web analytics trends and best practice;
- Google Analytics certification;
- Proficiency in Power Point, Word and Excel.
To apply for this position please email a resume and cover letter to Linda Williams at lwilliams@openminds.ca.
Digital Media Specialist (Calgary, Alberta / Toronto, Ontario)
Overview:
The Digital Media Specialist is responsible for developing digital media strategies, execution and ongoing campaign optimization and reporting. The Digital Media Specialist will work closely with internal agency teams, media partners and clients to ensure successful campaigns that meet the clients marketing and advertising goals.
Requirements:- 3 to 5 years experience planning and buying paid digital media including online display, CPC, search, social;
- Strong understanding of digital media and site stats in order to successfully optimize and report on digital media campaigns;
- A deep understanding of digital technology to liaise with digital production and creative teams;
- Drive and interest in being on top of trends and new digital advertising options including channels, placement and ad formats;
- Ability to present to internal teams and clients;
- Quality assurance and attention to details of all project work;
- Strong teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills;
- Proficient in PowerPoint, Word and Excel;
To apply for this position please email a resume and cover letter to Stacey McIntyre at stacey@openminds.ca.
The Brief: Our Blog
^TOP
This is our blog. It works like a blog. Coming soon to an internet near you.
And visit Arlene Dickinson’s blog at arlenedickinson.com.
Contact
^TOP
If you're on the hunt for fresh ideas fused with strategic thinking, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with Jennifer Cioffi, President of Venture Communications, at president(at)venturecommunications.ca.
If you are looking to contact Arlene Dickinson directly, please email info@bilah.ca.