Australian brand experience and innovation company Akcelo has opened its doors in Canada with TikTok, the Tribeca Film Festival and a multinational e-commerce retailer as foundation clients.
The Vancouver based Akcelo team is being led by senior marketing executive and Canadian native, Jason Carnew.
Carnew has held senior roles across integrated agencies including BMF, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington, Havas Sydney, Y&R and Haystac.
He has led brands including Procter & Gamble, Diageo, Airbnb, Facebook, Instagram, HBO and Lenovo and his work has been recognised globally, including a D&AD Black Pencil and Cannes Lion for Good award for Project Revoice on behalf of the ALS Association.
Akcelo waunched last year by the former Australia and New Zealand CEO of VMLY&R, Aden Hepburn.
“On the back of growing interest in Akcelo’s model internationally, we’re taking the opportunity to expand Akcelo into Canada at a time when the need to fuse brand and customer experience is gaining greater traction with marketing decision makers," Akcelo says.
“It is a huge privilege to be able to open our doors internationally, partner with fantastic brands, brilliant people and ultimately have Jason lead the team. He is an outstanding leader who truly understands how to bring experience, emotion, creativity and technology together to create brand experiences.”
Carnew says he is thrilled to be able to launch Akcelo's first office outside of Australia.
“IBesides being the smartest and bravest team I’ve ever met in the industry, they have built a model that delivers unique branded experiences that drive true affinity and memorability for customers," Carnew says.
"I’m looking forward to building the team and our brand in Canada and across North America.”
With a focus on identifying the best talent, wherever in the world it may be, Akcelo will scale up its team over the coming months and is already hiring locally while working alongside the Australian team.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.