We are a
multi-disciplinary
creative collective.
We are equal parts strategy and craft. We exist to build ideas and content that spread into the lives and hearts of our audience. And we have a blast doing it.
Philosophy
Strategy and research are nothing without craft and storytelling. And the true measure of an idea is the willingness of its audience to share and spread the idea on their own.
Mandate
We aspire to partner with those who share our ambition to generate and accelerate brands through understanding and imagination. We also believe that fit and chemistry with our partners are critical to our mutual success. After all, we’re in it together.
Christina Yu, Creative Director
Christina is a big thinker. And she proudly doesn’t show favouritism when it comes to media. She loves design, digital, and traditional advertising. Whatever it takes to get the job done. It’s this kind of thinking that has brought her success at agencies like Taxi, BBDO, and Lowe Roche, which was named Agency of the Year by Marketing Magazine just two years after she joined as Creative Director.
Steve Carli, President
Steve is a strategic planner by trade. He’s been studying what makes people do what they do for 25 years. And he’s put his findings to use at agencies like Roche Macaulay, which was named Ad Age’s International Agency of the Year during his tenure, and Hadrian’s Wall, the creative boutique agency he co-founded in Chicago. Now his job is to help put Red Urban on the map.
Joel Pylypiw, Creative
Joel’s nickname is Pile-o-Poo, but it’s definitely not a description of his abilities. He cut his teeth at DDB, where he turned a two-month internship into a full-time position with a lot of hard work and good ideas. During his career, he’s helped build brands for clients like Capital One, Clorox, Philips, Knorr, Subaru, and Blockbuster.
Caroline Kilgour, Account Director
Caroline got her start in politics. But we forgive her. Since joining Red Urban in 2010, her considerable experience in digital, planning, automotive, and retail has been put to good use. When she’s not building brands or soothsaying clients, Caroline can be found floating in a canoe in Georgian Bay.
Nicole Milette , Account Director
Nicole brings with her a diverse background. Starting in online production, she quickly moved into account services and online strategy. A true lover of all things built with 1’s and 0’s, Nicole’s role at Red Urban is to make our digital initiatives and strategy extra awesome.
Andrea Hull, Producer
Andrea is a serial dabbler. She has dabbled in the veterinary arts, account service, heavy metal and, most recently, advertising. But since joining Red Urban, Andrea has finally found her true calling: getting stuff done.
Jon Taylor, Creative
Jon won the art award for his high school class and has never looked back. Well, except for when he ran with the bulls in Pamplona. Oh, and when he was youth security on cruise ships in the Caribbean, he was always having to watch his back. But now that he's at Red Urban, we've got Jon's back. And he's got ours.
Damian Simev, Creative
Damian hails from a little town called Skopje, in good ol' Macedonia. Cast out of his native land for refusing to eat meat, Damian set off to Canada to pursue vegetarianism – and advertising. And now that he's landed at Red Urban, he fully intends on making his mark. A curious observer and multi-talented Art Director, Damian is often spotted with a notebook in hand and a smile across his face.
Matt Syberg-Olsen, Creative
Calm, cool and collected, Matt’s what you’d call a “savvy veteran.” He’s the first to arrive in the morning, and the last one out at night. And when he puts his head down to work, the job gets done right. That’s why it’s no small wonder that after 16 years in the biz, he’s been on the receiving end of numerous awards, both nationally and internationally. Matt brings to Red Urban experience and an uncanny eye for the big idea.
Sonia Ruckemann, Account Supervisor
Sonia got her advertising training the way most of us do: as the Assistant Manager of a Swiss hotel. So, not only does she have exceptional taste in chocolate and a real knack for telling time, she also gets things done efficiently, precisely and excellently. If you get a chance, ask her to yodel. She loves that.
Damien Servoz, Account Coordinator
You should know that Damien is French. From France. Which means that everything he says automatically sounds 34% better. In fact, even though we know that Damien worked on McDonald's and Nissan in France, he told us he's the president and once won the moon in a game of poker. And we believe him and his devilishly charming accent.
Dave Barber, Creative
Dave enjoys a good portage. Meaning, he likes to carry canoes. Over his head. For long distances. And that says a lot about his work ethic: Give him a heavy load and he’ll carry it. Boisterous, inquisitive and quick with a joke, Dave brings a whole lotta personality to the table. Now that’s he’s found a home at Red Urban, it’s safe to say that he’s a happy camper.
Liam Johnstone, Creative
A graduate of OCAD, Liam is a bit of a design fiend. And his work makes it clear: he loves what he does. A world traveler and a patron of the arts, Liam recently spent time teaching design classes in Rome. No big deal. Endowed with a keen eye and a knack for solving problems, Liam looks to play a big role in shaping Red Urban’s future success.
Melanie Bosomworth, Senior Account Executive
An honours philosophy major, Mel can put together a pretty good argument for why a brand should, or shouldn't, do anything. Or even if the brand actually exists. However, in her career to date, Mel seems to have adopted the philosophy of just being awesome at her job. And we're cool with that.
Lance Kowlessar, Account Intern
Lance spent his formative years in Vancouver before heading for the bright lights of the T-dot. And while he’s seemingly easy-going, when push comes to shove, he’s all business. A music fanatic and a pasta lover, he also knows how to enjoy the finer things in life. And ladies, if Lance sounds like the total package, there's a reason for that: he is.