Judges 2017
ALPHA ZULU KILO
Toronto, Ontario
Zulu Alpha Kilo is a Toronto-based creative company with a staff of 85 full-time “Zuligans.” Zulu was honored to be named Small Agency of the Year at the 2016 Ad Age Small Agency Awards. The conference and award show was held in Miami and it salutes outstanding independent shops across the globe with 150 or fewer employees. It was the first time a non-US shop has ever won the top award.
Since opening its doors in 2008, Zulu has grown each year despite not participating in over 80% of the pitches they’re invited to. Its client roster includes brands such as Bell, Cineplex, Corona & Modelo Especial, Harley-Davidson, Interac and ParticipACTION plus numerous project-based assignments. Everyone in the company belongs to one company-wide creative group, and free-spirited, collaborative ideation is one of the agency’s core principles.
YOUNG & LARAMORE ADVERTISING
Indianapolis, Indiana
Y&L is an award winning, independent, full-service agency located in a 1920’s schoolhouse in downtown Indianapolis. Over the last 30 years we’ve racked up a little bit of experience in creating, sustaining and leveraging epic brand stories for national consumer brands through our wide array of services including: strategic marketing and proprietary research, multi-platform media planning and buying and creative in every imaginable form.
Nelson Fortier
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Between helping well-known companies reinvent their brands at Publicis Seattle, Nelson also consults with startups seeking short-term growth and investment capital. In a past life, Nelson was a designer and part-time web developer. Over time, he realized his true passion of crafting holistic brand evolutions, not just ad campaigns. However, his artistry and creative skills are still alive and well but have now been applied to resurrecting a 63’ wooden motor yacht with his wife in Seattle.