This New Toronto Shop Takes its Name from a Shakespearean Classic

“Juliet doesn’t need to be your full service anything,” says Ryan Spelliscy, co-founder and chief creative officer of Toronto’s newest shop. “We’re a tap made up of creative strategists, writers, designers, producers, media planners and other rebellious minds, that attaches to your existing infrastructure. Our one true love is creative-thinking.”

Having only just launched, Juliet has attracted clients large and small in both the US and Canada.

Juliet is truly independent, and therefore built to welcome collaboration. “We don’t believe that any one place can do everything well,” says Spelliscy. “For example, analytics isn’t our speciality. But we have huge respect for it. So we partner with the best player in that field rather than try to be them.”

The agency’s name was inspired by Shakespeare’s famous character says co-founder and chief strategy officer Sarah Stringer. “Juliet was a badass who had the conviction to chase what could be over what’s always been.”

“We can relate because we believe a lot of what’s always been in the advertising industry should be left behind. If we want to connect with human beings, we need to tell more interesting stories, in more interesting places, and add real value to their lives. Helping brands reach their true potential requires solving challenges beyond the walls of traditional marketing departments.”

Juliet’s team boasts impeccable agency credentials. Spelliscy has spent time at a variety of top shops, including Goodby Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco. At 36, he was named chief creative officer of JWT. It’s a post that made him one of the youngest people to ever run a network agency. Stringer’s 16 year career has included increasingly senior roles with agencies including BBH New York and most recently, she held the top consumer insights job at Toronto consulting firm Jackman Reinvents. Co-founder head of art Denise Cole spent time at Cutwater in San Francisco, and has been awarded three D&AD pencils and two Cannes lions in the last year alone.

The shop has also enlisted Susan Holden – the former chief financial officer of Mother New York, as well as a two-time Emmy nominee and former member of the Hillary For America Finance Committee – as CFO.

“I think the fact that our CFO has been nominated for two Emmys tells you just how committed we are about having creative thinking permeate all aspects of this company,” says Cole. “No one really knows what questions tomorrow will bring, but the answers will always be found in creativity. We believe that with all of our heart. Even if it kills us.”