Zulu Alpha Kilo Awarded Platinum Status in Canada’s Best Managed Companies

For the seventh consecutive year, the Canadian 'creative company', as Zulu Alpha Kilo refers to itself, has once again achieved the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation as vetted through Deloitte. However, this year the agency also joins the prestigious Platinum Club. Only leading organisations that have been Best Managed companies for seven years or more are considered for Platinum status through a rigorous screening process.

The Best Managed program recognizes the best-in-class of Canadian-owned and managed companies demonstrating strategy, capability, and commitment to achieving sustainable growth. 

Now in its 31st year, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognising Canadian-owned and managed companies for fearless leadership, relentless innovation, and world-class business practices. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities, practices, and long-term vision.

A common theme among winners is their commitment to defining organisational purpose. By defining and implementing it throughout all levels of their business, winners are gleaning the competitive edge that comes with leading and doing business in a purpose-led environment.

“We feel incredibly honoured to receive Platinum Status as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. It’s the result of a combined effort from the entire company and a stamp of excellence for our leadership team,” said Mike Sutton, president and CEO. “From the day our doors opened, Zak had a clear and inspirational vision for the type of company we’d become, and that vision continues to come to life,” added Mike.

2024 Best Managed companies share commonalities that include a clear strategy and vision, investment in capability and commitment to talent. Over the past seven years, Z.A.K. has been cited for their innovative business practices and culture, driven by staying the course with its core values. While the agency could be double its current size, it’s chosen a very considered path to growth by being highly selective about the opportunities it takes on. 

Z.A.K.’s consistent international recognition has been a contributing factor in its sustained success. In 2024, this has included recognition from Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies and being featured in Ad Age’s A-list as one of the year’s standout agencies of the year. The shop recently shortlisted as Campaign’s Global Creative Agency of the Year and Independent Agency of the Year, where it took home Silver and Bronze in the same two categories in 2022. Locally, they have consistently ranked amongst the top agencies at Strategy’s Agency of the Year competition.

Among the factors contributing to Z.A.K.’s seven-year winning streak is its innovative, counter-intuitive business practices, track record of well managed growth, and its unique culture, driven by a set of uncompromising core values. “Having some of Canada’s top business leaders recognise us in this way is an incredible honour,” said Zak Mroueh, founder and creative chairman, “Even though we’re now nearing 200 people, across three offices, size doesn’t define us. Sticking to our core values and beliefs have been key to our success and growth.”

The lists of new and recurring 2024 winners of Best Managed Companies will be published online in the Report on Business magazine section of The Globe and Mail's website on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024. The print issue of the magazine will be available 25th May, 2024. Winners will be honoured in person at the annual gala on Wednesday 15th May at the Toronto Metro convention centre.