Heads + Tales has picked up a number of new assignments and bolstered its client services team with three fresh hires as the agency marks its eighth month of operation.

The integrated shop, which was launched in January by Amanda Shuchat and Katie Muir, has secured PR mandates with outerwear brand Canada Goose, restaurant chain IHOP, early childhood education provider CEFA and non-profit foundation Together We Stand. The wins are attributed to strong relationship-building, alongside “a unique culture-hacking approach that we bring to the table,” says Katie Muir, co-founder of the agency.

“We all understand that the media landscape is changing, and certainly even more now with Bill C-18 in the world. Newsrooms are shrinking, and it is harder and harder to get client coverage in the news,” she adds. “Our unique approach is one that makes it so clients still see their names in the news. We’re able to break through and create interesting conversations about their products and services. When we’ve been able to get in front of them with our strategic approach, they’ve been excited by the offering.”

According to co-founder Amanda Shuchat, the agency’s talent-first model – and the talent it has been able to attract as a result – has also had an appeal for prospective clients.

“We live in a culture right now where really fostering employees and their mental health, and where diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are all paramount,” she explains. “Our approach, with the coaching model that nobody else has, has allowed us to attract best-in-class talent.”

Among those talents is recent hire Lauren Orlando (pictured, right), who has joined the agency as a senior director. Orlando has moved to the agency from Hill + Knowlton Strategies, where she had worked as an account director for nearly three years. Over the past decade she has held account services roles at a number of other agencies, as well, including Sister Merci, Citizen Relations and Edelman. At Heads + Tales, she will “help lead on some clients with a focus on creative and strategy,” says Shuchat.

Also joining the agency are Sheril Bose as an account manager and Shania Simon as an account executive. Further additions will be made in the near future, adds Shuchat, as the agency is still hiring and anticipates reaching a headcount of 12 by the end of September.