Unity Brands names Maple its new growth partner
DTC growth accelerator Maple is the new growth partner for Unity Brands.
Maple will now oversee an extensive mandate encompassing demand generation, brand strategy and content, marketplace management, advanced analytics and the integration of AI-driven marketing technologies. The initiative will focus on accelerating the direct-to-consumer growth strategies for Unity Brands’ portfolio, which includes Tilley, Kit+Ace, Mastermind Toys and Gry Mattr.
As part of this collaboration, Daniel Koppenol (pictured) joins Maple as partner and chief strategy and brand officer.
He is most recently chief marketing officer of Tilley, with expertise in DTC, strategic brand-building, growth marketing and digital acceleration.
He is also managing director of 7 Ventures, the multi-stage investment, brand development, and advisory firm.
Prior, Koppenol was VP marketing, ECD at Hudson’s Bay.
“Unity Brands represents a collection of extraordinary Canadian brands with untapped potential for growth,” said Sachin Arora, CEO of Maple. “At Maple, we specialize in unlocking that potential by combining creativity, operational excellence, and cutting-edge technology, empowered by AI.
“The partnership allows us to bring our philosophy of profitable growth to life, enabling Tilley, Kit+Ace Mastermind Toys, and Gry Mattr to thrive in today’s dynamic marketplace,” Arora added.
Tux Creative House teams up with Rainbow Railroad
Tux Creative House is partnering with Rainbow Railroad, a global organization dedicated to helping at-risk members of the LGBTQI+ community who are facing violence and persecution.
This collaboration, driven through the shop’s community impact platform Tux Karma, demonstrates its “deep commitment to equity, inclusion and creating meaningful change,” according to the release.
Through this partnership and an initial donation of $60,000, this year Tux will help 12 to 15 individuals with critical emergency travel through Rainbow Railroad’s Emergency Travel Support program – covering relocation, housing, medical care and post-resettlement aid. To further amplify this impact, TUX will match employee donations dollar-for-dollar.
The agency team will also have the opportunity to play an active role through fundraising, volunteering, and educational initiatives. As part of the partnership, TUX will also leverage its platforms to spotlight Rainbow Railroad’s mission and inspire broader community
engagement, including the next edition of Remous, which will showcase Rainbow Railroad.
New division launched by Academy
Ad agency Academy is unveiling a new partnerships division. The agency says the new division will marry the principles of public relations with social-first advertising.
To lead the new division, Megan Leahy (pictured) joins Academy as executive vice president and partnerships and communications with 12 years of public relations experience, including eight years as an independent consultant for clients like Bumble, Etsy, Momofuku, Live Nation and Universal Music Canada.
She is a former account manager with recently acquired Rock-It Promotions, working on a brand roster that included Four Seasons Hotel and Cafe Boulud, Helix Healthcare Group and Indiegogo. She is a former Paris-based fashion photographer and Toronto Life food and drink contributor.
“We are different than a traditional PR or influencer agency because we are marrying the principles of PR with in-house creative production and are measuring the work by ad industry standards,” says Sabrina Babooram, Academy’s partner and head of strategy.
Academy was initially formed by united content offering, Studio Sophomore with performance-focused creative shop Abacus.
