PS&Co Brand Studio is establishing its presence in Canada’s largest market, by adding John Furneaux as its managing director, Toronto.

Furneaux brings more than 30 years of experience working in brand strategy, design and leadership, including founding B3 Strategy, his own strategic brand consultancy. He has also held leadership roles with Cossette, Ove Brand/Design and Publicis.

Furneaux first worked with the existing partners of PS&Co during his time as managing director of Karacters Design Group, a division of DDB Canada, from 2005 to 2008, before collaborating on various projects in the years since.

The expansion to Toronto comes after PS&Co, a purpose-driven agency, was founded in 2020.  The partnership is designed to leverage Furneaux and PS&Co’s collective experience in strategy, brand design and project leadership, the agency says. Furneaux also increases the team’s experience in working in such verticals as health care, post-secondary institutions, financial services, and food and beverage.

“We are thrilled to establish our presence in Toronto, and with John joining us, we are confident in our ability to bring innovative solutions to new clients in the Toronto market and further east,” PS&Co partner and president Patty Jones said.

Furneaux added: “I’m a strong believer in the mix of rigour and creativity the PS&Co team, led by creative director James Bateman, applies to brand strategy and design. And with our purpose-led values and commitments, I’m excited to lead the agency’s growth in Toronto.”

PS&Co moved away from its formal partnership with DDB in 2022, taking on the new moniker of PS&Co Brand Studio as it merged its advertising, digital and brand businesses.