We’ve got some news we’re genuinely excited to share. Alister just took home a Gold Telly Award in Branded Content & Sound Design for our work on The Essence of Canada with Clearly Canadian.

Still feels a little surreal saying that out loud.

What really makes this one special is the company we were up against. Pepsi came in second in the same category. And while we’re not usually into comparisons, seeing a small, independent Canadian agency land gold alongside a global brand like that definitely made us stop and smile for a second.

It’s a big moment for our team. A validating one. And a reminder that thoughtful, well-crafted work can compete at the highest level.

The Project: Capturing a Feeling, Not Just a Product

The Essence of Canada wasn’t about features, formats, or flashy tricks. It was about emotion. About nostalgia. About the subtle, hard-to-define feeling of growing up Canadian.

Clearly Canadian is an iconic brand. For a lot of people, it’s tied to memories. Corner stores. Road trips. Hockey arenas. Childhood summers. Our challenge wasn’t to reinvent that story, but to honour it and translate it into something that feels modern without losing its soul.

That meant being incredibly intentional with pacing, sound, and restraint. The sound design wasn’t there to impress. It was there to disappear, to support the visuals and quietly pull you into the atmosphere.

Every layer of audio was designed to feel familiar, calm, and quietly emotional. The kind of soundscape you don’t notice consciously, but you feel it working.

Why the Sound Design Mattered So Much

This category win is especially meaningful because sound design is often overlooked. It’s one of those things people only notice when it’s bad.

In this case, sound was the backbone. It carried the mood. It stitched together visuals, memory, and brand into one cohesive experience. From subtle ambient textures to transitions that feel more felt than heard, everything was crafted to serve the story.

The Telly judges recognized that craft, and that means a lot to our team.

Beating the Big Guys (Just This Once)

We’re not the type to measure ourselves against massive global brands every day. Different games, different resources, different realities.

But we’d be lying if we said it didn’t feel good to see our name above Pepsi’s on that page.

It’s proof that thoughtful ideas, strong creative direction, and real care for craft can stand toe-to-toe with anyone. You don’t need a massive machine. You need clarity, trust, and a team that gives a damn.

A Big Thanks, and What This Means for Us

Huge credit goes to Clearly Canadian for trusting us with a brand that holds real cultural weight. Projects like this only work when clients are willing to slow down, focus on quality, and let the story breathe.

This Gold Telly is a reminder of why we do what we do. We’re here to create work that feels human, intentional, and emotionally resonant. Awards are great, but what matters more is knowing the work connected, and that it holds up on a global stage.

We’re incredibly proud of this one. And yes, we’re going to enjoy it for a bit before getting back to work.

If you’re curious, you can check out the full project here.

And if you’re wondering whether a small agency can deliver world-class branded content, well, we think this answers that pretty clearly.

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