So, what's our story?
Back in 2002 Suitcase’s founders started the agency as a sideline to a record label they were launching, This lasted about as long as it took them to get hungry, and they quickly realized that their real passion was found in creating user-focused interactive campaigns, websites and related creative executions.
Close to a decade later, that drive is still present as we add the exciting world of location-based and mobile applications to our quiver, and expand into eastern Canada with our Ontario office.
Small description would go here to tell the visitor what happened that year.
2-3
March 2002
Suitcase Design is born as part agency, part record label. The first (and last) band signed was called Tourist.
2-4
April 2002
First clients sign on – Master’s Academy and College and Britannia Wine Merchants (ecommerce).
2-10
October 2002
Handball court is added to new office, league formed that included clients and financial analysts which made us happy.
3-1
January 2003
Suitcase Advisory Board, a group of businesspeople that guides our business and our people is formed.
3-3
March 2003
New name – Suitcase Creative. New services. New clients follow including CIBC Wood Gundy, Shell and MGM Communications.
4-5
May 2004
The trio becomes a quartet with our first hire – Designer/Developer Dan Johansson.
4-6
June 2004
No more sharing office space – we finally have a place to ourselves on the ninth floor of the Hopewell Tower.
4-7
July 2004
With a new space to fill, we welcome our second employee – Office Manager Leanne Wood.
4-8
August 2004
With a travel-themed name, it seemed natural to sign WestJet Airlines as a client.
4-11
November 2004
We launch Project Smile our charity and a life-changing endeavor for everyone who participates.
5-2
February 2005
New name and focus – Suitcase Interactive Inc, our focus becomes digital advertising and web development.
5-3
March 2005
We sign two major U.S. clients: yacht builder Burger Boat Co. and Bohlke Veneers.
5-4
April 2005
We begin our relationship with The Mustard Seed, an organization that responds to the needs of the less fortunate.
5-8
August 2005
Suitcase wine tasting results in our Business Development Director being passed out under the boardroom table.
6-1
January 2006
Suitcase has a huge growth spurt and hires team members that deliver multiple new disciplines.
6-3
March 2006
Suitcase cabin hosts many fun weekend for staff and partners.
6-4
April 2006
Suitcase named Interactive Agency of the Year.
6-5
May 2006
Our roster grows as we add many new clients such as Pattison, Artevo, and the United Way.
6-8
August 2006
A staff tradition is born as we hold our first, and soon to be annual Mini Golf Tournament.
7-1
January 2007
We welcome Shaw as a client, and our first Shaw project the Snailskis wins multiple awards.
7-2
February 2007
Suitcase CEO Ryan Gill named to Calgary Inc. Top 40 under 40 list.
8-1
January 2008
We once again move offices to accommodate growth.
8-2
February 2008
Ping-Pong table arrives, many tournaments held, and many holes from people running into walls while playing full out.
8-3
March 2008
We add The Forzani Group as a client and start work on Coast Mountain Sports, and Athletes World brands.
8-4
April 2008
We begin monthly Ronald MacDonald House trips to cook for the families that live there while their children are sick.
8-5
May 2008
Working hard leads to “hurry hard” as we hold the first of our annual curling tournaments.
8-7
July 2008
A big goose egg courtesy of a mother goose on our balcony.
8-11
November 2008
Took a group of 17 people to Mazatlan Mexico for our annual Project Smile trip. Our biggest group ever.
9-1
January 2009
Like everyone else we put our heads down and work our asses off to get through the recession.
9-11
November 2009
Found another new office. We really like it here and think we’ll stay a while.
10-5
May 2010
Worked with Blair Enns to set us apart in a very crowded market. Now focusing on the full customer journey.
10-8
August 2010
Opened Kingston, Ontario office to service Pattison Outdoor, Corel, Niagara Falls Tourism and other eastern clients.
11-1
January 2011
Suitcase begins working with Mark’s Work Wearhouse
11-6
June 2011
Digital Agency of the Year Award presented by Digital Alberta
11-7
June 2011
Ryan Gill is selected as one of Calgary’s Leaders of tomorrow
Who runs Suitcase?
As CEO Ryan pursues and solidifies relationships for Suitcase. Since founding the company he has been responsible for adding many of the world-class brands that make up the Suitcase roster.
Ryan’s vision and business acumen led to the creation and inclusion of our Interactive Brand Discovery as part of our offerings for our clients. This along with Ryan’s drive for excellence has been instrumental in seeing us grow to handling the digital branding, campaigns and websites for international brands.
Not only has this led to many collective successes for Suitcase and our clients, but Ryan has also be honoured with multiple industry and related awards including being named to Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 list in 2007. Ryan also drives Suitcase’s philanthropic efforts, and helped found Project Smile that operates as part of Suitcase Interactive.
Not your average strategist, Joel’s fine arts training allows him to move past the cold, estranged info of pie charts and offer strategies that are practical, smart and elegantly simple.
Joel’s unique ability to imagine the future applications of technology in the hands of the users is paired with his focus on creating efficiencies in the present. This one-two combo allows Suitcase’s clients a rare advantage.
Under Trent’s direction, Suitcase has become recognized as an innovative company with a unique approach to design and creativity that is always as strategic as it is engaging.
Take a quick look at the work in our portfolio, or the awards on our shelves and they all have linkages to Trent’s skills both as a creator and leader for the team of designers, writers and developers here at Suitcase. In every project, regardless of size or medium, Trent focuses on the real value of the product or service and ensures that the work we produce resonates with authenticity.
Having joined Suitcase after leaving Toronto, Rob has returned to Ontario to lead our Kingston-based office and help us connect with a completely new collection of companies. A seasoned marketing communications and creative professional, Rob has over 12 years of combined leadership experience in both traditional and interactive design, account and project management.
A little self-promotion never hurts.
These awards do more than just highlight our team's strengths, they also represent the trust our clients have placed in our thinking.
