Akcelo launches in North America, opening in Canada with three foundation clients

Fast growing Australian brand experience and innovation company Akcelo has opened its doors in Canada with TikTok, the Tribeca Film Festival and a multinational e-commerce retailer as foundation clients.

The Vancouver based Akcelo team is being led by senior marketing executive and Canadian native, Jason Carnew.

Carnew has held senior roles across integrated agencies including BMF, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington, Havas Sydney, Y&R and Haystac. He has led premier brands including Procter & Gamble, Diageo, Airbnb, Facebook, Instagram, HBO and Lenovo and his work has been recognised globally, including a D&AD Black Pencil and Cannes Lion for Good award for Project Revoice on behalf of the ALS Association.

Launched last year by the former Australia and New Zealand CEO of VMLY&R, Aden Hepburn, Akcelo has enjoyed rapid growth as marketers recognise the need to inject brand and creativity into customer experiences in order to unlock growth.

Says Hepburn: “On the back of growing interest in Akcelo’s model internationally, we’re taking the opportunity to expand Akcelo into Canada at a time when the need to fuse brand and customer experience is gaining greater traction with marketing decision makers.

“It is a huge privilege to be able to open our doors internationally, partner with fantastic brands, brilliant people and ultimately have Jason lead the team. He is an outstanding leader who truly understands how to bring experience, emotion, creativity and technology together to create brand experiences.”

Adds Carnew: “I’m absolutely thrilled to partner with Akcelo and launch the first office outside of Australia. Besides being the smartest and bravest team I’ve ever met in the industry, they have built a model that delivers unique branded experiences that drive true affinity and memorability for customers. I’m looking forward to building the team and our brand in Canada and across North America.”

With a focus on identifying the best talent, wherever in the world it may be, Akcelo will scale up its team over the coming months and is already hiring locally while working alongside the Australian team.