What do you do when your only proof of work is a haiku—and it actually lands you a job? Jon Manning reflects on his path from actor to award-winning copywriter, the highs and lows of freelance life, and his return to agency work with Brandish. We talk about staying curious, surrendering control (acquiescing—look it up), and what it means to “flex” in this industry. Whether you’re a writer, creative, or just figuring it out as you go, this episode’s got something for you.

What does it take to build a brand that stands for something—and stands the test of time? Kendall Barber, co-founder of Poppy Barley, joins the podcast to share her journey from a marketing career to launching and scaling one of Canada’s most beloved footwear brands.

We dive into Poppy Barley's early days, from the spark of an idea on a trip to Bali to a bold six-month ultimatum that set the business in motion. Kendall opens up about the highs (hitting that first million!) and the hard choices (pivoting from custom footwear to in-stock inventory). Plus, she shares her thoughts on Poppy Barley’s brand longevity, the power of values-driven growth, and the unique challenges—and rewards—of running a company with her sister.

If you're an entrepreneur, a marketer, or just someone who loves a well-crafted brand (or shoe), this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Tune in now!

How do you balance the business side of advertising with the desire to make a real difference in the world? In this episode, we dive into it with Ryan Kelly, Vice President of Communications and Community Partnerships at the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Ryan shares his journey from creative director in top Edmonton agencies to his current role in the non-profit world, where his work directly impacts cancer research and patient support.

We discuss the challenges of aligning personal values with professional work, the transformative power of storytelling and strategy, and the emotional moments that have defined his career—like the riderless bike procession at the Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer. Plus, hear the behind-the-scenes story of how Ryan’s team collaborated with the Arkells for a powerful year-end campaign.

Whether you’re a student, a seasoned pro, or just curious about how marketing can drive change, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Tune in now and rediscover the good that marketing can do!

On this special "State of the Industry" episode of In The Business of Something, we dive into the forces shaping the marketing industry for 2025. We are joined by four incredible voices offering diverse perspectives and insights:

• Heather Thompson, Vice President of Strategy, Research, and Engagement at the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, discusses the economic slowdown's impact on businesses and consumers.
• Rob Jennings - Founder & CEO of FKA, discusses how economic pressures reshape client strategies and creative execution.
• Robyn Dawson, Media Director at Kick Media, highlights the challenges of tighter budgets and the value of local media.
• Sarah Paterson, a recent NAIT Marketing graduate and ACE volunteer, shares her journey entering a competitive and limited job market.

Together, we explore key challenges, opportunities, and trends, from navigating affordability and demand generation to the evolving dynamics of labour and media buying. Tune in for actionable insights and a well-rounded look at what lies ahead next year for our industry.

On this episode of In The Business Of Something, we dive into the world of video production with Colleen Nuc and Amy McBain, the dynamic duo that fuels Hoopla, scrappy production studio making waves here in Edmonton. We get right into how Colleen started Hoopla looking for more creative opportunity, and eventually brought on Amy. The two of them have carved out a niche in the industry thanks to their creativity, passion, and knack for storytelling.

From navigating early career challenges to landing big-deal city projects that went viral, Colleen and Amy share insights into their creative process, their recent ventures like self-produced International Women's Day projects, and their aspirations for tackling bigger, bolder productions in the future.

Whether you're in the industry or simply love some Hoopla, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in the world of video production.

On this episode of In the Business of Something, we're talking all things banking with co-host Danna Stephens, Associate Director of Marketing at ATB Financial and her colleagues Eldon Kymson and Jenn Manning, Associate Creative Directors at ATB.

Eldon and Jenn share their unconventional career journeys from science and musical theatre to advertising. They discuss their roles in shaping ATB's creative evolution, including how their unique backgrounds help them see creativity opportunity within the practical world of finance.

Highlighting their work on the recent "Powering Possibility" brand campaign, they emphasize the importance of meeting people where they're at and standing out in the banking industry through a humanized, optimistic vision of personal finance that resonates with a diverse group of Albertans. They also reflect on the benefits of working in-house, where they can infuse the brand’s promise into the company culture, making a tangible impact beyond the traditional limits of advertising.

On this episode of In The Business of Something, we talk with the Best in Show award winners from the 45th Annual ACE Awards. This work was recognized by the esteemed judging panel as a stand-out project, worthy of the global stage.

Justin Archer and Dennis Lenarduzzi, from Berlin Communications, join ACE President Carla McNeil, to take us behind the scenes of how Confetti Fridays came to life and eventually ended up winning the most prestigious award of the night.

Confetti Fridays was a free summer concert series hosted by Michael Phair, Alberta’s first openly gay city councillor, in the downtown park named after him. Launched in June for Pride Month, the series brought the community together weekly for live music, DJ sets and drag shows. Michael Phair Park is surrounded by a mural titled “Confetti,“ which floods all surrounding walls and sidewalks with a shower of rainbow dots. The look and feel of the lunchtime summer series creative was inspired by this mural along with cues pulled from the Memphis movement and 80’s pop art halftones – which is about the time that Michael Phair was making history here in Edmonton.

The creative applied the vibrant colours of the pride flag in circle motifs that mimic the confetti mural, creating a joyful and energetic “more is more” aesthetic that celebrates Edmonton’s diversity, the parade of colourful queens who performed at Confetti Fridays, and Michael Phair’s iconic personal style.

On this episode of In The Business of Something, our guest is Breanne Kraus, Director of Communications & Marketing at Alberta Cancer Foundation. We sit down with Breanne to learn about the world of cause marketing through the lens of a non-profit organization leading cancer research and patient support in our province. It's a complex role full of variety that takes you from intimate stories of cancer patients, to breakthrough discoveries, funding announcements, and major gifts.

We learn about Breanne’s journey to finally discovering a career that fulfills her every day and how she ended up there after years of searching. From working in publishing to startups, entrepreneurship and finally volunteering for ACF which led to much more.

Breanne is living proof that every job has a lesson to teach you, and it's all building to something bigger and better that will come eventually if you stay patient, curious, and committed.