2002: 'junior design' breaks free to de-clutter the ad agency

Once upon a time, there was a junior design(er). No really.. that's how it starts! Having worked at a leading ad agency for several years mentoring under some of the industry's best, he carefully honed his creative skills within a multi-faceted marketing world. Carefully crafting copy and art to reach the intended audience with a specific message has always come naturally to Richard MacArthur. Also, working at this leading ad agency was a young dynamic account manager with a passion for media strategy, guerilla marketing and breaking norms. Together, they quickly enjoyed running campaigns and achieving new heights, while earning a couple of awards along the way. It was far too much fun to work together. Thus, a little company was born: junior design (tagline: Proactive Imaginations for Hire). A creative boutique marketing shop, Richard and Jo MacArthur quickly brought on some exciting accounts, and had a blast making waves in the family attraction, and rural tourism industries. Branding, advertising, campaigns, P.R, print collateral and website (micro-sites) were all core services delivered through their home-based communications agency.

Fast Forward to 2013: MacArt Studios...of course!

A decade later, the MacArthurs have finally settled on a name they love. "MacArt Studios" provides the right emphasis for this creative marketing firm as they pull into 2012 and start a whole new decade of ground-breaking ideas, and excellent client services. MacArt puts the emphasis on the principals, Jo and Richard MacArthur, as it also describes quite what they do: Mac Art. The additions of 'Studios'  represents a concentration on custom graphic design and the inclusion of three operating locations: Toronto, Ottawa and Haliburton. A recent move to cottage country, a passion for re-kindling their roots in art, as well as an understanding that "art" is what sets apart one piece of marketing from another, all came together to create a new brand: "MacArt"!

Jack be Nimble, Management Be Quick: It stands as a great testament to their successful work that the core clients and key accounts that came on board in 2002, are still with MacArt today. Despite growing pains, added-value sidetracks, and a very fast paced marketing playing field- they've continually delivered on their promises, and been a trusted, dependable source of marketing strategy and communication art. The key reason their clients consistently chose MacArt to manage their campaigns: Results!

Simply put, MacArt's work.... works!

2004: junior design grows into print, production & pains:

After the first successful 3 years in operation, and lots of engaging work, this MacArthur team decided to expand into a new service to the client base: printing and finishing production. Thus, 'On Your Marks' was born. Working along side junior design, and developing its own niche in environmentally sustainable print services, On Your Marks provided excellent value to the existing customer base, fantastic challenges to learn from (Hard knocks anyone?), and even the opportunity to break some more norms. On Your Marks was the first printing operation to win the EcoStewardship Award of the Year (2008) and was among the first printers in Ottawa to become FSC certified. Ultimately though, the economic downturn in 2008 had a quick and dramatic impact on the green printing market, and an opportunity to be nimble and change course was seized. 'On Your Marks' operated under the MacArthur's Ownership and Management hand for 4 strong years, and at its peak brought in close to a million dollars a year in small volume print sales, planted more than 3,000 trees per year and initiated a carbon offset program. The MacArts are very grateful for the successes, challenges and hands-on training gained in these busy years.

2006: Your 'Proactive Imaginations for Hire' develop partnerships and mature into a  full-service consultancy

Along the way the small agency boutique format was expanded into a team of consultants and professionals who saw themselves as more than 'junior' (pshaw!). The original agency name was revised to highlight only the tagline: "Proactive Imaginations for Hire" .  And so it was for another 5 years. Along the way, P.I's services expanded and the collective knowledge base grew. The consultants continued to work with medium-sized family operations or not-for-profit organizations, to bring cutting-edge graphics, corporate communications and strategic campaign services to clients who previously thought them unattainable or ineffective. As the dramatic shifts in marketing now show, this little 'junior' team had the right idea from the beginning: Keep it simple, keep it strategic, and by keeping costs low, we can keep it seamless for the clients.

By this time, 'Proactive Imaginations for Hire' had also expanded its products and services into more dynamic websites, databasing applications, interactive marketing, and a continued re-tooling of traditional advertising means.