WELCOME TO
Better tomorrows for your brand begin here.
We create a better tomorrow for your brand when we add value to it. When we make it stand out in a sea of the same. When we separate you from the rest of the herd.
We do it by solving real-world business problems by creating ideas that just can’t be ignored. And we do it collaboratively.
Welcome to Blackiron.
BRANDS WE’VE
WORKED WITH
ALCOHOL AND GAMING COMMISSION OF ONTARIO | INDIGENOUS TOURISM ONTARIO | TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA | TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO | OTTAWA BOARD OF TRADE | GOOGLE PARTNER | FACEBOOK META BUSINESS PARTNER
THE TEAM
Gerry McGillvray
President and FounderGerry has been a highly respected business leader in Ottawa’s advertising, marketing, and media industries for over 30 years.
Gerry prides himself on creating high-level partnerships and unique business opportunities among his network of Ottawa – Gatineau business leaders and reputable institutions.
Gerry’s natural business sense, contagious enthusiasm, and unique ability to create effective partnerships and collaborations grant the highest yield to clients.
Karen Moores
General ManagerKaren has more than 21 years of experience working in Ottawa’s advertising and marketing industry, excelling in a wide range of roles including Graphic Designer, Account Manager, Media Buyer, Marketing Director, Director of Client Services, and now General Manager.
Karen plays a key role in Blackiron’s success. She touches virtually every area of the agency, including corporate partnerships, branding/rebranding campaigns, events, video and photography shoots, and all aspects of print, broadcast, digital, and social media campaigns.
Karen’s extensive experience enables her to guide high-level projects, ensuring that ideas translate into increased success for clients.
GREG WIENS
Creative DirectorGreg is a renowned leader in Ottawa’s marketing and communications industry with over 30 years of esteemed experience in creative direction, art direction, and design roles.
Greg is driven by a passion for fostering an enthusiastic and respectful environment to help creative teams flourish. He excels at developing innovative brand strategies and marketing campaigns across all aspects of online and traditional mediums—including digital, web, social, print, experiential, and more—as well as establishing client trust as a strategic partner to ensure ideas are executed to deliver results.
Greg’s exceptional creative vision and supportive leadership style are a winning combination to bring new levels of growth and advancement to Blackiron and its clients.
Adam Hurda
ControllerAdam is an experienced Controller with a demonstrated history of working in Ottawa’s marketing and advertising industry. For 10 years, Adam has guided Blackiron’s financial and operational activities.
Adam is responsible for overseeing all of Blackiron’s financial and accounting functions as well as all office management and HR duties.
Adam ensures that all internal operations run smoothly, allowing the Blackiron team to provide industry-leading service for clients.
Jake Rupert
Director, Marketing & PartnershipsJake is Blackiron’s Director, Marketing & Partnerships. Through his experience, he has established himself as a trusted manager working alongside major national, regional, and local household brands, as well as service providers.
Jake excels at communicating, identifying growth avenues for his clients and evaluating their needs, recommending solutions and new opportunities, and identifying product improvement by analyzing industry trends and competitors.
Having an aptitude for technology, sport, and connection with people, Jake offers significant experience within sport partnerships, SEO/SEM marketing, and all forms of traditional media.
FRANK IENZI
Digital StrategistFrank is a proficient Digital Strategist with rich experience in digital marketing, content creation, social media management, and SEO/SEM. Armed with a strong educational background in Business Marketing and Market Research, he excels at driving online growth and engagement for clients.
Frank works with Blackiron’s team to deliver dynamic and results-driven marketing campaigns across multiple online platforms. With a keen interest in tech gadgets, Frank is passionate about keeping pace with rapidly evolving digital trends including the recent marketing opportunities to leverage AI, and helps identify how clients can harness digital marketing initiatives to enhance their ROI.
Frank’s exceptional professional expertise and personal interests rooted in self-development and cultural understanding bring a unique perspective to Blackiron’s offerings in the digital marketing landscape.
Florence Vermette
Account CoordinatorFlorence is a bilingual and dynamic professional with a passion for networking, community, customer experience and marketing. With a strong foundation in the fitness and outdoor sports community, Florence brings a unique blend of industry and community knowledge to our team.
As a Marketing Coordinator with Blackiron, Flo is leveraging her diverse background to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our agency. Her dedication, creativity, and commitment to continuous learning make her a joy to work with and a valuable member of our team.
Maddi McGillvray
Copywriter/Content Management SpecialistMaddi has been a key member of the Blackiron team for over 10 years, with positions including Account Coordinator, Digital Specialist, and now Copywriter & Content Management Specialist. Her diverse professional and academic background in film and media has allowed her to cultivate versatile writing styles.
Maddi is committed to delivering compelling copy for clients and their brands. Her expansive copywriting expertise includes blogs, social media posts, radio scripts, email newsletters, print media, and various B2B and B2C communications.
Maddi hones in on the right messages for clients and communicates them in a way that makes an impact.
Bonnie O’Neill
Senior Graphic DesignerBonnie is a seasoned Graphic and Motion Designer with a diverse skill set across graphics, illustrations, 2D animation, and live-action video production.
Her creative prowess is a cornerstone in conceptualizing and developing engaging designs, whether for digital campaigns, branding, or web design projects. She encompasses expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, further enhancing her ability to produce captivating and high-quality designs for clients.
Bonnie’s ability to bring ideas to beautiful fruition and love for collaboration make her an integral part of Blackiron’s creative team.
NICK GERGESHA
Sales and Project CoordinatorWith over 7 years of project management, brand promotion, and sales experience across a variety of industries, Nick excels at building authentic and meaningful connections with everyone he comes into contact with.
As Sales and Project Coordinator, with an aptitude for research, Nick’s versatile skill-set provides expertise and support to Blackiron’s Account Management team and their current and future clients.
CAROLINE HAYES
VideographerCaroline is a seasoned videographer and photographer with over 10 years of experience working on corporate, commercial, and television broadcast productions.
Caroline is passionate about working with local clients, and excels at applying her unique creative expression to tell their story through striking and memorable video materials. With extensive experience in direction, camera operation, and editing, Caroline effectively manages the entire video production process from conception to final product delivery.
Caroline helps clients harness the power of visual storytelling to creatively promote their business.
Yesterday, Now, Tomorrow Mural. Located at the corner of Richmond and Churchill
Affinity Partners
Nawaska Consulting
Carlie ChaseBlackiron is proud of the partnership we have created with Nawaska Consulting, an Indigenous owned and led consulting firm. Partnering with Nawaska provides the expertise to guide our clients in strategies and initiatives to elevate Indigenous and community based organizations within Ottawa and across Canada.
INTERESTED IN ADDING
VALUE TO YOUR BRAND?
STRATEGY &
ACCOUNT
MANAGEMENT
Corporate vision and values
Account planning
Brand repositioning
Competitive analysis
Profiling, research, and reporting
Partnership development
Content strategy, social media, and digital strategy
Campaign planning
BRAND
CREATION
Brand and visual identity
Brand guidelines
Brand voice and messaging
Brand evolution or extension
CREATIVE
& DESIGN
Concept and
campaign development
Graphic design
Web design
Photography
Videography
CONTENT
Creative concept and storytelling
Copy and scriptwriting
Social media content and management
Video
Search engine optimization (SEO)
MEDIA
Strategy and planning
Negotiation, buying, and management
Digital, broadcast, out-of-home, and print
Social
Monitoring, optimization, and reporting
DIGITAL
Campaign strategy and execution
A/B tests
Website development
Search engine marketing (SEM)
Google Business Profile
Reports and analysis