CLARK + HUOT (Canada), COCOON, AND VELOCITY/SPACECADET DESIGN MERGE TO FORM CLARKHUOT/COCOON

New organization will deliver full range of creative, integrated, and digital marketing programs

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA - A new merger of three Canadian agencies, Clark + Huot, Cocoon Branding, and Velocity Branding/Spacecadet Design, will result in a new player with local service and global capabilities entering the Canadian communications sector. Through the combination of a merger strategy and leveraging Clark + Huot’s New York City presence as a means of providing global access to their clients, the newly formed agency - ClarkHuot/Cocoon - is a next-generation agency designed to meet the needs and desires of clients in an increasingly fast-changing marketing environment.

“We understand the potential in all of our clients, and creating innovative ways to exceed their aspirations is the cornerstone of what we do,” said Peter Clark, newly appointed CEO of ClarkHuot/Cocoon. “After carefully weighing the benefits of a merger, we believe the resulting agency will be better positioned than ever to develop cross-platform marketing programs that connect with consumers through meaningful creative concepts.”

Effective immediately, Edmond Huot has been named Executive Creative Director of the ClarkHuot/Cocoon. Kyle Romaniuk, former Brand Director and Principal at Cocoon Branding, has been named Managing Director, Canada. Chris Clarke has been appointed Partner, Digital Practice.

“This merger provides our clients with a greater level of creative excellence,” said Huot. “As individual agencies, one discipline tended to dominate. Our new approach has the extraordinary potential of being grounded in a media-neutral, content-first creative platform, powered by our insights into consumer behavior.”

“The unique service offering we’ve constructed empowers our clients to access any resources they want by increasing our collective scale and capability,” said Romaniuk. “The addition of Chris Clarke and Velocity will immediately strengthen our digital practice and give us the ability to provide our clients with an ideal combination of local experience and service and the ability to access resources from around the world.” An integration process is underway with equal representation from all parties, combining key areas including professional competencies and capabilities (corporate identity work, creative concept development, connection planning, digital activation strategy, app development, media, etc), geographic capabilities, human resources and communications, as well as finance and operations. Integration is expected to be completed within approximately 60 to 90 days.

About Clark + Huot:

Clark + Huot is a strategic brand consulting firm with offices in Winnipeg and New York City. The agency works primarily on strategic brand planning, identity, and connection planning assignments, helping companies design, launch, and manage their overall brand experience across all points of customer, employee, and shareholder contact. Recent projects have included Cesar Pelli designed Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, WJB Capital, Pavilion Investment House, Brockhouse Cooper, Payworks, and Javelin Logistics.

About Cocoon Branding:

Cocoon Branding is an advertising agency based in Winnipeg that specializes in creative integrated concepts, innovation, and campaign development. Cocoon believes that a brand goes beyond a name, logo, and overall brand identity, and needs to be rooted in an emotional position beyond functional or literal attributes. The Cocoon team has been recognized by more than 100 awards and design annuals - including prestigious wins from Applied Arts and ID Magazine - for their work in brand identity, advertising, sponsorship activation, product design, packaging, and interactive development.

About Velocity/Spacecadet Design:

Velocity is a Winnipeg-based digital activation agency that specializes in app development, online engagement initiatives and digital brand activation. The agency believes that branding drives business. Velocity helps its clients achieve success through innovative ideas and powerful design that encourages sustained interaction and engagement in the online world.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON CLARKHUOT/COCOON, PLEASE CONTACT:
Kyle Romaniuk, Managing Director, Canada
Telephone: 204-990-6667
Email: kromaniuk@clarkhuotcocoon.com