Thank you for visiting my site.
I am Chief Creative Officer at Zulu Alpha Kilo, which was recently named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024, Agency Standout on the Ad Age 2024 A-List and Strategy Magazine Silver Agency of the Year, three years in a row.
I have helped create platforms and campaigns for many of the world’s most respected brands. And I have an established history of building and contributing to collaborative high-performing creative environments, where teammates can do the best work of their careers.
I have worked in both Toronto, CAN, and London, UK, alongside many talented people and have been a part of hundreds of industry awards, including two Cannes Lions Grands Prix, a Grand Clio in Creative Effectiveness, a Yellow Pencil at D&AD, a LIA Grand Prix, a One Show Best in Discipline in Creative Effectiveness and a Penta Pencil, Also, Ogilvy Canada won more Effie Canada effectiveness awards than any other agency during my time there and was Effie Canada Agency of the Year.
Strategy magazine has ranked me amongst the top creatives in the country multiple times – and I have an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. (Advertising is a business after all.)
Email
Brian at Brian Murray dot see eh
Brian Murray
Chief Creative Officer
Zulu Alpha Kilo, Toronto
Recent Accomplishments
Shortlisted (TBD) for Campaign Global Independent Agency of the Year, Creative Agency of the Year AND Brand Experience Agency of the Year (Zulu Alpha Kilo).
Runner up for Campaign US Independent Agency of the Year (Zulu Alpha Kilo).
Shortlisted (TBD) for Campaign Canada AOY Brand Agency of the Year, Creative Agency of the Year AND Creative Leader of the Year (Zulu Alpha Kilo).
Launched the Pizza Pizza “Reverse Tariff” campaign during Four Nations Face Off.
Zulu Alpha Kilo named named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024.
Zulu Alpha Kilo named “Standout” on Ad Age’s 2024 Agency A-List.
New business win: President’s Choice.
New business win: Kimberly-Clark. Proud to be working with such great clients and great brands again.
Zulu Alpha Kilo wins Strategy Magazine AOY Silver (third year in a row), Digital AOY Bronze and Design AOY Bronze (agency’s first time on all 3 podiums in same year).
#1 Chief Creative Officer + #1 Creative in Canada in 2022 and 2021 One Show rankings.
#2 Chief Creative Officer in Canada on the 2022 Strategy Magazine Creative Report Card.
2022 One Show Best in Discipline for Creative Effectiveness and a Penta Pencil.
2022 Grand Clio in Creative Effectiveness.
2022 Gold and Silver Cannes Lion in Creative Effectiveness.
2022 D&AD Graphite Pencil – Zulu Alpha Kilo's first-ever D&AD pencil.
2021: Cannes Lions GRAND PRIX in Print & Publishing + Cannes Lions GRAND PRIX in Industry Craft + 3 golds, 3 silvers, a bronze, and 6 shortlists, including one for Titanium. 11 One Show Pencils (4 gold. 4 silver. 3 bronze). 7 Clio Award trophies. One Yellow and two Graphite D&AD Pencils.
Our Dove "Courage is Beautiful" campaign, celebrating front-line healthcare workers, was conceived and launched in Canada and adapted for 15 global markets, achieved 2 billion+ earned PR views, made the cover of NY Times, and was the most awarded Health & Beauty campaign in the world in 2020. It has also donated $7 million+ in badly-needed supplies to battle against COVID-19.
Education
MBA
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, 2015
Post Graduate Media Copywriting Certificate
Humber College, Toronto, 2004
B.A. English
University of Toronto, 2001
Experience
Zulu Alpha Kilo, Toronto, Feb 2021 – Present
Chief Creative Officer Jan 2023 – Present
Executive Creative Director Feb 2021 – Dec 2022
Accounts: Subaru, Interac, Bell, Campbell's, Pizza Pizza, UHN, Sephora, President’s Choice, Harry Rosen, HomeEquity Bank, Girl Guides, Shelter Movers, Maytag, Virgin Plus, KitchenAid and more.
New business wins: Kimberly-Clark, President’s Choice, Sephora, Make a Wish, Virgin Plus, Pizza Pizza, Waterloo Brewery, Campbell’s US, Reckitt, a2 Milk, VIFC, Ninepoint, Duca, UHN, Hydro One, Yorkville U, DNA My Dog, Medline, and Tours by Locals.
Ogilvy Canada, Toronto, Feb 2017 – Dec 2020
Chief Creative Officer
Accounts: American Express, Baby Dove, Cadbury, Castrol, Cottonelle, Destination Canada, Dove, Dove Men+Care, Heart & Stroke, Hellmann's, Huggies, IBM, IHG, Kleenex, Ontario Ministry of Finance, Moneris, Nordstrom, Pfizer, Pizza Hut, Poise, Post Foods, Scarborough Health Network, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, U by Kotex, Xarvio and York U.
Member of the Executive Leadership Team. Responsible for steering the direction of the agency, shaping agency culture, new business, and leading the creative department.
Accomplishments
When I started as CCO of Ogilvy Canada, the office had not won a Cannes Lion in over 10 years. During my 4 years there, we won every year, for a total of 14 trophies and 12 merits, including 2 Grands Prix and 4 Golds.
Ogilvy Toronto won more Effie Canada effectiveness awards than any other agency during my time there.
Ogilvy Toronto named 2019 Effie Canada “Agency of the Year.”
Ogilvy Toronto named 4th most effective agency in North America by 2020 Effie Awards (only Canadian agency in Top 10).
Ogilvy Canada 4th Strategy AOY 2019, didn't enter in 2020, and won Bronze in 2021 – the agency's second time on the podium since 1992.
MLSE/Hellmann’s “Real Food Rescue” program recovers leftover food after stadium events across Canada. The initiative has provided 300,000+ meals to people in need while driving record sales for Hellmann’s.
In 2020, Huggies Canada passed Pampers in total market share for the first time in its history. I also helped facilitate Huggies' pledge of $500k to rebuild SickKids NICU.
Destination Canada "Vacations of the Brave" Prime Video campaign reached 29% of US households and Canada had its most visitors in 15 years.
Two campaigns on Ad Age’s “Best of 2020” list.
Tim Hortons latté re-launch led to 307% increase in sales.
The Heart&Stroke #TimeToSeeRed campaign led to 20% rise in donations, their most successful fundraising campaign to date.
New business wins: Air Miles Rewards, Pfizer, Pizza Hut, York University, Invest in Canada, Ministry of Finance, White Claw, Starbucks Retail, Nordstrom, Heart&Stroke, Dove Men+Care global and others.
ds+p, Toronto, May 2015 – Feb 2017
Creative Director
Accounts: Honda, Goodlife, Mucho Burrito, WE, Go RVing, YorkU, Canon, UNB, NEI Investments, Kol Kid, Reliance Home Comfort and Miele.
I was tasked with overseeing the creative department and upholding the agency's high standard of producing award-winning creative solutions that drive real business results for clients.
Accomplishments
York U "Open Your Mind" campaign +6.9% increase in Year 1 confirmations (vs. +0.8% for overall Ontario Universities).
Helped the Honda Civic maintain its position as the #1 selling car in Canada both years I worked on the brand.
Only Canadian agency to ever win at the One Show Automobile Advertising of the Year Awards.
Cundari, Toronto, October 2010 – May 2015
Group Creative Director
Accounts: BMW, Subway, CIBC, MGD, TELUS, Dempster's Bread, Firkin Pubs, Tilly, Richard Ivey School of Business and LCBO, Armenia, OLG
In advertising, agency turnarounds are pretty rare. It was a very rewarding experience being a big part of something so special. When I started at Cundari, it was the 47th ranked agency in Canada according to Strategy Magazine. Within 3 years, we were runner up for Marketing Magazine Agency of the Year and the 6th most awarded digital agency in the world according to the Big Won Report.
Accomplishments
BMW Canada finished #1 in the premium car segment all 3 years I oversaw the account, the only 3 years that they have achieved #1 position.
Our 1M launch campaign is the most viral Canadian automotive campaign ever and led to 3 most successful months of sales in BMW Canada's history.
Our M5 launch campaign included the most viral individual Canadian automotive video ever. M5 sales exceeded target by 14%. M line sales exceeded target by 21%.
Publicis Modem London, UK, March 2008 – July 2010
Copywriter
Accounts: LG, Yahoo!, easyJet, The British Army, Renault and Visa, Virgin Media (Challenge Jackpot)
DraftFCB London, UK, February 2007 – February 2008
Copywriter
Accounts: Vauxhall, Saab, Oxfam, Post Office, Mint and Johnson & Johnson
Lowe Roche, Toronto, May 2004 – October 2006
Copywriter
Accounts: Mercedes-Benz, Stella Artois, Virgin Mobile, Mackenzie Financial, Capital One, Johnson & Johnson, Mayor David Miller, The Toronto Zoo, Nestea, Home Outfitters, Designer Depot, The Toronto Star and Habitat for Humanity