Chris Neary

Brand Strategist / Founder

Chris Neary is the brand strategist credited with developing the ubiquitous Telus animal campaign that is still running today.

Before arriving in Canada, Chris kick-started his career in London at Agency.com, an Omnicom owned global advertising agency. As a Creative Director, Chris tuned his skills on brands like Intel, FoxTV, British Airways, Endemol, Colgate, Formula1 Racing and Compaq; focusing on early adopters of internet and mobile advertising and commerce.

Chris moved to Canada in 2002 to assume the position of Marketing Strategist for Telus. Chris managed key accounts like the Canucks, GlaxoSmithKline, Tourism Vancouver, BC lotteries, BC Government and Best Buy. Chris continued developing his career and became Telus’s youngest ever Director. As their Director of Marketing Communications, Chris managed Telus’s $30m budget; driving the consumer marketing strategy, brand management, and advertising agency performance to reach targets in excess of $2bn.

After leaving Telus, Chris started Vancouver based Frank Advertising Agency, which later became Frank Strategy. Chris pivoted the company to focus on brand, rather than campaigns after realizing that most companies experience far greater growth and longevity from investing in their brand, than they do from media buys. Chris is evangelical about helping companies create meaningful customer experiences that in turn drive company performance.

Chris has been a brand strategist on client projects that have attained award-winning status including a UK Marketing Magazine ‘grand prix’ and a Canadian Marketing Magazine ‘best brand in Canada’.

Besides being a brand strategist, Chris is active in his community and is a senior advisor for The Bloom Group, a social services group in Vancouver focusing on marginalized populations. He is also the President of TEDx Vancouver. Chris holds a Degree in Design and holds a diploma in Contemporary Art. He plays the guitar badly and is worse at singing.