Why Us

Why choose Acart

Call it an unfair advantage, our special sauce,
or unique appeal. Here’s how we set ourselves apart.

Our progressive pricing model

At Acart, everything is a collaboration. Even our pricing. Your success is our success which is why we put skin in the game, too. We’re your partner. We’ll work to find a pricing option that feels right for you. Business isn’t one size fits all, so pricing shouldn’t be either.

Our fee pricing options:

Traditional fee model

What some call ‘pay to play’. This is the standard agency model. You pay for services, and we deliver those services. We always use KPIs and do everything we can to make sure you get results.

Partner model

This is where we love to play. We charge a flat monthly fee that’s bumped up based on performance. We’ll set up a number of targets that are directly linked to business goals and objectives. We’ll then develop KPIs to determine how we’re compensated based on our ability to hit those metrics. This way, everyone is on the same page and hustling towards our goals together.

Performance only model

Here you pay purely based on the results of a campaign. In some scenarios we will go all-in with you and stake our fee purely based on performance.

The lines of communication are always open.

Our end-to-end approach

We offer complete solutions. What does that mean? It means we’re with you for your entire marketing journey. We build everything together from our first contact through to research, strategy, creative, going to market, optimizing, analyzing, and excelling.

Think of us as an expert extension of your team, using our intimate understanding of the intersection between business strategy and marketing to set you apart and get you the results you desire.

Time for a little history

We’ve been adapting, adopting, and ad-making since 1976. We’re proud of our 40+ years; 300+ awards from the likes of the Art Directors Club of New York, the International Festivals Association, and IABC; global campaigns like Ban the Landmine, our Star Trek® The Starfleet Academy Experience work—and so much more. Acart has grown stronger with every lesson, challenge, and triumph along the way. We’ve learned more than we could ever pack into a brief intro, but we’ll share one important insight with you: adaptability is key. Take a stroll down memory lane with us:

1977

After 12 years as a designer, art director, and creative director, Al Albania launches Acart. First project: Discovery Train storyboards and interior for 10 cars which were presented to cabinet.

Discovery Train

Open first office in the Chambers Building close to premier client, National Arts Centre.

1993–94

Launch Canada Post website – 1900 pages per language.

Canada Post

1995

Named agency of record for Subway, Eastern and Northern Ontario, managing marketing for 138 stores.

Subway

Host national advertising conference for Trans-Canada Advertising Agency Network (T-CAAN). Al becomes its president.

tCAN

1996

Establish ACID, Acart Communications Interactive Design.

1997

Launch global Ban the Landmines initiative. Work includes image, collateral, signage, and wayfinding for global use.

Ban the Landmines

2001

Develop marketing and communications for the World Figure Skating Championship in Vancouver.

2002

Acart celebrates 25th anniversary.

25th anniversary

2003

Win Ottawa Senators account, brand Ottawa/Gatineau as Hockey Country, and brand IIHF World Junior Championship hosted in Ottawa.

Ottawa Senator

Win four-year agency of record mandate for VIA Rail.

VIA Rail

2004

Launch proprietary web Content Management System, PageShaper.

2006

Roll out Primary Health Care national awareness campaign in partnership with LMNO.

Primary Health Care

2007

Rebrand as the Change Marketing Agency.

Change Marketing

2008

Launch numerous national campaigns: CFIA Travellers Biosecurity Awareness, Public Safety Canada 72-hour Emergency Preparedness, and HRSDC Elder Abuse Awareness.

Numerous national campaigns

2009

Al hosts TCANN national conference at Acart headquarters and is elected to serve as president for a 2nd term.

2010

Win AOR for York Region Transit.

York Region Transit

2014

Join North American Marketing Alliance (NAMA).

NAMA

2016

Debut Star Trek® The Starfleet Academy Experience – an unforgettable experiential campaign which achieved international acclaim.

Star Trek

2017

Celebrate Acart’s 40th anniversary at CTV Ottawa studios.

40th anniversary

2019

Deepen expertise by further investment in our strategic practice.

2020

Acart unveils creative pricing practice which ties financial outcomes to service level performance.

2021

Welcome two senior partners to join Al in spearheading the agency’s evolution.

Leaders

These movers and shakers are the hearts and minds of Acart. Looking for outcomes? They’ll make it happen.

Andrew McWiggan

Chief Innovation Officer

Theresa Forman

Chief Strategy Officer

Kevin Scannell

Media Director

Lynn Norris

Studio Director

Kate Wallace

Client Experience Director

Partnering for success

We collaborate with our cutting-edge partners to reach the best outcomes for our clients.

Our partners

emotive
tCAN
Nama
no hands
NANOS
Vividata
Comscore
Metlwater
Go To Top