About Us | MarketWise Consulting

Our Story

MarketWise Consulting was founded in 2008 by three former marketing executives who saw a gap in Canada's marketing landscape. Julia Tran, Michael Dennison, and Amara Okonkwo combined their diverse expertise from technology, retail, and financial services to create a consultancy that truly understood the unique challenges of the Canadian market.

Starting in a small office in downtown Toronto with just five clients, our founders built the company on a foundation of data-driven insights and authentic relationship building. Their approach quickly gained recognition for delivering measurable results, allowing the company to expand to Vancouver in 2013 and Montreal in 2017.

Throughout our journey, we've weathered economic fluctuations, adapted to radical technological shifts, and evolved our methodologies to stay ahead of market trends. From helping traditional businesses navigate their first digital marketing strategies to guiding tech startups through complex Canadian market entry, our experience spans industries and challenges.

Today, MarketWise employs over 45 marketing specialists across our three Canadian offices, serving clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies. What hasn't changed is our commitment to personalized service and measurable outcomes that directly impact our clients' bottom line.

Our Mission & Values

Our Mission

To empower Canadian businesses with strategic marketing insights and actionable plans that drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage in both domestic and global markets.

Data-Driven Decisions

We believe that effective marketing strategies must be built on solid research and analytics. Every recommendation we make is backed by comprehensive data analysis and market insights.

Client Partnership

We don't just consult from a distance—we become an extension of your team, fully invested in your success and committed to understanding the unique nuances of your business.

Canadian Market Expertise

We specialize in the complexities of Canadian markets, including bilingual requirements, regional differences, and regulatory considerations that impact marketing effectiveness.

Measurable Results

We define success through concrete metrics and KPIs, ensuring that our strategies deliver tangible business outcomes and clear return on investment.

Continuous Innovation

The marketing landscape never stops evolving, and neither do we. We constantly research emerging trends, technologies, and methodologies to keep our clients ahead of the curve.

Ethical Marketing

We believe in marketing that creates genuine value for consumers while building authentic brand relationships. We prioritize long-term brand health over short-term tactics.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Our diverse team of marketing experts brings decades of combined experience across industries and disciplines.

Julia Tran

CEO & Co-Founder

With over 20 years of experience in technology marketing, Julia leads our strategic vision and client relationships. Prior to founding MarketWise, she served as VP of Marketing at a leading Canadian tech firm and holds an MBA from University of Toronto.

Michael Dennison

Chief Strategy Officer & Co-Founder

Michael oversees our strategic consulting practice, drawing on his background in retail and consumer goods marketing. His expertise in brand positioning and consumer behavior has shaped our methodology for market analysis.

Amara Okonkwo

Chief Analytics Officer & Co-Founder

Amara leads our data analytics practice, bringing her financial services background to marketing measurement. She pioneered our ROI-focused approach and oversees the development of custom analytics frameworks for complex marketing challenges.

Liam Bouchard

Director of Digital Marketing

Based in our Montreal office, Liam heads our digital marketing practice with specialized expertise in bilingual campaigns and Quebec market dynamics. He joined MarketWise in 2015 after leading digital strategy for several national retail brands.

Our Achievements

Through dedication to excellence and client success, we've achieved remarkable results and recognition.

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Industry Recognition

Canadian Marketing Association Award Winner (2021, 2022)
Strategy Magazine's "Consultancy of the Year" (2020)
Digital Marketing Awards - Gold for B2B Campaign (2022)
Top 10 Marketing Consultancies in Canada by Business Review

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Client Success Stories

Helped 20+ startups successfully enter the Canadian market
Increased e-commerce conversion rates by 45% for retail clients
Reduced customer acquisition costs by 35% through optimized digital strategies
Developed award-winning bilingual campaigns for national brands

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Community Impact

Pro bono consulting for 5+ non-profit organizations annually
Marketing mentorship program for underrepresented entrepreneurs
Annual scholarship for marketing students at 3 Canadian universities
Regular workshops and educational events for small businesses

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Research & Innovation

Published annual "State of Canadian Marketing" industry report
Developed proprietary market entry framework for international brands
Created specialized analytics dashboard for cross-channel attribution
Leading research on consumer behavior in Canadian markets

What Our Clients Say

Our clients' success is our success. Here's what some of them have to say about working with MarketWise.

"MarketWise transformed our approach to the Canadian market. Their understanding of regional differences and consumer behavior helped us tailor our messaging effectively. Within six months, we saw a 47% increase in qualified leads and a 28% boost in conversion rates. Their team's responsiveness and data-driven recommendations continue to provide exceptional value."

Sarah Johnson

CEO, TechNova Solutions

"As a retail business operating across multiple Canadian provinces, we needed a marketing strategy that could adapt to different regional markets while maintaining brand consistency. The MarketWise team delivered exactly that. Their bilingual campaign approach helped us connect authentically with both English and French-speaking customers. Their guidance has been instrumental in our 35% year-over-year growth."

Michel Tremblay

Marketing Director, Urban Lifestyle Retail

"Working with MarketWise completely changed our digital marketing strategy. Their team helped us identify and target our ideal customer segments in the Canadian market with precision. The comprehensive analytics framework they implemented has given us unprecedented visibility into our marketing performance. In just one year, we've seen our customer acquisition costs decrease by 32% while our customer lifetime value increased by 41%."