the group
m5 story.
2011
group m5 is born! The umbrella company
for all of our areas of expertise.
2010
We go international! Our first
U.S. office is opened with the
acquisition of bGG Advertising,
now m5 New Hampshire.
group m5 opens new office in
Charlottetown, PE.
160 to 320 employees in one year! We are officially
the largest agency in Atlantic Canada!
“Some people make headlines, while others make history.”
2010
2012
growth through results
2009
We launch our fresh new branding with pride!
Over 150 of us come together from all over
Atlantic Canada for a full day and night of
collaboration and celebration.
2010
m5 interactive is born, consolidating the digital capabilities
of m5i, Podium Digital and Plumb Content Marketing.
Our research division grows even mightier with the acquisition
of research giant Omnifacts. MarketQuest • Omnifacts now stands
as one of the region’s foremost research firms.
1981
M5 Advertising formed in St. John’s, NL
The lights came on for Gary Wadden at
a very young age. “Creativity with Purpose”
was such a compelling thought that he
proceeded to build a shiny new agency
around it.
1985
Derek Langdon joins the
firm as its new partner
Yin showed up to balance yang,
and the combination of creativity
and purpose has been aligned
in the stars ever since.
1995
Awarded Tourism New Brunswick account
Wow, the New Brunswick tourism account was
awarded to a company then based in Newfoundland
and Labrador. The rationale? They wanted the best
company for the job. A good decision? (Well, we
handled the NB Tourism account for 14 years. Must
have something to do with those results…)
2007
1995
Awarded first national client:
International Business Schools, Toronto, ON
Yet again people were asking a new m5
client, “Why are you using an agency from
Newfoundland?”Yet again, the client was
answering, ”Because they get results!”
1995
Expansion to Halifax, NS
If you want to be a truly Atlantic
Canadian agency, Halifax is an obviously
important move. So we made it!
Awarded first European client:
Production Services Network, Aberdeen, UK.
2006
m5pr established
After years of smart moves,
there was yet another one
looming. Our flair for
creating all-consuming
campaigns and unbeatable
buzz needed a name. That
name was m5pr. Woot!
2008–2009
Launched subsidiaries Podium Digital, m5pr
(Halifax), m5i (Moncton), m5 Direct and Plumb
Content Marketing... BLAST OFF!
2001
1987
MarketQuest Research established
Our unquenchable thirst to know more
led us to launch MarketQuest, and our
full-service research firm quickly led
m5’s continuing quest for knowledge.
Mmm… knowledge!
2000
m5i Interactive Media established
Advertising methods were changing, and m5 was
changing with them. This little shift in thinking
was critical in preparing us (and our clients) for the new
world order of communications. In short, we got Web.
1994
Awarded General Motors account for
Maritime Provinces
You don’t deliver exceptional results in
the car business without people noticing.
In this case, the Maritime GM Dealers sat
up and took notice of our work with the
NL GM Dealers Association. Vrooom!
Vrooom! Vrooom!
A Jelly Bean
Why? Why not? Just like us,
they’re colourful, have their
own individual flavour, and
once you get a taste of
them, you will be pleased
with the result! And we just
like Jelly Beans…
1989
Wavelight Productions established
After constantly “flying in” production crews and
having them produce Atlantic Canadian commercials
somewhere else, we smartened up and created our
own company. For almost two decades, Wavelight
has been lighting the way and proving that it can be
done better in Atlantic Canada.
Revenue tops 20 million
Gary buys everyone a coffee.
2000
Awarded provincial tobacco reduction campaign
This modest provincial campaign turned out to be a much larger
milestone for m5. The program’s outstanding results launched us
into what is today one of our core passions – social marketing.
1996
m5 Marketing
Communications branded
What do you want to be
when you grow up?
In the case of m5, it was to
become a full-service
marketing communications
firm. By 1996, we had arrived.
1996
Expansion to Moncton, NB
Tourism was the starting point, but our
new full-service office has woven us into
the red and green plaid patterned fabric
of the province. C’est bon!
1998
Reached the 100 employee mark
When he entered the building, a bell rang and streamers cascaded
from the ceiling… at least, that’s how we like to remember it!