About Us
A boutique agency with deep Muskoka roots and a modern approach to marketing.
Our Story
The Beginning
Muskoka Marketing Co. was born from a simple observation: the businesses that make Muskoka special – the family-run resorts, the lakeside restaurants, the local artisans – deserve marketing that’s as authentic as they are. Too many agencies treat cottage country as just another market segment, applying cookie-cutter strategies that miss the nuance of seasonal tourism, local culture, and the deep emotional connection people have with this region.
The Growth
What started as a one-person operation working with three local restaurants has grown into a full-service digital marketing agency serving over 40 businesses across the Muskoka region. We’ve assembled a team of talented marketers, designers, strategists, and technologists who share a common love for Muskoka and a commitment to helping local businesses succeed.
The Vision
Our vision is to make Muskoka the best-marketed small business region in Canada. We want every cottage rental to be fully booked, every restaurant to have a waitlist, every local shop to thrive year-round. We’re not just building an agency; we’re building a stronger Muskoka.
Meet the Team
Partner with experts dedicated to driving your success with tailored strategies and measurable results.
Amanda
Marketing Audits & Research
Chris Kendy
UI/UX & Product Designer
Amy
Digital Media & Advertising Specialist
Ben
Web Design
Bonnie
Photography & Business Visibility Strategist
Christine
Digital Media & Advertising Specialist
Courtney
Marketing Audits & Research
Craig
Videographer
Dave
Graphic Design
Kim
Social Media & Content
Linda
Operations Manager, Project Management
Margot
Digital Commerce Consultant
Matt
SEO Specialist
Michael
CEO & Founder
Michelle
Digital Media & Advertising Specialist
Richard
Marketing Strategy & Direct Mail
Rob
Web Design
Ryan
Digital Media & Advertising Specialist
Tatiana
Post Production Specialist
Vanessa
Content Strategy & Copywriter
Vanessa
Executive Producer
Zubaida
Digital Media & Advertising Specialist
Mission & Values
Our mission: help Muskoka businesses thrive with marketing that’s authentic, strategic, and forward-thinking.
Community First
We’re invested in Muskoka’s success – not just our clients’ success. When local businesses thrive, the entire community benefits. We actively participate in community events, sponsor local initiatives, and contribute our marketing expertise to nonprofits in the region.
Innovation with Purpose
We embrace new technology when it delivers real results – not just because it’s trendy. Every tool and technique we adopt is evaluated against one question: does this help our clients’ businesses grow?
Relationships Over Transactions
We build long-term partnerships, not one-off projects. Our average client relationship spans over 3 years. We invest the time to truly understand each client’s business, goals, and challenges.
Creativity That Performs
Beautiful work that actually delivers results. Every creative decision is backed by data and strategic intent. We don’t create art for art’s sake – we create marketing that moves the needle.
Transparency & Trust
No jargon, no hidden fees, no smoke and mirrors. We communicate clearly, report honestly, and always act in our clients’ best interests. If something isn’t working, we pivot immediately.
Why AI?
We hear your concerns about AI in marketing. Here’s our honest, transparent take.
Will AI replace the human creativity in my marketing?
Absolutely not. AI is a tool – like a camera or a design program. Our creative team uses AI to handle repetitive tasks so they can focus on strategic thinking, emotional storytelling, and creative problem-solving. Every AI-generated asset goes through human review, refinement, and approval.
Is AI-generated content authentic enough for my brand?
We train our AI tools on your specific brand voice, visual style, and messaging guidelines. The output is tailored to your brand, then our team reviews and refines everything. Many clients’ customers cannot distinguish between AI-enhanced and traditionally produced content.
What about quality compared to traditional photography and video?
For many applications – social media, website imagery, email graphics, video trailers – AI content is indistinguishable from traditional production. For high-end applications, we still recommend professional shoots. We often use a hybrid approach.
Is it ethical? Will customers feel deceived?
We believe in full transparency. AI is a production tool, not a deception tactic. We never use AI to create fake reviews, fabricated testimonials, or misleading representations. Our use of AI is focused on creative production – making great content faster and more affordably.
What if the technology changes or becomes obsolete?
AI evolving rapidly is actually a benefit – as tools improve, quality increases and costs decrease. Your marketing strategy is built on sound principles that remain constant. AI is simply the engine that helps us execute more efficiently.
Our Toolkit
The platforms and tools your business relies on – and we’re experts in all of them.
WordPress
Google Ads
Meta / Facebook
TikTok
Mailchimp
Canva
Google Analytics
Hootsuite
Adobe Creative Suite
SEMrush
Shopify
Our Journey
From a one-person side project to Muskoka’s leading boutique marketing agency.
2018
The Spark
Alex Drummond returns to Muskoka after a decade in Toronto advertising. Starts freelancing for three local restaurants, immediately seeing the gap between big-city marketing capability and small-town needs.
2019
Official Launch
Muskoka Marketing Co. officially launches. First clients include two cottage rental companies, a marina, and a lakeside pub. Revenue doubles within six months through word-of-mouth.
2020
The Pivot
When the pandemic hits, the agency pivots to help restaurants set up online ordering, retailers launch e-commerce, and tourism operators create virtual experiences. Team grows to four.
2021
Growth & Recognition
Named Top Digital Agency in Muskoka by Northern Ontario Business. Client roster grows to 25 businesses. Jordan Lake joins as Digital Strategy Lead.
2022
AI Innovation
Maya Birch joins to lead AI innovation. The agency becomes one of the first in Canada to offer AI-powered video production and campaign automation to small businesses.
2023
Full Team, Full Service
Sam Rivera and Chris Blackwood join, completing the core team. Now serving 40+ businesses. Launch of three service tiers makes professional marketing accessible to all sizes.
2024
Looking Ahead
Expanding AI capabilities with new video tools, voice AI, and campaign automation agents. Goal: make Muskoka the best-marketed small business region in Canada.
By The Numbers
The impact we’ve made across the Muskoka business community.
40+
Active Clients
Across Muskoka
3.5x
Average ROAS
On paid campaigns
200%
Avg Booking Increase
First year clients
98%
Client Retention
Year over year
500+
Campaigns Launched
Since 2019
15M+
Impressions Delivered
Annually
4.9★
Google Rating
From 85+ reviews
24hr
Response Time
Guaranteed
Community Involvement
We’re not just a business in Muskoka – we’re part of the community.
Muskoka Small Business Workshops
Free quarterly marketing workshops for local business owners covering social media strategy, Google Business Profile optimization, and email marketing basics. Over 200 business owners helped so far.
Pro Bono Work for Local Nonprofits
Each year, we provide pro bono marketing services to two Muskoka-area nonprofits including the Muskoka Conservancy, local food banks, and community health centers.
Muskoka Chamber of Commerce
Active members contributing to community planning, tourism strategy sessions, and business development initiatives. Our founder serves on the digital marketing advisory committee.
Sponsorships & Events
We sponsor local events year-round – from summer arts festivals and fall harvest markets to winter charity galas, and provide marketing support for community event organizers.
Mentorship Program
We mentor aspiring marketers and entrepreneurs in the Muskoka region, offering internship opportunities, career guidance, and business advice.
Want to Join Our Story?
Let’s write the next chapter together. Your Muskoka business deserves marketing that’s as exceptional as the region itself.