Modern Media soars with Hawk

Halifax digital marketing firm Modern Media has struck a deal making it the exclusive supplier of digital work for Moncton-based ad agency Hawk.
 
The partnership expands Modern Media’s client base and gives it a presence in the New Brunswick market, where it will work with Hawk for clients such as Irving Tissue, the City of Moncton, and Tourism New Brunswick.
 
“It also allows us to focus specifically on the digital side and (Hawk) to focus more on the account management and creative execution side,” said Jamie Davison, owner and president of Modern Media.
 
Bill Whalen, president and CEO of Hawk, said the partnership decision came after Hawk’s executive group realized that outsourcing digital work made more sense than trying to develop a specialized team internally.
 
“Our philosophy is that we’re going to stick to what we do exceedingly well, which is strategy and creative, and when it comes to other elements of the marketing services offering, we’re going to reach out and find the best and the brightest,” said Whalen, pointing out that Hawk outsources functions such as media buying and planning, translation and promotions to other agencies.
 
Whalen said Modern Media was a natural fit, given that the two firms had already worked together on several projects. “Our team and their team have been able to work very well together without any serious complications or egos getting in the way,” he said.
 
As part of the agreement, Modern Media adds two web developers previously employed by Hawk. The developers will work out of Moncton.
 
Modern Media employs 15 full-time staff, but Davison anticipates further growth as a result of both the Hawk relationship and unrelated account developments; the agency has added business from Nova Scotia’s Department of Energy, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in recent months.