New digs for more collaborative work. That’s the idea behind Draftfcb and Rivet’s move on Monday to a loft-like space in Toronto designed to encourage greater interaction between various teams.
The new premises at 219 Dufferin St. in Liberty Village will house both agencies. While Rivet specializes in customer relationship marketing (CRM), data management and related activities, it has become a full-service firm.
According to John Boniface, Draftfcb’s COO, the move has been in the works for awhile. “A couple of years ago, we decided it was time to look for a different space. The new facilities feature an open concept format over two floors, complete with several boardrooms, 15 offices and enough real estate to accommodate the 250 people that make up both agencies.” The roughly 56,000-square-foot space also houses a print studio and two broadcast editing suites.
Draftfcb and Rivet staff will be privy to a big reveal next Monday, when the agencies will be hosting various celebratory events, including an office-launching barbeque. Both agencies are civic-minded and as part of their involvement with Parkdale Collegiate, Paul Mead, Draftfcb’s CEO, will be presenting a $5,000 cheque to the school’s arts department.
“Our staff are excited about the move. The new space and new technology it allows means a pretty big build-out for our organization,” said Boniface, whose father and grandfather worked in the same building when it belonged to GE.
“We call the building the light bulb factory. Naturally, we’re going to leverage the idea of light bulbs and ideas,” he noted.
Draftfcb and Rivet are in good company. With plenty of warehouse conversions, walkable alleys and transit access, Liberty Village has become Canada’s ad agency hub. Click here to see which other agencies call this west-end neighbourhood home.
