ABOUT US
ABOUT US
CREATIVE DONE DIFFERENTLY.
Three senior-level freelancers with sharp minds and scrappy hearts. A copywriter, an art director and a strategist. Together, we cover the smart strategy, the big idea and craft that makes it sing. You can hire us individually, as a duo or trio, or with our extended network of collaborators for more muscle. It’s agency-level creative thinking delivered faster, leaner and more effectively for your team.
We’ve had long-term partnerships with big brands, jumped in to help agencies in a pinch, filled in gaps for in-house creative teams, named companies, led strategic brainstorms, and the weird, wonderful requests that don’t fit in a case study.
What you get is simple: big ideas, no bloat. Work that flexes to your needs and actually moves the needle. That’s The Canal Collective.
A BIT OF FLATTERY.
A BIT OF FLATTERY.
“They make a dollar look like ten. And I never wondered if they’d deliver, just which killer option to pick.”
“They listen, give ideas their due consideration and bring fresh surprising ideas every time.”
“It’s rare to find a partner that excels in both strategic and creative work, even though a lot of agencies say that.”
WHAT WE DO.
WHAT WE DO.
FINDING THE TRUTH
Strategy that lights a spark
• Research, Trends and Truths
• Positioning & Communication Planning
BRINGING IT TO LIFE
Creative that connects and actually works
• Campaign Platforms
• Brand Guidelines: Incl. tone of voice, look & feel
• Naming
• Logo + Identity Systems
• Multi-Channel Execution: Social & influencer content, broadcast, in-store, all the things
• UX & Content Strategy
MAKING IT REAL
Production that’s efficient, seamless and scalable
• Integrated Content, Broadcast Planning & Production
• Toolkit + Asset Development
• Production Oversight + Vendor Management
• IAT Collaboration
SMALL TEAM. BIG IDEAS.
SMALL TEAM. BIG IDEAS.
CHRIS CHAO
Creative Director/Art
If design is in the details, Chris has been obsessed since day one.
Mentally redesigning everything from cereal boxes to city skylines since he could hold a pencil.
Chris has built brands for Bermuda Tourism, Perrier-Jouët, P&G, Novartis, Westin and Sheraton Hotels. His award-winning “Feel Better” Tylenol relaunch helped Deutsch earn “Agency of the Year” three times running. Over the last decade, Chris has focused on global beauty, shaping Olay, Jergens, John Frieda and Curél into household names. His work has been recognized by Adweek, AdAge, Graphis Design Annual, The Addys and Effies.
KATIE YOUNG
Creative Director/Copy
Katie is a New Yorker with a Midwestern heart and a serious case of FOMO.
Her right and left brain work in tandem, curiosity fueling craft. Easy going, but never taking the easy way out, Katie thrives on a challenge.
She’s launched global campaigns for powerhouses such as Jergens, Hershey’s, Bioré and Rodan + Fields while shaping voices for icons such as Clinique, John Frieda, McDonald’s, Toyota and Crest. Her work has been recognized by Adweek, AdAge, Communication Arts and The One Show.
ROHINI SAHNI
Director of Strategy/Planning
Full-time strategist. Part-time creative whisperer. Occasional hammer.
With Texan roots and a New York edge, Rohini brings 17+ years of experience turning cultural insight into brand action. Honest, sharp, and fueled by curiosity (and a bit of sarcasm), she’s as comfortable in the boardroom as she is sparring with creatives.
She started in research and consulting, sharpened her planning skills in advertising, and has since led strategy for global icons including Jergens, John Frieda, Maybelline New York, Lindt, Rodan + Fields and a suite of P&G brands like Olay and Iams. Along the way, she’s redefined positioning, guided launches, and helped brands show up smarter, sharper, and more human.