Definitely Real Agency

What Definitely Real Agency does

Definitely Real Agency is a privately held, boutique creative marketing agency headquartered at 395 Railway St., Vancouver, BC. Founded in 2021 by Danielle McNeill (Partner, Marketing Director) and Alexis Young (Partner, Creative Director) — originally operating as The Social Circle before rebranding to its current name — the firm operates with a team of approximately 11 people across creative, strategy, production, project management, and operations. It delivers services across three pillars: Strategy Services (marketing/content strategy, digital advertising, email marketing, social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and experiential marketing), Creative Services (branding, visual identity, rebranding, creative/art direction, graphic design), and Production Services (lifestyle and product photography and videography, social video, animation, motion graphics, and editing). The agency has no disclosed proprietary technology platform; it relies on third-party tools including Klaviyo (email automation), Mariana Tek (booking integration on client websites), and ClickUp (intake forms), and extends digital advertising capabilities through a partnership with LoKnow, which provides access to Google Marketing Platform, The Trade Desk DSP, Amazon DSP, Samsung DSP, and Vistar DSP.

The agency generates revenue through professional services fees, structured as either monthly retainer packages for ongoing strategic and creative support or project-based engagements for one-off campaigns, designs, or shoots. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and quotes are handled via a website contact form. Its go-to-market is sales-led, combining direct outreach, referrals from a strong client roster, and inbound interest driven by a case-study-heavy website and active social presence on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. The client base spans SMBs and startups (Big Star Lights, Honibe, Kommunity Fitness, Collage Beauty, Nezza Naturals, UMYUM, Notion CPA, Kinnect Active Rehab, Local Roots, Storycoaching, DeCourcy Group, Brick by Brick Art Co.), enterprise clients (Arc'teryx, West Coast Beauty, Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort), and non-profits/cultural organizations (Music BC, West Coast Creative Society), with case studies reporting outcomes such as 24x ROAS for Big Star Lights and a 332% Instagram engagement lift for Honibe. The agency was featured in ADWEEK magazine's Top 10 Indie Agencies to Watch in 2024, has no disclosed external funding, and does not currently operate outside the Vancouver market.

Name

Definitely Real Agency

Legal name

Definitely Real

Website

https://definitelyreal.agency

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Definitely Real Agency is a privately held boutique creative marketing agency in Vancouver, BC, founded in 2021, offering strategy, creative, and production services (branding, social, digital advertising, video, web) to SMB, startup, enterprise, and non-profit clients across consumer brands, music, beauty, fitness, and hospitality.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Marketing Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Full-Service Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Activation/Experiential Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAO), Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD)

Keywords

• Creative marketing services
• Brand strategy
• Social media management
• Digital advertising
• Content production

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Creative and Marketing Services: Revenue is generated through project-based fees for specific campaigns, design work, photography/videography shoots, as well as retainer packages providing consistent ongoing support for strategy and creative services. Services span branding, social media, digital advertising, email marketing, video production, and more.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Definitely Real Agency is a full-service creative marketing agency that delivers Strategy, Creative, and Production services for consumer brands. Offerings span marketing and content strategy, digital advertising, email marketing, social media management, influencer partnerships, branding and visual identity, graphic design, photo and video production, animation, and web design. Services are sold through monthly retainer packages for ongoing strategic and creative support and through project-based engagements for specific campaigns, design work, or shoots.

Product overview

Definitely Real Agency offers a unified creative marketing service organized around three core pillars: Strategy, Creative, and Production. Its Strategy Services encompass marketing and content strategy, digital advertising (powered by LoKnow), email marketing, social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and experiential marketing and brand activations. Creative Services include branding and visual identity, rebranding, creative and art direction, and graphic design. Production Services cover lifestyle and editorial photography and videography, product photography and videography, social video production, animation and motion graphics, and professional editing. The agency delivers services primarily through ongoing client partnerships and project-based engagements, working with retainer and project-based models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strategy Services Strategic marketing services for consumer brands including marketing and content strategy, digital advertising, email marketing, social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and experiential marketing and brand activations.
• Creative Services Creative services for consumer brands including branding and visual identity, rebranding, creative and art direction, and graphic design for marketing collateral, digital assets, branded merchandise, and signage and packaging.
• Production Services Content production services including lifestyle and editorial photography and videography, product photography and videography, social video production, animation and motion graphics, and professional editing for promotional videos and social media clips.
• Sleepy Tom EP Release Campaign Photo and video production, music videos, social edits, and promo photos produced for DJ Sleepy Tom to support the release of his EP 'The Rush' between January and July 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24x return on ad spend (ROAS) for Big Star Lights client
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LoKnowcoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing partnership for digital advertising. LoKnow provides advanced technology and access to top-tier advertising platforms for tailored campaigns. Definitely Real handles creative strategy while LoKnow provides programmatic ad placement capabilities. Partnership enables exclusive access to Google Marketing Platform (GMP), The Trade Desk DSP, Amazon DSP, Samsung DSP, Vistar DSP, and various streaming services.
• SpeakeasycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExclusive partner for web design and development. Long-standing collaboration seamlessly integrating overall brand and campaign needs with website design and experience. Has worked together for years on various client projects.
• Pressing MattersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for merchandise production offering silkscreen, DTF, and embroidery across various garment offerings including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, totes, jackets. Supports events, promotions, and branded merchandise needs.
• Big HugsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecret weapon for video production when clients need impactful creative. Has locations in North America and Australia, supporting creative output through ongoing creative and technical collaboration, production, and team upskilling.
• Mothership MarketingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner on Kommunity Fitness branding project. Mothership Marketing aligned creative with marketing strategy in a 'dream team' partnership for brand development.
• Forenoon StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner on Jenny Wun Coaching personal brand rebrand project. Partnered to redefine personal brand and outline path to continued success.
• Self HiredminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for BEACN brand photo and video shoot. Created full-scope, evergreen brand photography and lifestyle content to elevate product details.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• We The Collective: Vancouver-based creative agency focused on brand strategy, design, and content production. Comparable boutique West Coast indie with overlapping service offering and similar client profile.
• Taxi: Toronto-based creative agency with a long track record across brand, advertising, and digital. Comparable Canadian full-service indie offering similar strategy and creative services at a similar scale.
• Thinkingbox: Vancouver-based creative and digital agency spanning strategy, content production, and digital campaigns. Comparable mix of creative production and digital marketing services for consumer brands.
• Lg2: Montreal-based independent creative agency with a strong national reputation across brand, digital, and advertising. Comparable Canadian indie full-service creative agency with multi-disciplinary offering.
• Diamond: Canadian independent creative agency working with consumer brands across brand strategy, advertising, and digital. Comparable as a mid-sized Canadian indie with a similar creative-led model and consumer brand client base.
• Zulu Alpha Kilo: Toronto-based independent creative agency recognized by ADWEEK and global indie rankings. Highly comparable as a Canadian full-service indie agency with similar brand recognition trajectory and creative-led offering.
• Spring: Toronto-based independent creative agency providing strategy, branding, and digital creative work. Comparable as a boutique Canadian indie serving consumer brands with an integrated creative-plus-strategy model.
• The Garden: Toronto-based independent creative agency known for integrated brand campaigns and creative production. Comparable boutique Canadian indie with similar client mix and creative-led positioning.
• Rethink: Vancouver-based independent creative agency offering full-service creative, strategy, and production across consumer brands. Most directly comparable peer given shared city, full-service positioning, and indie agency identity.

Broad incumbents

• Cossette: One of Canada's largest marketing and communications agencies, with full-service creative, media, digital, and brand capabilities. Comparable as a Canadian full-service creative offering, but materially larger and not a boutique competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/definitelyrealagency
• Instagraminstagram.com/definitelyreal.agency
• TikToktiktok.com/@definitelyreal.agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Definitely Real Agency