2026 Winner

REF Digital faced a unique launch challenge: how to position itself as a new agency while carrying a decade of proven expertise. Spun out from an established Canadian creative agency, it needed to feel both disruptive and credible to attract C-suite retail leaders across Canada and the US. The solution was a brand built on the idea of perspective: naming the agency “REF” as a nod to a reference point and grounding the identity in the tension between fresh thinking and deep experience. This came to life through a modular geometric system anchored by the REF square, a restrained, editorial colour palette punctuated by a neon glow and motion design that added depth and adaptability in digital spaces. A clear, structured voice and layered intellectual cues reinforced the agency’s strategic rigour, leading to 100% client retention, strong early traction in the US and mid-market retail and successful engagement with new business audiences.

Credits

[Company Credits]
CREATIVE AGENCY: LG2
DIGITAL AGENCY: REF Digital
CLIENT: REF Digital
SOUND STUDIO: Lamajeure

[Individual Credits - Agency - LG2]
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTION: David Kessous
CREATIVE DIRECTION: David Kessous, Ryan Crouchman, Maxime Jenniss
COPYWRITING: Benoît Faucher
ART DIRECTION: Laura Charette, Murilo Maciel
DESIGN: Pascale Alie-Crête
LAYOUT ARTIST: Marie-Pier Daigle
STRATEGIC PLANNING: Alexis Robin
CLIENT SERVICES: Ingrid Roussel, Constance Delille
PUBLIC RELATIONS: Kate Gouron
PRINTED PRODUCTION: Émilie Paquet
AGENCY PRODUCTION: Lina Piché
MOTION DESIGN: Samuel Thibodeau, Vincent Lemieux
EDITING: Samuel Thibodeau
PHOTOGRAPHY: Vincent Castonguay, Marie-Emmanuelle Laurin
MAC ARTISTS: Karine Allie, Sylvie Tétreault
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICERS:Nicolas Baldovini, Josh Stein, Luc Du Sault
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER: Sophie-Annick Vallée
VICE-PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTION: Ryan Crouchman
VICE-PRESIDENT, STRATEGY: Marc-André Fafard
VICE-PRESIDENT, ACCOUNT SERVICES: Karine Payette

[ Individual Credits - Agency - REF]
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTION: Joël Auchu
CREATIVE DIRECTION: Joël Auchu
COPYWRITING: Catherine Dorion, Marianne Renaud
ART DIRECTION: Marc-André Dandurand
UX DESIGN: Joël Auchu
UI DESIGN: Quentin Renaud, Sophie Giraldeau, Vincent Bélanger, Laurent Vénérosy
STRATEGIC PLANNING: Maxime Chabot
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS: Jean-François Picard
CLIENT SERVICES: Elodie Doua, Julie Doré
TECHNICAL DIRECTION: Romain Prache
FRONT-END DEVELOPMENT: Constance Souville, Romain Avalle
BACK-END DEVELOPMENT: Cédric Givord
USER TESTING: Michel Corbeau
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER: Nicolas Baldovini
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER: Sophie-Annick Vallée
VICE-PRESIDENT, STRATEGY: Marc-André Fafard
VICE-PRESIDENT, ACCOUNT SERVICES: Julie Pilon

[CLIENT : REF DIGITAL]
PRESIDENT: Julie Pilon
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTION: Joël Auchu