Sparking creativity, igniting change.
Spark Agency Group emerges as first full-service Indigenous marketing and communications agency. Backed by all Indigenous team, Spark is ready to disrupt the industry for good.
Vancouver, BC – November 21, 2024 – A new joint venture and partnership is set to transform the marketing and communications landscape in Canada. Launched with the support of an Indigenous investment firm. Spark Agency Group emerges as the country’s only Indigenous-owned and-led full-service agency with the capacity and expertise to manage full-scale marketing and communication projects. United as a collective, Spark has representation and voice in leadership from all three distinct groups of Indigenous Peoples in Canada –First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
“This is not only a first for an agency of this kind and scale, but also for a collaboration of this magnitude, where a new boutique investment company and a few PR entrepreneurs come together to disrupt the status quo – to create meaningful, lasting change, bridging the gap between Indigenous people and the industries shaping our future,” says Darian Kovacs, one of Spark’s founders.
Spark Agency Group is a partnership between Jelly Marketing, Symmetry Public Relations, and Elizabeth Bunney Communications, along with investor Maskwa Investments Inc., led by Joshua Nilson. A respected leader in the tech and investment spaces, Nilson's support further strengthens Spark’s mission to empower Indigenous entrepreneurs and create sustainable business opportunities.
Spark is uniquely positioned to bring an inclusive and culturally grounded approach to marketing and communications—one that amplifies Indigenous voices and actively involves them in shaping decisions that impact their communities.
"Our approach is deeply rooted in the intersectionality of our lived experiences," shares Elizabeth Bunney, CEO and co-founder of Spark. "As a Métis person, my ancestors have long served as translators between Indigenous and non-Indigenous worlds—bridging languages, cultures, and worldviews. Through this work, we honour their legacy and inspire meaningful change."
Spark represents the future of marketing and communications—one that is inclusive, innovative, and rooted in respect for all distinct Indigenous cultures. It's also a trailblazer in impact investing.
“I’ve been waiting for a project like this because nothing like it exists. Coming from the gaming and interactive media space, I’ve been creating narratives for decades – and this is another opportunity to create and change narratives – and to do it for good. That’s impact investing,” says Joshua Nilson, Founder of Maskwa Investments.
The agency’s team is united by a shared vision of sustainability, collaboration, and respect for Indigenous worldviews. Spark’s strategies integrate cultural values into every campaign, ensuring that every message resonates with authenticity and integrity. Trust is built and nurtured by ensuring Indigenous Peoples have an active role and voice in decisions that directly impact them.
“We’re not just building campaigns – we’re building relationships,” says Ben Borne, one of the founders of Spark and Leader of Symmetry Public Relations. “We listen, we learn, and we work side by side with Indigenous communities to ensure our strategies align with local knowledge and values. Our work is about creating meaningful change that benefits the next seven generations and beyond.”
United under one brand, Spark Agency Group is the agency of choice for large scale marketing and communications projects.
###
About Spark Agency Group
Spark Agency Group is a full-service Indigenous-owned and -led marketing and communications agency, founded by a collective of professionals from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. We specialize in crafting culturally authentic and impactful narratives that foster trust and collaboration, and we are committed to creating long-term positive change through strategic communications.
Our team integrates Indigenous cultural values and perspectives into every project, ensuring that our strategies are relevant, respectful, and deeply connected to the communities we serve. Spark is proud to be a catalyst for transformative, sustainable growth that benefits the next seven generations and beyond.
About Maskwa Investments Inc.
Maskwa Investments Inc. focuses on investing in pre-seed founders, with a focus on Indigenous companies. Founded by Josh Nilson, a Métis entrepreneur from Willow River, BC, Maskwa seeks to empower Indigenous businesses by providing early-stage funding and mentorship.
Josh is also the founder and former CEO of East Side Games (ESG), known for mobile games like Trailer Park Boys, The Office, and RuPaul’s Drag Race Superstar. A recognized leader in the tech industry, Josh was named Person of the Year in 2022 by the BC Tech Technology Impact Awards.
