about us
Core Leadership
COOLAID Strategies is built on leadership that blends creative vision with strategic insight. With decades of experience leading high-performing teams and award-winning campaigns, we understand that the best ideas start with insight and end with impact. Collaboration, curiosity, and measurable results drive everything we do, helping our clients grow smarter and stronger in a changing world.
Strategy and Creative
At the heart of COOLAID is a creative team that bridges strategy and storytelling. Together, we translate business goals into bold ideas that resonate and perform. Whether redefining a brand or launching a national campaign, we blend human insight with data-driven precision to build brands that connect meaningfully and move markets.
Web, Digital and Content
We believe meaningful customer experiences live where creativity meets technology. That is why we are constantly exploring new tools, trends, and tech, from AI-assisted insights to smarter automation, to keep our clients ahead of the curve. Our digital and content teams bring strategy to life across every channel, creating experiences that are as innovative as they are effective.
q&a with the team
David
David’s career spans 25+ years of shaping consumer experiences, brand stories, and innovative solutions. Equal parts strategist and problem-solver, he has built a reputation for championing smart processes, unique strategies, and measurable results that moves the needle. David drives progress, rigour, and a people-first approach to every partnership.
Question:
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Answer:
I can happily disappear into an astrophysics documentary for hours – it’s my brain food.
Bert Meulman / Creative Director
Humour and creativity go hand in hand for Bert, think Bob Ross meets brand strategy. With more than 25 years in design, he’s helped some of the country’s leading developers and builders turn ideas into award-winning creative. Recognized by CHBA, BILD, and more, Bert brings imagination, insight, and a happy-little-trees energy to every project, proving that the best ideas grow where art and strategy meet.
Question:
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Answer:
California. Mountains, ocean, and desert all in one day.
Catalina Blair / Sr. Account Manager
A marketing veteran with over 15 years of experience in agency management, client services, and PR, Catalina brings structure and strategy to every project she touches. Since joining COOLAID in 2020, she has led launches from Niagara Falls to Fenelon Falls and everywhere in between. A super-organized strategist who loves spreadsheets and critical paths almost as much as her cats, Catalina is also a world traveller, karaoke champion, and the team's go-to for getting things done.
Question:
Who would play you in a movie?
Answer:
Aubrey Plaza: A woman who can walk into a room and instantly change the temperature - warm, magnetic, and funny, but with a razor-sharp edge that keeps everyone on their toes.
AnDrea D’Ippolito / Sr. Account Manager
With over a decade of marketing experience, AnDrea brings strategy and spark to every campaign. Known for turning big ideas into measurable results, she blends creativity with precision and a passion for meaningful impact. The capital D in her name isn’t a typo, it’s a trademark. When she isn’t leading client strategies, she’s experimenting in the kitchen or spending time with her two little ones.
Question:
If you had to watch only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Answer:
I’d say SEVEN because the cast and writing is fantastic, and I’m a little nuts like the protagonist.
Jennifer Marcelli / Account Director
Jennifer is the bridge between big ideas and seamless execution. With almost two decades of experience in marketing and account leadership – both agency and client side - she turns strategy into results and collaboration into long-term partnerships. Known for her ability to balance creativity with business insight, Jennifer brings structure, clarity, and humour to everything she does. When she is not in the office, she is planning her next trip, spending time with her children, or working on the next home renovation project.
Question:
If you could time travel to any decade, which would you pick?
Answer:
The 90s. Great music, low-rise chaos, and a perfect mix of cool and carefree.
Carreras Lou / Sr. Graphic Designer
With over 15 years of design experience, Carreras brings ideas to life with precision, personality, and flair. From brand identities to campaigns, his work balances creativity with strategy, turning everyday concepts into standout visuals. Known for his calm under pressure and sharp instincts, Carreras makes every project look effortless, even when it’s anything but.
Question:
If you could become any hero from a movie, who would you choose to be?
Answer:
The one who mixes intelligence, charm, and action. James Bond would be the obvious pick.
Maha Malik / Digital Marketing Manager
Equal parts strategist and storyteller, Maha brings ideas to life through bold, results-driven campaigns. With a passion for all things digital, she finds creative ways to connect brands with their audiences and stays ahead of every trend. When she isn’t diving into data or crafting the next big campaign, she’s exploring new destinations or discovering her next favourite restaurant.
Question:
What’s one thing you’d never want to give up?
Answer:
My morning coffee. It’s less of a beverage and more of a daily ritual for sanity and inspiration.
David
David’s career spans 25+ years of shaping consumer experiences, brand stories, and innovative solutions. Equal parts strategist and problem-solver, he has built a reputation for championing smart processes, unique strategies, and measurable results that moves the needle. David drives progress, rigour, and a people-first approach to every partnership.
Question:
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Answer:
I can happily disappear into an astrophysics documentary for hours – it’s my brain food.
Bert Meulman / Creative Director
Humour and creativity go hand in hand for Bert, think Bob Ross meets brand strategy. With more than 25 years in design, he’s helped some of the country’s leading developers and builders turn ideas into award-winning creative. Recognized by CHBA, BILD, and more, Bert brings imagination, insight, and a happy-little-trees energy to every project, proving that the best ideas grow where art and strategy meet.
Question:
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Answer:
California. Mountains, ocean, and desert all in one day.
Catalina Blair / Sr. Account Manager
A marketing veteran with over 15 years of experience in agency management, client services, and PR, Catalina brings structure and strategy to every project she touches. Since joining COOLAID in 2020, she has led launches from Niagara Falls to Fenelon Falls and everywhere in between. A super-organized strategist who loves spreadsheets and critical paths almost as much as her cats, Catalina is also a world traveller, karaoke champion, and the team's go-to for getting things done.
Question:
Who would play you in a movie?
Answer:
Aubrey Plaza: A woman who can walk into a room and instantly change the temperature - warm, magnetic, and funny, but with a razor-sharp edge that keeps everyone on their toes.
AnDrea D’Ippolito / Sr. Account Manager
With over a decade of marketing experience, AnDrea brings strategy and spark to every campaign. Known for turning big ideas into measurable results, she blends creativity with precision and a passion for meaningful impact. The capital D in her name isn’t a typo, it’s a trademark. When she isn’t leading client strategies, she’s experimenting in the kitchen or spending time with her two little ones.
Question:
If you had to watch only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Answer:
I’d say SEVEN because the cast and writing is fantastic, and I’m a little nuts like the protagonist.
Jennifer Marcelli / Account Director
Jennifer is the bridge between big ideas and seamless execution. With almost two decades of experience in marketing and account leadership – both agency and client side - she turns strategy into results and collaboration into long-term partnerships. Known for her ability to balance creativity with business insight, Jennifer brings structure, clarity, and humour to everything she does. When she is not in the office, she is planning her next trip, spending time with her children, or working on the next home renovation project.
Question:
If you could time travel to any decade, which would you pick?
Answer:
The 90s. Great music, low-rise chaos, and a perfect mix of cool and carefree.
Carreras Lou / Sr. Graphic Designer
With over 15 years of design experience, Carreras brings ideas to life with precision, personality, and flair. From brand identities to campaigns, his work balances creativity with strategy, turning everyday concepts into standout visuals. Known for his calm under pressure and sharp instincts, Carreras makes every project look effortless, even when it’s anything but.
Question:
If you could become any hero from a movie, who would you choose to be?
Answer:
The one who mixes intelligence, charm, and action. James Bond would be the obvious pick.
Maha Malik / Digital Marketing Manager
Equal parts strategist and storyteller, Maha brings ideas to life through bold, results-driven campaigns. With a passion for all things digital, she finds creative ways to connect brands with their audiences and stays ahead of every trend. When she isn’t diving into data or crafting the next big campaign, she’s exploring new destinations or discovering her next favourite restaurant.
Question:
What’s one thing you’d never want to give up?
Answer:
My morning coffee. It’s less of a beverage and more of a daily ritual for sanity and inspiration.
when you love what you do, the rest is easy.
Awards &
Nominations
Nominee:
DRHBA:
Professional of the Year
People’s Choice Award
BILD:
Project Branding & Identity (Juniper Gate)
Rendering (Courts of King’s Bay)
Single-Detached Home Design (Courts of King’s Bay)
OHBA:
Low-Rise Ad Campaign (Courts of King’s Bay)
Winner:
DRHBA:
Branding & Logo (Whitby Grove)
Website (Whitby Grove)
Website (Parkview)
BILD:
Branding Low Rise (Artisan)
Exterior Rendering (Sapphire Ridge) x2
Nominee:
CHBA:
Best Website (Artisan)
PKHBA:
Ad Campaign (Grace & Grand)
Community Of The Year (Nature’s Edge)
BILD:
Interior Rendering (Artisan)
Pinnacle Award – Marketing Campaign Of The Year (Artisan)
Winner:
PKHBA:
Website (Nature’s Edge)
Ad Campaign (Nature’s Edge)
Nominee:
CHBA:
Website (Nature’s Edge)
Winner:
DRHBA:
Sales Brochure Design (Ytowns)
Nominee:
DRHBA:
Digital Marketing (Highmark)
Logo Design (Ytowns)
Signage (Mansouri)
Social Media (Dockside Whitby)
BILD:
Project Branding & Identity (ParQ)
Brochure, Low Rise (ParQ)
CHBA:
Website (ParQ)
Nominee:
DRHBA:
Social Media (Dockside Whitby)
BILD:
Experiential Marketing Campaign (Dockside Whitby)