Arrivals + Departures expands into media by acquiring MW360

Now called Arrivals + Departures Media, the combination aims to forge the best path forward for both Halifax-based agencies.
By Loukia Papadopoulos
September 6, 2022

Independent creative agency Arrivals + Departures has acquired MW360 Media, a national media agency based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In addition to collaborating on a shared client base, MW360 will now be rebranded to Arrivals + Departures Media.

Jennifer Sutherland, VP of client services for Arrivals + Departures in Halifax, will be leading the integration of the new services across the agency. The full MW360 team of fourteen has now moved into the Arrivals + Departures’ Halifax office.

MW360 was founded by Margot Walsh in 2001 and today offers media services to clients across eight provinces. Due to their shared home base, the two agencies have worked closely across many clients over the last decade.

“When thinking about the future and the best way to provide more value and opportunities for my clients and team, Arrivals + Departures was the clear best fit based on the mutual respect and shared culture and vision,” says Walsh.

Meanwhile, Martin Delaney, partner, president and chief strategist at Arrivals + Departures, adds that having a fully integrated offering will help to further strengthen the agency’s creative product.

This is the third acquisition for Arrival + Departures in just over five years, following Blammo Worldwide and BlueBand Digital, which contributed to the rapid growth of its Toronto office.

“We’ve really been focused on expanding our bench strength and broadening our services in both markets to really be able to compete with anyone nationally,” says Daniel Tolensky, partner, CFO and COO at the agency.

Pre-pandemic, Arrivals + Departure’s staff was just under 50 people. The addition of the MW360 team now puts the agency at over 80.

Clients for the companies include Tourism PEI, Efficiency Nova Scotia, Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Nova Scotia Community College, Shannex and Workers Compensation Board Nova Scotia. MW360 also has valued partnerships with clients including Cohen’s Home Furnishings, O’Regan’s Automotive Group, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses, SOS Children’s Villages, Wedgwood Insurance and Irving Oil.