MEET YOUR MAKERS

Ours is a close-knit team of individuals who love to shop, eat, play and work. We have a ridiculously strong work ethic, our days are full and focused. Most of us like our coffee black and preferably hand tamped and pulled in the office. As a group we have varied tastes in everything from music to sushi or video games to steeped tea. Our differences play well together as we each bring new and exciting ideas and perspectives to the table.

PRINCIPALS

In 2001, Jan Ball and Hayley Ballinger brought complementary marketing and design skills together to launch Ball Creative & Communications Inc. With a decision to focus on retail branding, promotions and packaging design we were able to put our passions to work. We are an ideal mix of experience and expertise... creativity, communication and organization. Working with a specialized team, fabulous clients and creative partners has provided us success and enjoyment.

Jan Ball has more than twenty-five years of experience in brand management and communications strategy. She is regarded as an expert in brand management through her proven ability to maximize performance and budgets while understanding both clients' and consumers' needs. Jan began her career as a pioneer in the Radio community, as Calgary's first female on-air talent. Her natural creative insights lead her to become an award-winning radio writer, subsequent creative director and Account Manager. Her professional education includes that of SAIT and the University of Calgary.

Hayley Ballinger as Creative Director surpasses fifteen years of experience creating brand imagery, advertising and communications design. As a leader of various creative teams, she developed an efficient and effective way to apply talent and experience in the best manner possible. Her passion for strong, singular messaging ensures effective retail communications. Hayley has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from ACAD and the University of Calgary.

Jan Ball
Principal,
Brands & Strategy

If you could have dinner with any person living or dead...

Ahhh, there are so many, all interesting. Walter Landor, Cesar Millan, Barack Obama, John Lennon, Edward Norton, Hillary Clinton, Wolfgang Puck, Jane Jetson, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Mr. Magoo? I love how he glides through impending demise, always coming out on the good side.

If I wasn't working in Advertising & Design I would be...

Very sad.

Favorite Quote...

Without strategy, execution is aimless. Without execution, strategy is useless.

Favorite fortune cookie saying...

"Your great attention to detail is both a blessing and a curse." OR there's always "You will have a thrilling time... next week."

Hayley Ballinger
Principal,
Creative Director

Before I die I want to...

Travel around the rest of the world. To date I have crossed off Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, US, and Vatican City.

I hope that I can bring my kids with me when we are finally ready to start wandering the globe again. Only 167 countries left to see.

If I wasn't working in Advertising & Design I would be...

I have always wanted to get a degree in Psychology; I find people fascinating and I would love to learn more about what makes them tick. Or start a custom furniture design company with my brother who is an amazing carpenter.

The worst thing you could say to me...

"I don't respect you." I understand that we can't always like everyone we meet, but it doesn't mean we can't respect people we don't like.

Favorite fortune cookie saying...

"Every exit is an entrance to new experiences."

Tina Van Der Linden
Project Manager

The best thing you could say about me....

Is your a great mum.

In my spare time I...

I run back and forth chasing a ball in the beautiful game of soccer.

If I could have dinner with any person living or dead...

It would be Edson Arantes do Nascimento, for those of you not up on your soccer, I mean football, that would be the one and only Pelé, also known as "The King of Football".

Before I die I want to...

Do some traveling in Europe, specifically the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Clare McCall
Designer

Before I die I want to...

Scuba Dive in the Great Barrier Reef.

The worst thing you could say to me...

Which part of England are you from?

If I could have dinner with any person living or dead...

I should probably say my Mum because I only get to see her once a year...but I'm going to say Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters...I think he'd be charming, super witty and he could tell me what Kurt Cobain was really like!

If I wasn't working in Advertising & Design I would be...

In my wildest dreams - drummer in a rock band...in reality, probably an illustrator or set designer.

Vel Guey
Designer

The best thing you can say to me...

"It's Friday!"

Before I die I want to....

Travel the world.

If I wasn't working in Advertising & Design I would be...

Fabricating concept cars.

Favorite Quote...

"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire."

Laurie Polson
Administration

Before I die I want to...

Sail in the Caribbean.

The worst thing you could say to me...

"This doesn't add up."

My personal Motto is...

Go while the going is good.

If I wasn't working in Advertising & Design I would be...

Retired.

Laurena Pollock
Project Manager

In my spare time I...

Go to yoga. I hit up as many music festivals and concerts across North America as my body and budget allow. I shoot a few photos here and there, and sometimes people even pay me. I also work behind the scenes on independent films in and around Calgary; and to fill in the remaining gaps I spend as much quality time as possible with my husband and our two Boston Terriers.

If I could have dinner with any person living or dead...

My Grandpa.

Before I die...

I would like to turn my black thumb green.

If I wasn't working in Advertising & Design I would be...

Own and operate an organic coffee and tea house.

Danilo Sena
Designer

In my spare time I...

I watch lots of movies, play my video games online with my friends and play bossa nova on my classic guitar.

Nicknames...

Dan, D, Daniel, Danyellow, Danilio or Dan-[insert your ending here].

If I wasn't working in Advertising & Design I would be...

A musician.

My personal Motto is...

You have billions of reasons to smile.

Leanna Ballinger
Designer

The best thing you could say to me...

"Yes, I can play this week!"

We have a lawn bowling team at the office, and somehow I've acquired roll of "team captain". So every week I have to ask, "Who's playing this week?"

In my spare time I...

...like to hang out with friends, ski, camp, watch coronation street, take care of the garden. Now that I have a little boy, I have no more spare time.

If I could have dinner with any person living or dead...

It would have to be Princess Diana. 

My personal Mottos are...

"Life is an experiment — the more experiments you make, the better." and "Live well, laugh often, love much."

Brighton
Resident Pooch

The best thing you can say to me...

"W-A-L-K"

If I could have dinner with any person living or dead...

Dinner? Yes, please! And I don't care who feeds it to me.

My personal Motto is...

"Woof!"

Favorite fortune cookie saying...

Cookie!?