7ACRES
CLIENT
Commercial Production, Cannabis
SERVICES
10-chapter video series, paired with blog articles, highlighting why Canadians should Accept Nothing Less.
Know The Grow
CRUEL partnered with 7ACRES to highlight the brand's commitment to exceptional cannabis cultivation and showcase its brand values through a comprehensive ten-part video series and accompanying blog articles, presented from the perspective of a cannabis enthusiast. CRUEL continued narrative from previous work with 7ACRES, having developed the visual identity of the brand for recreational cannabis launch in 2018; and later recognized as Brand of the Year at the ADCANN and Canadian Cannabis Awards in 2018, and Best Marketing Campaign at O’Cannabiz Awards in 2019.
CRUEL produced "Know The Grow," a ten-part video series supplemented by insightful blog articles. The series was curated from the perspective of a cannabis enthusiast, providing educational content that demonstrates the cultivation process and the brand's commitment to high-quality standards. It set out to underscore the different levels of values within the 7ACRES brand and establish the standard for exceptional cannabis cultivation—culminating in ‘The Future Ideal of the Plant’ a concept stewarded by CRUEL during development of the 7ACRES brand strategy.
The "Know The Grow'' series successfully showcased the 7ACRES brand and its commitment to defining the benchmark for exceptional cannabis cultivation in Canada. By providing educational content, framed through a cannabis enthusiast's lens, effectively highlighting the brand's values and cultivation standards, and connection to the cannabis community, CRUEL was able to continue telling the 7ACRES story, as initially imagined in 2018. The video series and blog articles contributed to raising brand awareness and establishing 7ACRES as a leader in the cannabis industry.
CREDITS
Production Company: Combo Bravo (combobravo)
VO Talent: Mina Khosravi (minakhos)
VO Talent: Norman Alconcel (bignormshow)
Director: Jon Riera (jon_voyage_)
Producer, Editor: Connor Illsley (connorbeardsly)
DOP: Aaron Alter (alteraaron)
1st AC: Alex Nunes (alexnunes.ca)
Gaffer/Drone Pilot: Lee Smith (blackopsmonkey)
Grip/Electric: Dave Morgado (itsyoboynorte)
Motion Graphics: Robbie Aitken (switchmedia)
Music: Hunter Kamula
Production Designer: Christina Kim (nulichris, breathe.ent)
Art Assist: Devin Jones (ddevinjones11)
Production Assistant: Andres Puche (aepuche)
Founded in 2013, CRUEL began as a university lifestyle platform in Montreal and a vibrant hub for young people, fuelled by the rise and influence of social media. By 2015, our company had transformed into a marketing agency, attracting clients keen to engage with youth culture, and leveraging expertise from hosting thousands of events and pioneering localized content initiatives. CRUEL's early success was marked by the nationwide launch of Snapple Spiked in 2016, leveraging an authentic, grassroots-focused campaign.
By 2018, CRUEL’s emergence as a creative force in the agency marketplace was nationally recognized, earning accolades such as Campaign of the Year and Brand of the Year for the launch of the 7ACRES cannabis brand. Since then, our agency has embraced adaptability and innovation, shifting from traditional event marketing to a fully integrated approach that now combines Branding, Content, Experiential, and Partnership services.
Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation, while also staying relevant, was highlighted by the LottoMax Dream Drop campaign in 2022, which was recognized with a Cannes Lion for Experience Design. In 2023, CRUEL continued to capture media attention, featured in prestigious publications such as Hypebeast, Highsnobiety, and Vogue. By delivering fully-integrated brand experiences that capitalize on contemporary trends, CRUEL consistently delivers innovative strategies to connect brands with the next generation of consumers.
BRANDING
Research and Insights
Brand Strategy and Planning
Brand Identity
Art Direction
Illustration
Graphic Design
UI and UX DesignCONTENT
Brand Storytelling
Digital Strategy
Content Production
Commercial Photography
Channel Planning
Community Management
Digital Platform Development
Emerging Tech Integrations
3D Motion DesignEXPERIENTIAL
Activation Development
Installations and Pop-Ups
Event Strategy and Production
Interactive Product Sampling
Logistics Management
Staff Recruitment/Training
Retail EnvironmentsPARTNERSHIPS
Strategic Partnerships
Negotiation and Contracting
Sponsorship Framework
Property Representation
Sponsor Activation
Valuation and MeasurementBrand of the Year ADCANN and
Canadian Cannabis Awards
SUPREME CANNABIS (2018)
Best Marketing Campaign
O’Cannabiz Awards
SUPREME CANNABIS (2019)
ADC Awards 2022
Gold for Media InnovationMR. SATURDAY (2022)
Cannes Bronze Lion for Brand
Experience and Activation
MR. SATURDAY (2022)
Atomic Awards, Gold for Niche Targeting, Collaboration, Engagement
MR. SATURDAY (2022)