(Guelph ON - June 4, 2009) We are very pleased to welcome you here today to help us celebrate a number of changes in the current development of GJA communications.
 
As some of you may well know, the agency was started over thirty years ago by Ginty Jocius. As a graduate of the Agricultural College it was not surprising that Ginty Jocius and Associates developed into one of the leading and highly respected agencies serving clients in the Canadian Agri industry. Some of our earlier clients were major names such as Gustafson, (now Bayer Crop Science), Shur-Gain (now Nutreco Canada), Dupont and Dekalb, to name but a few.

In 2003, Ginty turned the CEO helm over to Frances Marciniak a long time employee who became President and Partner. Frances’ area of strength lies, in her creative abilities and her ability to move work through the agency efficiently economically and with a high standard of creative excellence. That standard has been recognized by the company receiving a number of Creative Awards by industry peers over the years.

Sadly, in 2008 we lost our founder, mentor and friend in the passing of Ginty Jocius. In testament to Ginty’s contribution to the Guelph Community, the University of Guelph and the agricultural community in Canada, over a thousand people gathered at the River Run Facility to celebrate his life and achievements.

Since that time the company has added new staff, new clients and a new location here at 46 Cardigan Street. The company has re-branded itself to reflect these changes and the needs of our growing and diverse client base. The company is now known as GJA communications and has new clients like Duke University, ontariocolleges.ca, OnTrace Agrifood Traceability, Vintex, BMP Metals, and Intrigue Media to name a recent few.

Lorie Jocius co-founded the agency with her late husband Ginty and has contributed greatly ever since. Best known for her high energy and creative spirit, Lorie and Ginty’s entrepreneurial visions and  ambitions resulted in a number of new companies. One of which is Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, the largest and most successful outdoor farm show in Canada. Lorie divides her time between co-managing as General Manager of GJA and as President, CEO of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.

Jordan Jocius joined the company as Director of Client Services having spent his earlier years as an established professional photographer representing a number of well known consumer magazines and in latter years became engrossed in the rapidly developing field of Multimedia and Web Design.

Jon De Forest joined us as an exclusive consultant to the company. Jon has over forty years in the advertising agency industry in Toronto having co-founded a major well known agency in the early seventies. More recently Jon spent a decade as Sr. VP Planning for a large International web design and digital communications company.

Dan Needles joined GJA  as  senior copywriter. Dan is a humorist and is well know for his one man stage plays; “Letters From Wingfield Farms."
 
Rounding out our creative team is Rajinder Sidhu as Senior Art Director. Rajinder is not only a superb graphic designer with many creative awards to his credit, but is also a very talented illustrator, a skill not common in today’s electronic world. Rajinder’s influence is evident on most creative products created by the agency including web design.

Recently Bronwen Elson joined our creative team. Bronwen has quickly earned the reputation and accompanying awards as a talented graphic designer.

We wish to thank you again for joining us today to celebrate all that is new and in the contributions each of you have made to our corporate success.