When marketing teams share their award wins, the headline is often the trophy. But the truth is, awards are just the receipt. The real story—the one that matters to your business—is what led to those results in the first place.
So, instead of celebrating what we made, we’re reflecting on why it worked. At Major Tom, we’re proud to have been recognized with four wins at the 2025 Hermes Creative Awards. But more than a creative pat on the back, each project gave us insights into what makes marketing truly matter—and how brand strategy, when done right, drives real change.
Here’s what those wins reveal about branding, growth, and where your next opportunity might lie.
Platinum: Branding Refresh
When Corix’s water division was acquired, their thermal energy business was left to stand on its own. That meant a full rebrand—built not just to explain what Corix does, but to confidently reposition the company as a forward-thinking leader in an increasingly complex alternative energy landscape.
We built the refreshed identity around the Necker Cube, a shifting visual metaphor that reflects Corix’s strength: helping clients and partners see complex energy challenges from new perspectives. Their brand didn’t need to explain their systems or the infrastructure they would build—it needed to signal why they are the ones best suited to get the job done. Highlighting how rather than implementing a cookie cutter system, Corix approaches each challenge with an open mind and unique solutions to meet the needs of the project.
A brand isn’t a logo. It’s a lens. And when the business changes, the lens needs to refocus. A strong brand system clarifies not just what you do—but how you see the world.
Gold: Company Branding
Simpcw Resources Group needed to evolve from a respected regional entity into a brand ready for international partnerships. But the shift couldn’t come at the expense of the community values at their core.
We built a brand that honoured their cultural identity and set the stage for future growth. The result was a modern identity that resonated across industries—without losing the trust of the people who built it.
“A lot of agencies talk up a big game, but Major Tom actually delivers. Their team took the time to listen to our members, learn how we work, and produce an amazing new brand and website from the ground up to help us reach our goals.”
- Nicole Plato, Simpcw Resources Group
Director of Communication
You don’t have to choose between heritage and ambition. A well-built brand makes room for both—and uses your origin story as a competitive edge.
Gold: Outdoor ad design
How do you speak to real estate buyers and potential agents on a single billboard? You don’t dilute the message—you distill it.
We anchored the message in a phrase that works both ways: “Move with certainty.”
The creative visualized this journey—transforming from confusion to clarity the moment you crossed the Macdonald Realty logo. Knowing billboard viewers only have a few seconds, we prioritized instant comprehension. Even if the copy went unread, the layout—flowing top left to bottom right—mirrored how people in Western cultures naturally process visual information, turning chaos into order and reinforcing the message: Macdonald Realty simplifies.
When clarity leads, confidence follows. If your message is clear enough, you don’t need to say it twice—you just need to say it right.
Honourable Mention: Advertising Campaign
Canuck Place already had high brand awareness—but needed to create an emotional connection with potential donors to drive donations. But how do you emotionally connect with a person who has never had to experience the heartbreak of losing a child to help them understand the importance of their donation? So we asked the question: What matters most when time is running out?
That insight became the campaign: “Finite Days. Infinite Love.”
Thanks to the generosity and vulnerability of Canuck Place families, we were able to use photography and stories from true intimate moments of their personal journeies. To ensure we reached each target audience, this family-centered campaign was brought to life across Meta, Google Search, and DV360 display.
First 3-month performance:
People don’t give because they understand—they give because they feel. Emotional resonance isn’t at odds with performance. In fact, it fuels it—when paired with the right strategy and placements.
Each award-winning project was different in format, audience, and industry. But here’s what united them:
If you’re a CMO, a marketing lead, or a founder navigating rapid change, here’s the subtext behind these awards:
If you’re exploring a rebrand, launching a new campaign, or trying to reconnect with your audience, here’s what our experience (and these awards) suggest:
And when the work works? Sometimes the awards follow.
We don’t design campaigns for juries. We build them for real people. But when the industry takes notice of work that also moved metrics and moved audiences? That’s a signal worth sharing.
Because great work isn’t an accident—it’s the product of clear strategy, close collaboration, and the courage to do things differently. That’s what we bring to the table. Awards are just the receipts.
See more of the work that’s helping our clients grow faster, bolder, and smarter.
And when you’re ready to build something that moves hearts and market share, let’s chat.
Design with purpose, and don't fear to innovate.
