Testimonials

Client Testimonials

What others have said about my work ...

"Barnaby Kalan is a rare breed -- both a first rate strategic thinker and
creative talent. In fact, I consider him to have the best direct marketing
creative mind in the business. He delivers what he promises when he
promises it. And his demeanor is business-like and tactful. He's a
consummate pro and I've always enjoyed working with him."

Stephen Shaw
Database Marketing Consultant and Columnist
for Canadian Direct Marketing News

"Barnaby has an unusual combination of talents. He combines innovative
problem solving with solid business thinking. He is never satisfied until the
creative product is solid yet fresh."

Stephen O'Neill
Art Supervisor
Grey Direct, New York

"Barnaby Kalan is one of the best all-round direct marketing copywriters I
have worked with. He is a fast learner, does thorough research and gains a
rapid grasp of each client's business. His campaign concepts are
on-strategy and appealing, and his copy is always clear and compelling.
Barnaby brings a professional approach to every assignment."

Robert Dinning
Account Director
AMW Direct & Interactive, Toronto

"We had 400 attendees at the February Workshops. Now, you know, that
normally it's like 250 or 275 ... So we were very happy about that ... I'm
glad you called because I meant to call you and tell you it really worked."

Marian Fox
Marketing Coordinator
Canadian Professional Sales Association

"Barnaby is a terrific person to work with. Not only is he a great copywriter,
but he is an excellent project manager because he is calm, thoughtful and
thorough! He really knows his stuff and knows which pitfalls to be wary of."

Margaret Finlay
Manager, Advantage Business Markets
Bell Canada

"Just as a note ... the people who count, i.e. the people who approve copy
here at the top end, loved your letter. We're really glad that we can do
business with Reliance this way, it makes life so much easier."

Paul Kuttner, Marketing Consultant
Formerly Retirement Products Marketing Manager Royal Trust

"Our thanks again - you did a spectacular job on the original RVSP Call for
Entry Promotion and the most recent ticket promotion looked just great. My
comments to several people have been that it will be a difficult act to
follow in the years to come; they were without a doubt the best packages
ever produced on behalf of the RSVP Awards."

Susan McLeod
RSVP Co-ordinator
Canadian Marketing Association (CMA)

"Everything was great. I was very happy with the job that you did. I'd like
to use you again for anything else that might crop up. Thanks again for
your help. I know that I'll be using you sometime I'm sure in the future on
other programs that we're introducing."

Shirley Alexander
Director, Member Benefits
Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA)

"I also want to let you know that I've really enjoyed working together over
the past 6 months and am looking forward to the exciting new projects we
are planning for next year. You do so much to help us to shape the public
face of the company and you make my job so much easier! Thank you,
thank you, thank you!"

Jen Charron
Content & Production Manager
ADBASE Inc.
www.adbase.com

"FYI, the mail out seems to have been a hit, we should exceed 200
sign-ups as of today which is close to a 3% response rate (so far). Our
telemarketing campaign begins later today and we have every reason to
believe that we'll exceed our initial 10% target in short order. Nice work!"

Dave Bourns
Senior Advisor, Tertiary
Petro-Canada

"You know our direct mail program, you did our sell sheet on the Vidal
Sassoon mailing? You know what that direct mail program did? It moved us
into a core supplier relationship with Proctor & Gamble U.S. So it's very,
very good. It was a really good piece and it gave us some big exposure."

David Engel
President
Innovative Graphics

"Just wanted to let you know personally that I thought the web copy for
Australia is fantastic. I do have minor things which we are faxing to you in
the morning but it was a pleasure reading it and saying to myself....perfect.
Thanks so much."

Angell Kasparian
TD Bank Group

"It did really well. We got 115 responses which is just over 1 percent,
which is phenomenal these days. There were 120 that came in… 12 have
converted to prospects, which means they're interested and we're
continuing to work them… one has converted to a "D" which means the
sales rep has put them into the sales cycle. Ten percent have converted
from the mailer so far, with more working. The format pulled. I think it really
worked for us."
Laura Martin
Director of Marketing
RSS Solutions

"I thought you might like to know that the Economic Development Office in
London called to say that the latest Business & Investment Bulletin mailing
was a great piece of marketing and that the letter accompanying it was
fabulous."

Monika Evans
Economic Development Officer
Simcoe, Ontario

"First of all I'd like to reiterate how pleased the clients are with your first
draft of copy. Our clients repeatedly stated that they were "extremely
pleased" with the "fantastic first draft" and thanked you for the
"phenomenal job." Thanks again for such a through and comprehensive
deck."

Adrianne Parker
Account Supervisor
AMW Direct

"The ELLE Canada FSIs are working very well. I could tell by the numbers --
we saw a clear increase in subscriptions during the period in which they
ran. I told the publisher that they're working, and we're planning to run
them again."

Rui Costa
Circulation manager
Transcontinental Media

"Thought I'd let you know that our Telus clients we're gushing over the
concepts and latest copydeck for the Expert Series. They LOVED
everything and commented several times (in a voicemail) on how impressed
they were with the work you've both done. Thought I'd share the good
news!"

Marlene St. Jean
Account Supervisor
AMW Direct
Toronto

"I just wanted to thank both of you for the Target creative. I just found
out that the folks at Target really liked the creative. They even requested
additional copies to pass around. Our sales person said the folks at Target
said "they knew we got it after they saw the creative." Thanks again and
great work!"

Steve Duncan
ICOM Information & Communication Inc.

"You have been a pleasure to work with and I could not have completed
this project without your terrific writing and organizational skills. I hope to
have the opportunity to work together in the future and I would not
hesitate to recommend you to others."

Julie Waldman
Marketing Manager
Harris Private Bank, Chicago