Allen Forbes

High-speed internet ads had become cliché playgrounds—people with bugs in their teeth, speedometers in overdrive, slow-mo explosions. Canadians had seen it all. Bell needed something that felt different, local, and unexpectedly charming. Enter Frank and Gordon, Bell’s CGI beaver mascots.

Solution

Instead of leaning into tropes, we leaned into personality. Specifically: Gordon. We placed a curious, lovable pedestrian on a real Montreal street corner and asked, “What Would Gordon Do?” We paired him with Frank—and the chemistry, banter, and pacing gave Bell’s high-speed message a slower, more human twist. Shot on Beaver Hall, the result was as offbeat as it was memorable.

Campaign

We contributed to one of Bell’s most iconic campaigns, crafting several of the :30s during the height of the “Frank and Gordon” run. These mascots walked the line between loved and loathed—but always broke through the noise. Think Budweiser Frogs, if they wore toques.

Impact

• National recognition for a long-running campaign

• A rare moment of humour and humanity in telecom advertising

• Culturally referenced, occasionally roasted—but never ignored

• Immortalized Canada’s nation treasure Norm MacDonald in Bell ad

Senior Copywriter: Allen Forbes, Art Director: David Taylor, Creative Direction: Christina Brown/Roehl Sanchez