Today, Henry Suarez is Vice President and Creative Director of Firedog Communications, heading up the company’s creative team to deliver innovative campaigns that include print, broadcast, web and ambient media. His work has helped Firedog Communications to gain national recognition for their marketing campaigns for its clientele.

In 1999, Henry graduated from Broadcasting with a thirst for the multi-media production industry.  This followed by a four-year Promotion Producer/Writer position at Dougall Media where he worked on some of the region’s most memorable television campaigns. He also led the company’s corporate image team for its transition to Bell ExpressVue. 

In 2003, Suarez formed a partnership with Luke Gladu, Audio Architect, Composer, Producer to launch a multi-media production agency. Services offered included audio and video production services as well as creative design and CD/DVD duplication services to a multitude of local businesses and groups. This included Production music for two (2) Television pilots and Thunder Bay Television’s (TBTV) jingle packages and News production music, which is still in use today. Says Suarez, “It’s a good feeling to see (or hear) that we provided a lasting product that can still be put to good use, especially in the case of production audio, which can quickly become outdated in the industry.”

In 2005 Henry founded Soñar Design & Creative Solutions. Demand for Henry’s independent design work soon gathered momentum and began providing creative services for a number commercial and private commissions as well as collaborating with various local marketing agencies such as Firedog Communications. This led to the natural transition into building Firedog’s creative team and media production services.

Firedog staff at the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. Nomination in the category of Best Small Business.

Suarez shoots handheld for Valhalla Inn commercial video production.

Suarez’s creative talents span a wide spectrum of natural and digital mediums, ranging from oils on canvas to large format digital artwork and commercial print to video motion graphics and Flash animation. Suarez says, “In today’s industry, and with today’s tools, it’s not difficult to accidentally spill into different mediums.  In fact it’s most often required. Agencies and clients alike are more often seeking multiple services from one source. Ambient media is all so connected now and one medium seems to ‘feed’ the other. For example, I still sketch out my animations in a traditional medium before taking them digital and flash animations can often become the basis of a commercial video piece.”

Written by:
Stephanie Ash, Communications Officer