Big brand thinking. Much smaller team.

Nice One gives growing organizations access to senior brand thinking, writing and creative talent, in a flexible way that works with shorter timelines and smaller budgets.

Nice One is run by Jill Dewes (that’s me!). With over 25 years in advertising and design, I have cultivated a strong and trusted network and keep up to date with industry trends. I know how to wrangle a brief, a budget, and a creative team…and still keep things fun.

How it works:

  • Start with me. I'll help figure out what you actually need, shape the scope, and write the brief.*

  • Build the right team. When we need design, development or specialist expertise, I'll bring in senior people I know and trust.

  • Deal with one person. I manage the work, the timing and the moving parts. You get one responsive point of contact from start to finish.

*After we talk, it may turn out that you ARE indeed ready for an agency. If so I’ll happily point you in the direction of one of the amazing agencies I know and trust. No ego, no bias, just a commitment to helping you get the best work.

Nice One might be a good fit if:

  • You're starting something and need to get the brand right.

  • Your organization has grown, but your brand hasn't caught up.

  • You need senior creative help but don't have a big internal team.

  • You've never worked with an agency and don't know where to start.

  • You're non-profit or purpose-led where every dollar needs to work.

See some of our Nice Work

  • I’m a brand consultant and writer with more than 25 years of experience in advertising, branding and design.

    I love figuring out what a project actually needs, finding the right people to help, and keeping the whole thing moving. I do some strategy, naming and writing myself, and bring in senior designers, developers and other clever people when the work calls for it.

    I’m naturally curious, very organized, and probably more excited about a good name or a beautifully clear sentence than is entirely reasonable. I care deeply about the work I take on and like working with people who feel the same way.

    Nice One is intentionally small, flexible and collaborative. Sometimes that means building a team around a brand from the ground up. Sometimes it means jumping in to help an existing team get something over the line. Either way, you’ll deal with me throughout — and I’ll make sure the right things get done by the right people.

    If I’m not the right fit, I’ll tell you. And, more often than not, I’ll know someone who is.

    I love connecting with new people - see my LinkedIn here.

    (Photo Credit: The wonderful Roth & Ramberg)

Areas of expertise

  • I will develop brand copy, and partner with a senior designer on:

    • logo development

    • colour palette, and font recommendations

    • plus graphic applications like merch, design collateral, and social assets.

  • There’s a lot of meaning in a good name. It evokes emotion and is an invitation to learn more. I’ll help you define and explore various strategic territories and then present multiple naming options and rationales to choose from.

    I’ll also help develop a brand copy voice, rally cry, messaging pillars, social content, and website copy.

  • If you’re looking for a Squarespace site or a Readymag publication, I can help.

    From copy and design to development and launch. I’ll also provide a training document and work with your IT team to make sure things go smoothly and you’re empowered to make future changes.

  • Heading to a trade show? Making merch? Looking to do a digital or printed report, or need some social media standards? I’m happy to help.

    For PR or ongoing social, I can also connect you with agencies that specialize in just that.

  • With years of experience in food and beverage packaging, I can make sure you’re both compliant and compelling.

  • Looking for ideas to partner with another brand and expand your reach? I’ll help you brainstorm and broker the introductions where I can.

Nice Work

  • Cabin Brewing

    Ongoing label design and social media assets (in partnership with Ben Gough at Benjamagnus, and Brian Allen at Special Forces)

    See More Work

  • Loud&Clear Finance

    Name, verbal and visual identity, website, and launch collateral (in partnership with Brian Allen at Special Forces)

    See Loud&Clear Site

  • Joule Network

    Name, verbal and visual identity, website, and launch collateral including video (in partnership with Diana Prymack and Lyndsay Wasko)

    See Joule Site

  • Adhart

    Verbal and visual identity, website, and launch collateral (in partnership with Shannon Hewlko at Heyya Brands)

    See Adhart Site

  • SCOPE Society of Alberta

    Refreshed visual and verbal identity, new website, plus collateral development including business cards, signage, rack cards, merch, and presentation templates (in partnership with Brian Allen at Special Forces)

    See SCOPE Site

  • Frank Executive Partners

    Verbal and visual identity, website, and launch collateral (in partnership with Brian Allen at Special Forces)

    See Frank Site

  • Highmark Training Co.

    Verbal and visual identity, merch, and launch social assets (in partnership with Brian Allen at Special Forces)

    See Highmark Site

  • Areto

    Refreshed visual and verbal identity, new website, plus content development including white papers, blogs, and social media (in partnership with Shannon Hewlko at Heyya Brands)

    See Areto Site

  • Pillar Capital

    Brand strategy, visual and verbal identity refresh, new website and collateral (in partnership with Claudia Aguirre at Kind Atom, and Brian Allen at Special Forces)

    See Pillar Site

  • Revery

    Name, verbal and visual identity, website, and launch collateral (in partnership with Lyndsay Wasko)

    See Revery Site

BRANDS I’VE WORKED WITH

•

Cabin Brewing

•

TransAlta

•

Alberta Cancer Foundation

•

Calgary Zoo

•

Foothills Creamery

•

Cinnzeo

•

The Establishment

•

Annex

•

Calgary Foundation

•

Big Rock

•

Calgary Economic Development

•

University of Calgary

•

Loud&Clear

•

Joule

•

Areto

•

SCOPE Society of Alberta

•

Pillar Capital

•

Frank Executive Partners

• Cabin Brewing • TransAlta • Alberta Cancer Foundation • Calgary Zoo • Foothills Creamery • Cinnzeo • The Establishment • Annex • Calgary Foundation • Big Rock • Calgary Economic Development • University of Calgary • Loud&Clear • Joule • Areto • SCOPE Society of Alberta • Pillar Capital • Frank Executive Partners

Podcasts & articles

Here are some things I’ve said in public ;)

BeGiant: The rise of the Canadian woman solopreneur (Article, May, 2026)

The Calgary Sessions with Jeff Humphreys (YouTube Video, April, 2026)

Founder in Progress (YouTube Video, January, 2026)

Calgary Marketing Association (YouTube, February, 2025)

Communication Arts: Daughter Feature (Article, 2025)

Craft & Crew Podcast (Spotify, November, 2022)

Marketing on Tap (Spotify, February, 2021)

Craft Beer Awards Article (Global News, July, 2021)

Get in touch

Interested in working together? Fill in the form or email jill@niceone.ca and I will be in touch shortly.

  • Jill is an absolute pleasure to work with. Strategically smart. Marketing savvy. Client focused. Always working to find the best possible solution for her clients.

    Judy Lang, Calgary Zoo

  • Jill is one of those rare account people that actually gets excited about creative and the creative process.

    Brian Allen, Trigger

  • Jill is a very responsive and detail-oriented project manager. She managed two major website updates for me.

    Ameera Shivji, BluEarth Renewables

  • Jill is the sort of busy person who attracts lots of work because she gets things done.

    Lew Bentley, Clemenger BBDO

  • Jill will be the extra hour in your day, the toast to your jam, the Leslie Knope to your branding chaos (enthusiastic, optimistic, and armed with a truly brilliant work ethic for anyone lost on the Parks and Rec reference). I couldn’t recommend investing in her and Nice One more.

    Camille Vitek, Loud&Clear Financial Services

  • Jill is easy to work with, and understood our overall vision. She worked at our pace, and provided constructive feedback along with clear direction at each stage, while presenting well-considered options. We would highly recommend working with Jill for anyone starting a company or looking to update their brand.

    Dave Douglas, Adhart

  • From the very beginning, it was obvious Jill is an expert in her field consistently demonstrating deep knowledge and professionalism. What sets Nice One apart is the ability to bring together the right people for the job. To assemble the right team and leverage the expertise needed to achieve the best possible outcome.

    SCOPE Society of Alberta