When It’s Hard to Get a Job Without Experience, How Can Students Compete?

It’s an important and age-old question that many students and graduates grapple with. George Brown College (GBC) has introduced an innovative solution to help address this gap. mrkt X, is a student-powered, faculty-led, not-for-profit agency that provides real world experience to top students and brings fresh thinking, creativity, and  results to brands and organizations.

mrkt X connects top GBC students with real clients, solving real challenges while guided by seasoned industry leaders. The result: outstanding real world experience for top students, bold ideas, relevant strategies, and executional excellence that benefit both clients and the future talent pipeline.

As Daniel Santos, a mrkt X student, put it:

“This isn’t a school project - it’s real work with real impact. We are taking what we have learned and applying it to client needs. Seeing our ideas turn into campaigns and marketing solutions that drive results has given me confidence and clarity about the kind of marketer I want to become.”

Turning Challenges Into Wins: Famous PEOPLE Players

One of mrkt X’s earliest partnerships has been with Famous PEOPLE Players, the internationally acclaimed black-light theatre company founded by Diane Dupuy. Known for its artistry and inclusive employment model for individuals with disabilities, Famous PEOPLE Players has long embodied the spirit of creativity and resilience.

From campaign planning to brand storytelling, GBC students in mrkt X worked alongside Diane and her team to amplify the organization’s incredible story. This work has not only fueled awareness and engagement for Famous PEOPLE Players, but has also demonstrated the agency’s ability to bring fresh ideas and executional discipline to mission-driven organizations.

So much so, that mrkt X is now the Agency of Record for Famous PEOPLE Players - a powerful vote of confidence in both the students and the model behind the agency.”

Industry Champions Fueling Growth

Diane Dupuy, Founder of Famous PEOPLE Players and recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario, has been a tremendous supporter from the beginning. Her words perfectly capture the vision for mrkt X:

“From Classroom to Community Impact – When education meets execution, extraordinary things happen.”

Bob Sacco, respected industry leader (Director, KPMG) and Board Member at Famous PEOPLE Players, adds:

“And it’s working far beyond our expectations. The results speak for themselves - FPP is gaining in awareness daily, ticket sales are up, and most importantly, we are putting Famous PEOPLE Players back on everyone’s radar.”

Their endorsements not only validate the work, but also highlight the tangible outcomes that mrkt X delivers.

A Growing Portfolio

Beyond Famous PEOPLE Players, George Brown College students in mrkt X have already delivered impact for other clients including Borrelli Crafters, and KeepLeaf to name a couple. They’re also currently working on a product launch for a new client. 

mrkt X is well suited to support Canadian small businesses and start ups who are mission critical to Canada’s economy but often can’t afford an agency. 

Key Differentiators

• Supporting the Next Generation by providing top students with invaluable real world experience
• Innovative solutions blending fresh student ideas with expert insights
• Diversity & inclusivity at the core of every campaign
• Sustainable practices that prioritize community and environmental well-being
• Credible partnership with one of Canada’s most respected colleges

A Call to the Marketing Community

mrkt X is a living lab for Canada’s marketing future. Clients gain forward-thinking strategies and execution, while GBC students gain real-world experience that shapes their careers. Nicole Gallucci, one of the industry leaders guiding the students and work at mrkt X explains, “I have always said, ‘nothing is ever real until it is experienced’ and for our students  at George Brown we are providing real world work and experience. Some students may join us for a term, some for their career because the work we are doing is truly ‘best in class’!”

We invite the Canadian Marketing Association community to:

• Collaborate with us on projects
• Share expertise with our students and advisory board
• Champion a model that blends education, industry, and innovation

With the enthusiastic support of leaders like Diane Dupuy (Order of Canada, Order of Ontario) and Bob Sacco, and a growing track record of impact, mrkt X powered by George Brown College Students is poised to become a catalyst for creativity, community, and career growth in Canadian marketing.