COPYWRITERS, COMMUNICATORS, THINKERS, ARTISTS, CITIZENS
We are a collective of agency folks, writers, thinkers, artists and general doers who share a commitment to pushing our best skills forward and doing great work together, with an end goal of achieving the best results possible.
We come from the worlds of communications, branding, theatre, music and literature, and we believe in the impact of images and the importance of words.
Our virtual agency is based in Montreal with multiple points of operation in Toronto, Ottawa and New York.
MARTIN MALETTE
Creative Direction (text & acting).
The founder of Voltaire, Martin has steered the company’s activities toward communications, advertising and video production in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.
His 20 + years of experience in various forms of communications gives Voltaire a unique perspective and an extended network of contacts in many specialties.
With his multidisciplinary approach, he is not afraid of getting his hands dirty in all the sandboxes. He also writes, takes stills, films and directs actors, both on location and in sound studios. He is renowned for his gentle touch in casting and directing, enabling him to let actors deliver heartfelt performances.
A lover of music of all kinds, he can be found in the balcony of the finest operas or headbanging to the tunes of obscure atonal metal bands.
PIERRE-XAVIER MARTEL
Project Management & Casting.
Pierre-Xavier has been with Voltaire for 7 years, with 12 + years in the casting business. Over the years, he had the privilege to work on several advertising campaigns for different brands, including TD Bank, Toyota, Nestlé, Canadian Tire, Procter & Gamble - just to name a few.
Pierre-Xavier is known for his project management and communication skills and he is keen in coordinating complex situations for his clients.
He knows all the ropes of Quebec's art scene and its stakeholders. He is a prized partner who inspires actors, his colleagues and clients to motivate everyone to surpass expectations and achieve superior results.
NORMAND BISSONNETTE
Voice Direction & Copywriting.
An actor by trade, and a long-time Robert Lepage collaborator, Normand gives life to words, images and voices to deliver relevant experiences and impactful messages.
His 30 + years as a voice over talent taught him the ropes of advertising copy.
Having lived and worked in Toronto and Montreal gives him a unique perspective on the subtleties of language of both provinces, as well as a knack to identify the linguistic and cultural intricacies of Quebec’s specificity in the Canadian context.
Normand is a seasoned writer and a passionate talent director.
luc pouliot
Casting & Production.
With a curious and inquisitive mind, Luc dabbles in just about everything. His love of words and word plays is the reason he joined the Voltaire team 12 years ago.
A jack of all trades, both creatively and technically, he often ends up managing special projects. With the tool box he’s assembled, he can revise a casting, adapt a tag line, direct actors, produce home recordings, handle a photo shoot or juggle with chain saws. All in one day!
During the summer months, he can be found in the great outdoors, shooting pictures of the insects that he collects , which has been a passion of his for a number of years.
christian pepin
Finance.
Christian is often described as a hard worker with a sharp focus on details. Actually, that’s an understatement… he is literally obsessed with precision. But just at work!
A Voltaire team member for over ten years, Christian makes sure everyone complies with his order and discipline diktats.
A genuine tennis aficionado, he watches all the big tournaments and dreams secretly of competing in one of them someday. Playing chess, reading, listening to world music and travelling are his other passions.
CAROLINE CHISOGNE
Translation.
A former lawyer who defrocked because of her idealism, Caroline has worked with Voltaire since its inception as a translator, mostly on assignments related to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural affairs and the Ministry of Environment. She handles both our day-to-day communications as well as the more technical documents.
And ever since her Brownie days, she has committed to always be prepared: whether she needs to tackle a rush translation, attempt a new pasta sauce or go on an impromptu walk with her trusty canine Pastèque.
When it comes to finding the perfect work / life balance, Caroline has nailed it.
gavin elliott
Edition.
Gavin can be counted on to always find just the right words in a flash.
He joins us with more than 20 years of experience in various marketing and communications roles, with a focus on delivering impeccable copy at every turn. His breadth of experience has fuelled his success editing books, magazines and advertising for clients that range from Fortune 500 companies to the smallest non-profit organizations.
He has particular expertise in Canadian localization and refining French-to-English translations, which makes him a great fit for Voltaire.
When he isn’t correcting other people’s grammar, Gavin tends to his creative impulses by painting, taking pictures or playing guitar.
Seongwha Hong
Administration.
Seongwha specializes in organizing and following up on all our current projects. Day in and out, she provides information and documentation, maintains records and does a bit of accounting.
An incredibly supportive person by nature, she enjoys being the liaison between all the people involved in our company’s projects: clients, employees or freelancers, she loves hearing from us all!
When she’s not busy pampering her colleagues, she likes to indulge in daydreaming, picturing herself on a sunny beach, playing her little ukulele. Why not?
richard von erlac
Art direction.
Richard von Erlac wears several hats from his collection including Art Director, Copywriter, Graphic Designer, and Strategist. He has a B. of Design from Sheridan, and CAAP Accreditation from the Institute of Communication Agencies, the only professionally recognized credential in the Canadian marketing communications industry.
Richard has decades of regional and international brand experience, having created effective advertising across Canada, Austria, and South Asia. He has won numerous Canadian and international awards for his work. Major ad agencies such as JWT, BBDO, MMB, Y&R, Bates Asia have benefitted from his skills.
When he is not solving marketing problems, Richard uses his creativity in carpentry, quiz nights, and writing the Great Canadian novel. He would love to solve your problem too.
luc campeau
Music Direction.
With a consuming passion for music since early childhood, Luc is an across the board audio specialist. A bassist by training as well as composer, singer, choirmaster and announcer, his entire career has unfolded behind a microphone or a studio window.
He has given more than 1300 performances with the seven-musician ensemble he once led, sang backing vocals for numerous Quebecois and French singers and toured the planet extensively while entertaining the troops of the Canadian Armed Forces.
And for almost 20 years now, he has lent his voice to hundreds of TV and radio spots, in song as well as in prose, recording both in Montreal and Toronto. Incidentally, it was in Toronto that Luc first met the Voltaire team, which he eventually joined as musical director, to our great delight.
When you can’t find Luc in his studio, he’s quite likely having fun in someone else’s. And he’s looking forward to working with you!