Formed by the merger of The S3 Agency and McMillan, we’ve combined strategic firepower with creative excellence – and built a team of extraordinary strategists, writers, designers, marketers, and CX pros who love what they do.
We serve global and growth-stage brands across automotive, consumer goods, tech, finance, sustainability, and more. Here’s the leadership team that drives our momentum.
Our core values create the acronym A.B.O.D.E. because they are what we live by. Those who embody them thrive in our home.
Ask better questions
We lead with curiosity and critical thinking. By digging deeper, we uncover insights that sharpen strategy and drive meaningful results.
Be the fire
We bring energy and initiative to every challenge. Our team is always looking for smarter solutions and forward momentum.
Open book
We believe great work starts with transparency. Clear communication and real collaboration keep everyone aligned and moving in the same direction.
Driven by greatness
We hold ourselves to a high standard. Attention to detail and pride in our craft help us deliver creative that is both polished and powerful.
Embrace the endorphins
We bring heart to the process. From how we work together to how we support our clients, we believe great work should feel good to make.
S3 McMillan was formed by the 2024 merger of The S3 Agency and McMillan – two storied creative forces combining their strengths in brand and demand.
S3 McMillan
Today, S3 McMillan is more than a full-service agency. We’re a clarity-driven brand-and-demand powerhouse with offices in the NYC Metro area and Ottawa – on a mission to help the world see our clients more clearly.
Denise believes every brand has a uniquely compelling truth – and that clarity is the key to unlocking outsized awareness, growth, and loyalty. As CEO and co-founder of S3 McMillan, she pioneered the A.R.E. methodology, helping organizations solve their existential brand crisis by uncovering what makes them (A)uthentic, (R)elevant, and (E)asy-to-understand. The result? Better results. A lot better.
Over her career, Denise has led groundbreaking campaigns for both B2B and B2C clients, including BMW of North America, Penske Media Corporation, Reworld™ Waste, Tata Consumer Products, and Wyndham Worldwide. Her work has earned hundreds of creative awards, and her leadership was recognized with induction into the Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey. A former national on-air marketing expert, Denise holds her Entrepreneurial Masters from MIT’s global program.
True story: While on a video call with Denise, you are equally likely to see a rhino, a bank vault, or an airline club in the background – she could be anywhere.
Jacob ensures that every S3 McMillan brand engagement does more than simply look extraordinary (which it does). It works flawlessly. He directs the visual side of branding with a clarity-first approach, helping our team turn complex strategies into design systems that capture attention and build long-term equity.
With more than 20 years of brand design experience, Jacob has partnered with clients across industries as diverse as fintech, healthcare, AI, entertainment, and hospitality. His portfolio includes work for Hitachi Data Systems, HUB International, Intuit QuickBooks Online, Schneider Electric, Unilever…and even the JUNO Awards. A multi-award-winning creative, Jacob is known for delivering design that’s as impactful as it is beautiful.
Secret talent: Jacob studied puppetry with alumni from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop (so we’re never really sure who’s pulling the strings with him).
Stefanie leads client relationships with a blend of clarity, empathy, and results-driven focus. As Client Services Lead for the agency’s B2C accounts, she ensures bold ideas are translated into seamless execution – from brand through demand.
With more than a decade at S3 McMillan, Stefanie has built deep expertise across industries from luxury automotive to CPG to high-end hospitality. She has managed award-winning campaigns for clients such as BMW, Eight O’Clock Coffee, and Penske Media Corporation, while elevating the agency’s overall project management capabilities. Recognized as one of New Jersey’s Best Marketing & Communications Professionals Under 40, Stefanie’s leadership continues to set the standard for excellence in client service.
Outside the office: Stefanie’s need for adventure includes skydiving, earning her motorcycle license right after her daughter was born, and working on a whale watch boat.
As Chief Sounding Board, Gordon lends his seasoned perspective to S3 McMillan, helping pressure-test ideas and untangle complex challenges. His big-picture guidance ensures that strategies are sound, bold, and built for long-term clarity.
Across more than 25 years in creative leadership, Gordon has partnered with global B2B enterprises like Siemens, Intuit, Oracle, and United Rentals, as well as rising companies such as FLO EV Charging and Pareto Health. Gordon previously led McMillan onto the global stage before merging with S3 to form S3 McMillan.
In another life: Gord could have been a flautist. Or a Fluevog Shoes ambassador. (We’re voting for the latter.)
Christine helps brands find their clearest, strongest positioning in the market. As Strategy Lead, she guides workshops and strategic initiatives that surface the insights, observations, and truths that allow organizations to define who they are – and who they’re for.
With 20 years of global experience, Christine has developed B2B and B2C branding programs for Fortune 100 companies across EMEA and APAC, as well as leading rebrands for organizations including DFIN, Canadian Bank Note, Canadian Pharmacists Association, Entrust, HUB International, and trueAGI. Before joining S3 McMillan, she worked with leading brand agencies out of Dubai, giving her a perspective that spans cultures, categories, and continents.
When she’s not weaving brand strategies: Christine is probably crocheting, well, almost anything. Gnomes. Holiday decorations. Dog couture…
Amanda ensures that S3 McMillan’s most complex, multi-layered projects move forward with clarity and precision. As Client Services Lead for B2B, she orchestrates teams, budgets, and timelines so that big ideas are steered toward flawless execution – no matter how many moving parts are involved.
With more than 10 years at S3 McMillan, Amanda has led projects for organizations such as Canada Post, DFIN, HST Pathways, HUB International, Pareto Health, and Reworld™ Waste. Her ability to balance strategic oversight with day-to-day detail makes her a trusted leader for clients navigating high-stakes branding initiatives.
Did you know: Amanda played university rugby. No wonder there’s no account that’s too tough for her to wrangle.
Adam brings together strategy, storytelling, and flawless execution to ensure every S3 McMillan campaign resonates with clarity and impact. As Chief Creative Officer and co-founder, he directs the agency’s creative vision, ensuring clients not only stand out but also stand for something meaningful.
Adam has shaped brand initiatives for national and international clients, including BMW Motorrad, IVI-RMA Global, and NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association). His creative work across print, video, out-of-home, and digital has won hundreds of awards and been featured in Adweek, U.S. Ad Review, and even a college textbook. A proud inductee of the Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey, Adam helped found the Rutgers Advertising Society and later honed his craft at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.
Fun fact: Adam has a dog and a cat. The dog is the smaller of the two.
Jared believes the most powerful campaigns don’t just persuade – they tell unforgettable stories. As Creative Lead, he shapes the concepts and narratives that allow S3 McMillan’s clients to connect with their audiences in surprising, resonant ways.
For more than 15 years, Jared has collaborated with clients across industries ranging from healthcare and cybersecurity to education and AI. His work has been featured in Adweek and The Globe and Mail, recognized by global bodies from The Webbys to The One Show, and has even won awards at the SXSW Film Festival. Beyond agency life, Jared is also a published novelist and screenwriter – skills that infuse his brand work with a unique narrative edge.
No kidding: Jared lives in a log cabin and occasionally loses WiFi to falling trees. But don’t worry, he’ll find a way to re-join the meeting!
