Meet the people behind the work.
Kent Wakely
Founder, Managing Partner
As managing partner at Fruition Interactive, Kent Wakely plays a lead role in the company’s business development and account management, project management, and user experience evangelism.
As a user experience evangelist, Kent is dedicated to building great online experiences. As an Internet marketing and business strategist, Kent draws upon his fifteen years of experience in designing and building interactive online tools – including multimedia, Web-based contests, surveys, e-marketing and promotions – that excite and engage users.
Kent has worked in industry segments that include government, financial services, non-profit organizations, arts and culture as well as healthcare, media, and publishing. He began his career in 1993, developing Web applications for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs and e-learning modules for the University of Guelph. In 1995, Kent helped the Web development practice for Web Networks/NirvCentre – a unique online space serving the non-profit community in Canada
In 1996, he launched the first Web site for Toronto’s NOW Magazine, where he led all interactive media efforts for 4 years. In 2000, Kent worked as an interactive strategist, developing interactive online tools and applications for Mediconsult.com that provided online health information and services for doctors and patients. Prior to launching Fruition Interactive, he worked with blue*spark where he played a lead role on a nation-wide rollout of radio station Web sites for Rogers Broadcasting.
Kent studied at the University of Guelph. He is a Certified Internet Marketing and Business Strategist (CIMBS) and is a certified Agile project leader (CSM). He has been selected to serve as a judge on the Canadian New Media Awards panel since 2005, and is Fruition Interactive’s representative at the Toronto Board of Trade and Interactive Ontario.
Mitch Fanning
Vice President
Mitch Fanning is a digital marketing maverick who teaches C-level executives that online lead generation and marketing doesn’t have to be rocket science. The outcome is an effective, measurable, no-nonsense strategy that meets their business goals.
As Vice-President of Fruition Interactive, Mitch primarily focuses on helping small to mid-sized b2b and professional service companies attract and nurture leads into sales with targeted online marketing (Yes, that includes redesigning websites too!). Before joining Fruition, he advised some of the world’s most widely known companies in a variety of industries, from digital media to financial services, working and partnering with organizations like NBC, BNN, Nestle and Deutsche Bank. He’s also worked with a few Canadian tech startups along the way, including one ranked on the PROFIT 100 in 2009.
In addition to helping his clients, Mitch has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge when it comes to self-improvement, technology, and entrepreneurship. While his day job as a digital marketer keeps him busy, he enjoys sharing his knowledge and inspiring others whether it be as a featured presenter at Toronto’s annual Mesh Conference or simply writing an article or blog post. As a relentless creative, Mitch is also just as comfortable talking strategy with a CEO as he is getting his hands dirty in code in an effort to create useful tools for entrepreneurs on the web.
When he’s not working or needs to recharge his batteries, Mitch can be found exploring Niagara wine country with his wife Kari or taking his next adventure in fitness and self-improvement (you’d be surprised by what you learn about life and yourself skydiving from 14,000+ feet or hiking 12 miles of Hawaii’s rugged Kalalau Trail).
