---
title: "Jarryd McDonald, Founder and CMO of Culture Cartel"
description: "Jarryd McDonald is the founder and CMO of Culture Cartel, Toronto. Former CMO at Smith Power Equipment and Argo, and Global Director at the CMO Council."
canonical: https://www.culturecartel.ca/team/jarryd-mcdonald
language: en-CA
publisher: Culture Cartel
---

Founder and CMO

# Jarryd McDonald.

He builds brands people choose. Founder of Culture Cartel, a Toronto studio known for clear strategy, standout creative and momentum that lasts.

An experienced CMO and creative strategist across automotive, agriculture, mobility, fintech, electronics manufacturing and entertainment. He has guided complex brand portfolios, launched new brands and led creative operations across continents, with portfolio work for Kubota, Polaris, Club Car and The Toro Company.

[Work with Jarryd](https://www.culturecartel.ca/start) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrydmcdonald)

![Portrait of Jarryd McDonald, founder and CMO of Culture Cartel](https://www.culturecartel.ca/team/jarryd-mcdonald.jpg)

Toronto, 2026

Career 01

## Three continents. One throughline.

1. Founder and CMO Culture Cartel Inc. Toronto
2. CMO Argo Canada
3. CMO Smith Power Equipment Johannesburg
4. Group Head of Marketing GVA Lighting Johannesburg
5. Executive Creative Director Mabala Noise Johannesburg

Credentials 02

- CMO Council, Global Director, Global Circle Initiative
- CMO Council, North America Advisory Board, 2024 to now
- CMO Council, Africa Advisory Board, 2021 to 2024
- Martechvibe, Top 20 CMOs to Watch in South Africa

Operating style 03

Set direction. Decide with clarity. Launch with precision. Keep raising the bar.

High standards, tight execution. Sectors: Automotive, Agriculture, Mobility, Fintech, Electronics manufacturing, Entertainment, Events, Powersports.

Work he led 04

## Receipts.

- [Kubota](https://www.culturecartel.ca/work/kubota): The strategic engine behind a category-leading brand. · **80+** Dealers supported across Southern Africa · Brand / Agriculture and Power Equipment / Johannesburg / 2021

- [F1inTO](https://www.culturecartel.ca/work/f1into): We took F1inTO over and built it into the biggest race day in Toronto. · Live / Events and motorsport / Toronto / 2026

- [Smith Power Equipment](https://www.culturecartel.ca/work/smith-power-equipment): 19 brands. 7 categories. 6 countries. One marketing engine. · **19** Global brands in one distribution portfolio · Brand / Power Equipment and Agriculture / Johannesburg / 2019

- [GVA Lighting](https://www.culturecartel.ca/work/gva-lighting): A marketing department built from scratch, proven at Lightfair New York. · Live / Lighting and manufacturing / Johannesburg / 2015

- [Argo](https://www.culturecartel.ca/work/argo): A fintech brand that looks as serious as its backers. · Brand / Fintech / Canada / 2021

- [Mabala Noise](https://www.culturecartel.ca/work/mabala-noise): We built the creative department behind a hit-making label. · Brand / Music and Entertainment / Johannesburg / 2018

Press and speaking 05

For interviews, panels and keynotes on brand building, marketing leadership, experiential and practical AI in marketing, contact the studio.

[info@culturecartel.ca](mailto:info@culturecartel.ca?subject=Press%20or%20speaking%20request)

## Bring Jarryd your hardest brief.

Tell us what you are building. You hear back from a senior person, not a form robot.

[Start a Project](https://www.culturecartel.ca/start)

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Culture Cartel, 8 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5E 0A6. info@culturecartel.ca, +1 647 459 2154. Start a project: https://www.culturecartel.ca/start