I’m excited to introduce Mark Homza, the co-founder of Funday Creative Agency. Mark has been at the forefront of innovation, blending creativity and strategy to deliver exceptional work for clients while fostering an environment that emphasizes the importance of fun and performance in building successful relationships. Through his work at Funday, Mark has helped shape a culture that believes fun and great work are inseparable—a philosophy that has resonated deeply with both clients and creative professionals alike. Funday's GoToll campaign, titled ‘Avoid the Toll Troll,’ was named the winner of the prestigious 2023 Silver Clio Award in the Animation category.

Mark’s first major venture, Flixel Photos, transformed the world of digital storytelling with its “living photos,” known as Cinemagraphs. From winning an Apple Design Award to being recognized as the Company of the Year at the Canadian Digi Awards, Flixel revolutionized the way we engage with visual content. Flixel Studios was acquired in 2020, and Mark, along with three other co-founders, started Funday.

I had the privilege of photographing Mark and asking him a few questions about his creative journey, his insights into building trusted brands, and how he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in both advertising and digital technology.

If you check out my Cinemagraph category, most of the jobs there were created in collaboration with Mark and his team at Flixel.

Shaping the Future of Advertising: Mark Homza’s Creative Vision

Q: How did your passion for storytelling begin?
A: I have always had a unique way of seeing the world. From a young age, I was captivated by how ordinary moments could be transformed into lasting stories. This fascination eventually led me into the world of visual media, where I discovered innovative ways to tell stories.

Q;  What is Flixel, and why was it so successful?
A: Flixel is a company that pioneered cinemagraphs—still photos with subtle, looping motion. I co-founded Flixel and saw it as a revolutionary way to tell stories visually, bridging the gap between traditional media and the digital attention economy.  Unlike traditional photography or video, cinemagraphs captured a single, mesmerizing element of motion - not just a tool for creating beautiful visuals, it was a new way of storytelling, creating a fresh and emotional way to communicate visually.

Brands, struggling to stand out on social media, could use this hypnotic medium to cut through the noise.

Q: How did Flixel/Cinemagraphs gain recognition in the visual media industry?
A: One major breakthrough came when Flixel partnered with America’s Next Top Model, creating living portraits of contestants that went viral. This collaboration gave us instant credibility in both the art and advertising worlds.

Q; Which major brands worked with Flixel, and how did they use cinemagraphs?
A: Under my leadership, Flixel became a storytelling platform for global brands, redefining how companies communicated to their audience. Companies like Apple, Facebook, Mercedes-Benz, and Coca-Cola integrate cinemagraphs into their campaigns. These companies used cinemagraphs to create emotionally, minimalist stories that captured resonant moments in a world dominated by short attention spans.

Q: What is your philosophy about storytelling and motion?
A: I believe in the power of "motion in stillness"—the idea that even the quietest movement can tell a powerful story. My work focuses on creating emotional connections through simplicity and resonance.

Q; What did you learn from your time at Flixel?
A: I learned that storytelling is about building connections rather than bombarding audiences with content. This insight shaped my next creative venture, Funday. I continued to apply the lessons learned at Flixel keeping stories simple yet impactful, and always focusing on the emotional connection. My storytelling approach remains rooted in one core belief: if you tell a story that resonates, people will stop and listen.

Q: What is Funday, and what is your vision for it?
A: Funday is a full-service creative agency I co-founded after Flixel Studios was acquired. My vision was to build an agency that not only deliver exceptional work,  but also cultivated a culture where fun and performance went hand in hand. I believe that creativity thrives in environments where teams enjoy the process, and this philosophy quickly became a cornerstone of Funday’s success. Under my leadership, the agency developed a reputation for creating campaigns that were as engaging as they were impactful.

Q: Can you share an example of a standout campaign by Funday?
A: One of the most notable campaigns that put Funday on the map was GoToll’s Avoid the Toll Troll campaign. It showcased the agency’s ability to blend humor with smart, targeted messaging, and it earned Funday a prestigious Silver Clio Award in 2023. This recognition wasn’t just a win for the campaign, but a testament to Funday’s approach: connecting with audiences in memorable ways while meeting business objectives.

Q: How do you integrate innovation into your work at Funday?
A: I had already honed my skills in visual storytelling and digital innovation at Flixel. With my expertise in digital transformation, it played a crucial role. With my background from Flixel, I understood how to integrate emerging technologies into creative campaigns. Funday quickly embraced innovations like web3 and AI, positioning the agency as a forward-thinking partner for brands looking to explore new digital territories. This adaptability helps Funday stay ahead of industry trends, attracting clients who wanted to be at the cutting edge of technology and creativity.Building on those experiences, Funday, focused on CPG, consumer tech, and web3. I was able to bring my passion for combining creativity with strategy and integrating emerging technologies to drive client success in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

Q: What core belief drives your storytelling approach?
A: Whether at Flixel or Funday, I remain rooted in the belief that if you tell a story that resonates, people will stop and listen. This philosophy has guided my success in both visual media and creative campaigns.