The Canadian Foundation of Comedy

The Canadian Foundation of Comedy (CANCOM)

The Mob’s Press helped build its brand identity, set up social media channels, email marketing and clarify its mission, structure its communication systems, and establish a professional digital presence capable of leading national advocacy for comedy.

ABOUT

The Foundation of Canadian Comedy (CANCOM) is a groundbreaking national organization created to address a critical gap in Canada’s cultural landscape: comedy is not recognized as an art form in Canada. This lack of recognition restricts funding, training, professional development, and the overall legitimacy of comedians as cultural workers.

CANCOM’s mission is to change that. By supporting comedians through education, resources, research, sector development, and advocacy, the foundation aims to secure long-term recognition and stability for comedy across the country.

SERVICES

Website Development

E-Commerce (Membership & Subscription)

Logo and Branding

Social Media Set-up and Management

Email Marketing

Community Building

Virtual Event Producer

Bilingual Website & Communications

Challenges

Before its public launch, CANCOM faced significant systemic and communication hurdles that limited its impact and visibility. Comedy was not officially recognized as a professional art form in Canada, which excluded comedians from federal arts funding and left the sector without a centralized institution for development and advocacy.

Communication among provinces, festivals, collectives, and independent artists was fragmented, preventing unified progress and collaboration. Funders and policymakers often misunderstood or overlooked the cultural, economic, and community contributions of comedy, resulting in further marginalization.

Moreover, the absence of a digital platform hindered CANCOM’s ability to share its mission, host programs, or provide resources and research for the comedy community. Creating messaging that would resonate with both artists and institutional partners was essential.

To address these issues, CANCOM needed to establish a polished and credible brand identity, allowing it to operate confidently in both the arts and nonprofit sectors.

Project Objectives

Define its brand story and mission around comedy’s lack of recognition

Develop a national digital presence that speaks to artists, funders, institutions, and the public

Build advocacy messaging that clearly communicates the systemic problem

Create communication workflows for programs, announcements, and future initiatives

Establish CANCOM as a legitimate national foundation ready to lead policy, research, and community support

Unify the comedy community under one accessible, inclusive umbrella organization

Strategy

CANCOM’s development began by defining a compelling mission and narrative that explained why comedy lacks professional recognition in Canada and why a dedicated foundation is needed to drive long-term institutional change. This narrative shaped a cohesive brand identity and professional, advocacy-focused voice across the website and all communications.

A comprehensive digital ecosystem was built to centralize CANCOM’s mission, research, programs, resources, and engagement opportunities, positioning the organization as a national leader.

Central to the strategy was reframing comedy for policymakers and funders by highlighting its cultural, economic, and social impact, as well as the inequities created by its non-recognition.

A targeted communication and social media plan supported this work through consistent public education, storytelling, and amplification of key initiatives, helping build momentum across the comedy sector.

Solution

Mission & Narrative Development

Brand Identity & Messaging

Digital Ecosystem & Website Framework

Advocacy Positioning

Community Communication Strategy

Social Media & Awareness Launch

Results

CANCOM has established a strong national identity as a credible cultural foundation, presenting a unified mission and a professional voice that highlights the systemic barriers facing Canadian comedy artists.

Clear, strategic messaging has helped increase awareness among artists, funders, institutions, and policymakers. With its new centralized digital platform, CANCOM provides comedians, organizers, and partners with consistent information and regular updates.

This professional and accessible approach has strengthened CANCOM’s alignment with the government, non-profit organizations and funders, positioning it as a respected partner in culture and advocacy. Most importantly, CANCOM now possesses the infrastructure needed to support long-term growth through expanded programs, research, advocacy, and sector-wide initiatives.

OUTCOME

A Strong, Credible National Identity

Increased Recognition of Comedy’s Systemic Barriers

A Centralized Digital Home for the Comedy Sector

Stronger Alignment With Arts Institutions & Funders

Infrastructure for Long-Term Growth

Impact

The Mob’s Press equipped CANCOM with the clarity, structure, and digital presence needed to lead the national movement for comedy’s recognition as an art form in Canada.

With strong messaging, organized communication systems, and a credible foundation identity, CANCOM is now positioned to advocate for policy change, support comedians, deliver education and resources, develop the sector nationally, and build partnerships with key cultural institutions. This ultimately unifies the comedy community and drives long-term systemic change.