Natalia Kaplan, founder of On Point Agency Inc., leads an award-winning marketing agency celebrated for bold, unconventional campaigns. With nearly a decade of experience, she specializes in helping brands grow through creative and disruptive strategies. During the pandemic, she transformed freelance requests into a thriving business focused on diversity and breaking barriers.
The BASA Awards caught up with Natalia to discuss her win and to find out more about her
Congratulations! As the winner of the BASA Awards®, what does it mean for you to receive this distinction?
This award is a huge honor for our team and testament to the value of our hard work. It’s a recognition that all the long nights and tough weeks were worth it. More than that, it’s a reflection that success doesn’t have to follow a traditional path. You can be unique, creative, and out-of-the-box while carving out your own place and thriving. This distinction inspires us to keep pushing boundaries and embracing what makes us different.
What makes you yourself?
My artistic nature, insatiable curiosity, and restless energy are at the heart of who I am. I thrive on creativity and am always seeking new challenges, driven by a quick-to-bore mindset that keeps me chasing excitement and inspiration. This has led me to pursue multiple degrees across diverse fields, continue my education (always on going classes on marketing, but also a silversmithing degree), and explore a wide range of hobbies and passions—from kayaking and aerial silks to enamelling.
What was your journey like to get where you are today?
My journey was a mix of ease and challenge. Transitioning from corporate life to consulting, and eventually building a company, felt organic because I hadn’t initially planned for it—I simply seized opportunities as they came. That made it easier in some ways but harder in others, as I lacked a foundation, a plan, or the right guidance. Along the way, I faced plenty of frustrations, and failures, but each one taught me something valuable. Overcoming those hurdles shaped both me and my business into what we are today.
What is a goal you have that is yet to be achieved?
My dream client is Cirque du Soleil. This brand has been woven into the fabric of my life for decades—my first childhood memory after immigrating to Canada was seeing a Cirque du Soleil show. I’m putting it out into the universe: This is the year my agency will create an out-of-this-world marketing campaign to represent the Cirque du Soleil name.
What is a characteristic you most admire?
Persistence. It may not be the most glamorous characteristic, but it’s one I deeply admire. The ability to keep working, researching, digging, and asking questions—even when motivation wanes—shows true resilience and dedication.
"The biggest lesson? No one will care about your business like you do—and that’s why following through on your word isn’t optional, it’s the backbone of trust and credibility."
Natalia Kaplan is the Founder and Managing Director of On Point Agency Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada. For more information, visit her website here.
