Reprinted from Image Makers Canada.
In each issue of ImageMakers, we will focus on a member of the Sign association of Canada who has made a positive contribution to or impact on his or her community or the sign industry. In this issue, we look at how Sam and Jack Markle are giving back.
Single-parent homes may be all too common in Canada today, but they were anything but common in the 1940s north end of Winnipeg into which Sam and Jack Markle were born. Their strongly independent mother, Bessie, separated from their father when Jack was only six months old, something rarely seen in the close-knit Jewish community of their neighbourhood. They eventually grew up in their grandmother’s home, along with their mother and two unmarried aunts.
“Our mother was tough,” says Sam. “If we came home from school with 98 per cent, she wanted to know what happened to the other 2 per cent! That kind of drive to achieve our best may have been a contributing factor to the tenacity we’ve needed to thrive in this business for more than 40 years.”
Indeed, when Sam, who is the elder of the “Brothers Markle,” initially came to Toronto, his intention was to simply earn enough money to get him to Paris where he dreamed of becoming an artist. He took a job as a sign painter with a small local company and, in 1955, with $20 borrowed from his roommate, he started his own business. With that money, he bought business cards for $4.50 and a small paint and brush kit and began hand-lettering trucks and other commercial vehicles. Jack, who had arrived from Winnipeg in 1958 planning to pursue a law-school education, joined Sam in the business and the rest, as they say, is history.
By 1966, the brothers had enjoyed significant success with hand-painted signs, but they realized the need for such pieces was diminishing with the increased use of plastics and neon. Knowing nothing about the technical side of neon, but determined to corner a piece of that market, they purchased a small neon company with three employees and merged it with their original business in 1969.
Never abandoning their strong artistic roots, Sam and Jack opened the “Electric Gallery” in 1970, displaying creations that were lit by either battery or electric power. Exhibits came from all over the world and the brothers themselves exhibited pieces in shows in North America and Europe, eventually even making it to Paris, Sam’s original destination of some 25 years earlier. In 1972, Jack was the only Canadian exhibitor at an art show in Basel, Switzerland, where designer Pierre Cardin purchased a $1,200 piece from him. Canadians also responded enthusiastically to their “pre-Warhol pop art”; the National Art Bank in Ottawa has Markle pieces in its lender bank to this day.
Commercially, the Markles kept ahead of the trends and created neon signage for major retail and corporate sites throughout North America, including the landmark 25-foot record disc that identified downtown Toronto’s famous “Sam the Record Man” flagship store.
With close ties to many developers who went under during the recession of the 1990’s, the Markles faced some major challenges to their business, which at that point occupied a 24,000-square foot facility with 40 employees. They not only recovered, with a leaner, more efficient operation, but they also began to look to innovations within the sign industry to create new avenues of business.
Today, their website offers a virtual cornucopia of sign constructions – from neon to computerized directories, illuminated and non-illuminated signs – vehicle graphics, consulting and more. The Markles’ entrepreneurial spirit and their strong artistic and design background have helped them to adjust to the constant changes in signage and to thrive in the rapidly growing industry.
However, it’s not all business for Sam and Jack. Both have used their time and talents to “give back” to both the sign industry and the community. When George Brown College offered its first sign-graphics program, the brothers offered an annual cash bursary and a plaque to the most promising student. “Yeah, and then we hired them,” quips Jack, ever the funny man of the pair.
Currently they offer their time and the benefit of their experience to students at Seneca College who may be starting a new business or learning to “think out of the box” to strengthen an existing business – a skill at which both Markles excel.
Both brothers are active fundraisers for the United Jewish Appeal, while Sam is also active with the Canadian Cancer Society for which he is an area captain. Jack is a natural comic who loves nothing more than doing his stand-up comedy routine at seniors’ homes. He claims the residents are the perfect audience. “I can tell the same joke twice and they don’t remember.”
“Don’t listen to him,” declares Sam. “He never quits.”
Nor will either of the Markle Brothers – at least not anytime soon. With three awards won in the sign-industry’s recent “Image Makers” competition, it’s a good bet that they will remain among our most-creative business leaders for many years to come.
Bessie would be proud.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
VIP invitation to a special event at the Design Exchange
The Royal Danish Consulate General is pleased to invite you to a
Wayfinding presentation and reception.
June 6,2007- 6:00 to 7:30 pm (comp bar and Danish hor d'oevres)
"Wayfinding at Heathrow Airport and Lloyds of London"
Combining architecture, wayfinding and industrial design.
Presented by UK wayfinding guru, Mike Slater.
This event is sponsored by DanSign AS, of Copenhagen, Denmark and
their representative, The Brothers Markle Inc. of Toronto. DanSign AS are
the innovative creators of award-winning modular, architectural sign systems,
exported to 30 countries.
These products have been used in Europe by Hilton Hotels, Copenhagen
and Manchester airports. Some of the Toronto installations include The
Region of York, Memorial Chiropractic College, Town of Richmond Hill and
many others.
DanSign AS is part of The Danish Way of Living exhibition currently on at the
Design Exchange and you are invited to visit www.danishwayofliving.com.
We hope to see you on June 6 at the Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto
Please RSVP before June 1 to kf@tradecomm.com or tel. 416 962 5661 ext.326
Best regards
Peter Moerk
Consul & Trade Commisioner
Wayfinding presentation and reception.
June 6,2007- 6:00 to 7:30 pm (comp bar and Danish hor d'oevres)
"Wayfinding at Heathrow Airport and Lloyds of London"
Combining architecture, wayfinding and industrial design.
Presented by UK wayfinding guru, Mike Slater.
This event is sponsored by DanSign AS, of Copenhagen, Denmark and
their representative, The Brothers Markle Inc. of Toronto. DanSign AS are
the innovative creators of award-winning modular, architectural sign systems,
exported to 30 countries.
These products have been used in Europe by Hilton Hotels, Copenhagen
and Manchester airports. Some of the Toronto installations include The
Region of York, Memorial Chiropractic College, Town of Richmond Hill and
many others.
DanSign AS is part of The Danish Way of Living exhibition currently on at the
Design Exchange and you are invited to visit www.danishwayofliving.com.
We hope to see you on June 6 at the Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto
Please RSVP before June 1 to kf@tradecomm.com or tel. 416 962 5661 ext.326
Best regards
Peter Moerk
Consul & Trade Commisioner
 |  |  |
Good signs will win friends and influence people
By Robert Sadoff
We live in an age of visual information – constantly bombarded with an astonishing amount of informative material designed to advise, entice and direct us.
Signage plays a very important role in this transfer of information, especially in the world of business.
A stroll along any city street or through any shopping mall reveals that virtually every place of business has a sign as an element of its exterior, a fact so obvious some would say it hardly bears mentioning. Yet even a casual survey of retail signage reveals that while all businesses have signs, many of these signs are unattractive and/or ineffective.
This is all the more surprising when one realizes that the sign is often the first physical element of the business seen by potential customers and as such, forms part of the very important first impression. It makes a statement about the business it represents and when put in proper perspective, is a vital element of the business it serves. It is an element which should not be treated as an afterthought but should be planned, designed and constructed very carefully.
Briefly stated, the purpose of signage is to influence people. Aside from being noticed and simply informing a potential client that “they have arrived at the place they were seeking”, a good sign should motivate people to come to the advertised premises and/or want to purchase the goods or services being offered. It is, in fact, a silent salesman, working 24 hours a day (without holidays, never late, never sick and never asking for a raise).
How then can you, obtain a sign which will maximize your investment in terms of aesthetic and advertising appeal? First, by choosing a sign company, which instills you with confidence and then by allowing that company the time, adequate resources and opportunity to do a good job. Your architect or designer can aid your selection by suggesting companies they’ve worked with. Or you may begin the selection process by examining existing signs that you admire, (most will have a discreet label noting the manufacturer).
Once you’ve made initial inquiries and selected a few potential sign companies, you may visit their plants. Are they organized, neat and clean? Do they have much work in process? Is the work done on the premises or is it sub-contracted out? Even a casual inspection will give you insight into their approach to business, their reliability and the quality of their products. Once you’ve selected a company you feel comfortable with, a good rule to follow is “hire good people and take their advice.”
For a fee, the company will provide design consultation and sketches. It’s important to note that unlike architects, doctors and lawyers, many sign companies do not charge for these services but – beware of the freebies. Somebody pays for the artists’ and designers’ time and that somebody, in the end, is always the client. Besides, if a company really and truly gives away ideas for nothing, how good could those ideas be? So, having established a design fee, now begins the process of determining the type of sign that best suits your needs of business. Factors that should be included in the discussions are:
Type of Business – is it an exclusive “carriage trade” business or a low-end bargain store? Modern or traditional in style of operations? Is it a business that caters to children, teens, or adults? Male or female? Is the business open during evening hours? All these factors will aid in the election of letter styles, and even type of signage to be used.
Landlord Criteria – often the landlord will have established signage criteria for tenants and these may, in some cases, severely restrict what type of signage may be used. Check first and avoid surprises.
Local Government Signage Regulations – most cities and town have bylaws which govern signage. Even a casual inquiry of the local authorities will reveal the style, number and size of the allowable signage. A reliable sign company will know the relevant codes.
Realistic Budgeting – you can’t buy BMW’s at Ford prices. Tell the sign company what you can afford up front. It’ll save everyone loads of time.
Based on these discussions, the sign company should then examine the plans or survey the site to assess the natural features which must be taken into account from both an aesthetic and structural point of view if the sign is not to look like an after-thought.
The results of these discussions and research should produce a proposal that will result in signage that compliments the premises, makes a statement about your business, and helps you win new customers and influence those you already have.
We live in an age of visual information – constantly bombarded with an astonishing amount of informative material designed to advise, entice and direct us.
Signage plays a very important role in this transfer of information, especially in the world of business.
A stroll along any city street or through any shopping mall reveals that virtually every place of business has a sign as an element of its exterior, a fact so obvious some would say it hardly bears mentioning. Yet even a casual survey of retail signage reveals that while all businesses have signs, many of these signs are unattractive and/or ineffective.
This is all the more surprising when one realizes that the sign is often the first physical element of the business seen by potential customers and as such, forms part of the very important first impression. It makes a statement about the business it represents and when put in proper perspective, is a vital element of the business it serves. It is an element which should not be treated as an afterthought but should be planned, designed and constructed very carefully.
Briefly stated, the purpose of signage is to influence people. Aside from being noticed and simply informing a potential client that “they have arrived at the place they were seeking”, a good sign should motivate people to come to the advertised premises and/or want to purchase the goods or services being offered. It is, in fact, a silent salesman, working 24 hours a day (without holidays, never late, never sick and never asking for a raise).
How then can you, obtain a sign which will maximize your investment in terms of aesthetic and advertising appeal? First, by choosing a sign company, which instills you with confidence and then by allowing that company the time, adequate resources and opportunity to do a good job. Your architect or designer can aid your selection by suggesting companies they’ve worked with. Or you may begin the selection process by examining existing signs that you admire, (most will have a discreet label noting the manufacturer).
Once you’ve made initial inquiries and selected a few potential sign companies, you may visit their plants. Are they organized, neat and clean? Do they have much work in process? Is the work done on the premises or is it sub-contracted out? Even a casual inspection will give you insight into their approach to business, their reliability and the quality of their products. Once you’ve selected a company you feel comfortable with, a good rule to follow is “hire good people and take their advice.”
For a fee, the company will provide design consultation and sketches. It’s important to note that unlike architects, doctors and lawyers, many sign companies do not charge for these services but – beware of the freebies. Somebody pays for the artists’ and designers’ time and that somebody, in the end, is always the client. Besides, if a company really and truly gives away ideas for nothing, how good could those ideas be? So, having established a design fee, now begins the process of determining the type of sign that best suits your needs of business. Factors that should be included in the discussions are:
Type of Business – is it an exclusive “carriage trade” business or a low-end bargain store? Modern or traditional in style of operations? Is it a business that caters to children, teens, or adults? Male or female? Is the business open during evening hours? All these factors will aid in the election of letter styles, and even type of signage to be used.
Landlord Criteria – often the landlord will have established signage criteria for tenants and these may, in some cases, severely restrict what type of signage may be used. Check first and avoid surprises.
Local Government Signage Regulations – most cities and town have bylaws which govern signage. Even a casual inquiry of the local authorities will reveal the style, number and size of the allowable signage. A reliable sign company will know the relevant codes.
Realistic Budgeting – you can’t buy BMW’s at Ford prices. Tell the sign company what you can afford up front. It’ll save everyone loads of time.
Based on these discussions, the sign company should then examine the plans or survey the site to assess the natural features which must be taken into account from both an aesthetic and structural point of view if the sign is not to look like an after-thought.
The results of these discussions and research should produce a proposal that will result in signage that compliments the premises, makes a statement about your business, and helps you win new customers and influence those you already have.
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