Who is behind Yellow Brick Road?

Mary Cruz is the founder and operator of Yellow Brick Road (YBR). Mary has worked in marketing for over 20 years in Australia, the UK, the Netherlands and currently in Canada. She has a breadth of experience across a wide ranges of industries - from consumer goods like food & beverage and licensing, to SaaS to telecommunications - she has always been able to adapt and quickly learn the needs of her clients and former employers to become a strong team player and leader. More importantly, she has been able to integrate her years of experience into all her current projects.

On the subject of AI - it’s here to stay. YBR is committed to utilizing it responsibly but also stands behind creative professionals whose work should be protected from getting ripped off. Heart is at the core of YBR. There is a place for AI but it cannot wholly substitute what humans bring to the table when it comes to creativity. When it comes to collaboration YBR prefers humans.

Professional Background

  • Bachelor of Business, Marketing

  • Master of Arts, Media and Communications (Journalism)

  • 15+ years of progressive experience in marketing leadership as an independent marketing consultant contracted with agencies and private companies, as well as in-house Director-level employee

  • Proven success in leading global campaigns, product launches, and brand strategy.

  • Experience organizing trade shows, events, and customer engagement programs.

  • Strong knowledge of digital marketing (SEO, SEM, CRM, email, social media) and analytics tools.

  • Reliable and effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

  • Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

  • Commercial acumen and the ability to tie marketing activity to business growth.

  • Creative and strategic thinker with attention to detail and strong project management skills.

*References and testimonials from past clients and employers are available upon request.

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Creative Projects

The concept behind Yellow Brick Road is about taking a leap of faith and going on an adventure. Pursuing creative ventures for the sheer desire to see where it takes you, without expectation, is reason enough to do it. These are only two examples of passion projects that continue to be nurtured alongside YBR.

  • WeeeZine is a picture-book style zine for kids launched in Toronto in 2025. It is a creative collaboration between Mary and a network of some talented up and coming kidlit illustrators and a bit of fun to be injected in the day-to-day. Learn more about the project here.

  • A Melbourne-based design label created by Mary and her mother Lollie in 2012, l’call (pronounced ‘le-coll’) is a small collection of handcrafted kangaroo leather accessories stocked by select retailers in the city. Learn more about l’call here.

Reach Out

Interested in working together? Please share some details about your project, requirements or gaps you are looking to fill in your marketing efforts and YBR will get back to you as soon as possible.