The WSI Story of Unlocking a World of Possibility

We’ve been digital marketing leaders for a long time (over 25 years, actually). And in a post-pandemic world where the digital space continues to expand, and more businesses need help unlocking the possibilities of their new marketing reality, we plan to continue our leading ways well into the future. This is our story—and we believe it could become a part of your story too.

Who We Are

WSI was founded in 1995, and we began franchising our proven digital marketing system just a short time later. We operate in a perpetually evolving industry, so we’ve gone through various changes over the years. When we first started, WSI focused on website design and development. Now, over 25 years later, we help businesses and large global brands unlock new possibilities for their businesses via digital marketing. As WSI has matured into a global brand, we’ve fostered powerful partnerships in the industry, which in turn have strengthened our uniquely collaborative network.

We’re a purpose-driven brand; at our core, we're about helping others. It’s our mission to leave those we interact with better off than before. And although we are a digital company offering digital services, one of the ways we’re able to provide “unlocks” for the people and brands we work with is to focus on the human elements at the core of all our client and partner relationships.

Where We've Been

During the course of over 25 years, WSI has worked with more than 150K different clients. And we’ve unlocked new possibilities for the vast majority of them. These aren’t just small mom-and-pop shops we’re talking about, either—the annual revenue of most of WSI’s long-term clients ranges from $1-$5 million.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. After adding 11 more awards in 2024, WSI has won a whopping 170+ prestigious WMA WebAwards since first entering the competition in 2007. The best part is that WSI’s trophy case belongs to the entire network, so if you join us, it immediately becomes part of your story, too.

Where We're Going

The WSI brand is a full-service digital marketing company that offers a consultant-led approach to providing strategic advice on all areas of marketing. We’re a thought leader in our space, and after publishing three books and conducting numerous webinars and trainings, we’d like to think we’ve earned our position as digital marketing experts.

Where we’re going is hard to predict since this industry we love so much evolves constantly. One thing is for sure, though: we’ll be adapting, growing, and adding to our story with our uniquely collaborative global network of digital marketing consultants, all of us striving to leave those we encounter better off than we found them.

Let Us Brag A Little Big

Here are just a few of the things we’ve accomplished in over 25 years of running the world’s top digital marketing franchise. We’re sure there’s nobody else around who can top these milestones!

Published three volumes of our top-rated and Amazon best-selling book, "Digital Minds."

170+

Won over 145 Web Marketing Association Awards for industry-leading website projects.

150

Managed more than $150 million in digital ad spending over the last 5 years.

Recognized as the Top Agency by the WMA for web design in both 2019 and 2020.

Our Leadership

Our management team is comprised of business-savvy individuals who have been with WSI for a combined total of 125 years! They are a dedicated bunch who live and breathe each of WSI's culture and core values. But don't let their professional pictures below fool you — they all know how to hang with the best of them!

Mark Dobson

Co-Founder

Mark Dobson has been with WSI since our inception in 1995. He has an extensive background in business development in several industries dating back to the early seventies. His knowledge of the development of human potential and his understanding of behavioral patterns has been instrumental in developing the WSI System over the course of the years.

Valerie Brown-Dufour

President

As President, Valerie is responsible for providing support and education to the WSI global franchise system. She is also charged with managing the innovation of the WSI business model as a whole. Overall, Valerie works to ensure WSI Consultants are provided with the tools, systems, and support they need to remain top amongst their competitors.

Valerie first joined WSI in 1999 and has served in a number of roles. Prior to this, she ran her own business and worked overseas in a number of countries. Valerie holds a master's degree from the University of Toronto.

Daniel Lattanzio

VP Franchise Development

Daniel is a passionate team leader who has been with WSI since 1996. Having come from a long background in franchising, Daniel started with WSI in the early days to help build and grow WSI's franchise model, both locally and globally. After being involved in multiple areas of the digital marketing business, he found his home as Vice President of Franchise Development.

Over the last 12 years, Daniel has worked with his team to build the WSI Network of Consultants worldwide. He stands behind the successful, team-developed model of “Real People Do Real Things.”

Rimma Jaciw

VP Global Operational Performance

Since joining WSI in 2004, Rimma has been instrumental in the growth and development of the company through the various roles she has held, which include Customer Service and Support Manager, Director of Franchise Operations, Director of Compliance, and currently, Vice President of Global Operational Performance.

Prior to WSI, Rimma held executive positions in five countries, along with having started and operated three successful companies of her own. She oversees support, legal & compliance, billing & collections, and financial performance. She is an alumnus of the Certified Franchise Executives program and is the corporate liaison for the International and French Franchise Associations. She also sits on the Board of the Canadian Franchise Association.

Michael Monaghan

VP Field Operations

Michael Monaghan has had a long tenure within WSI holding several positions in the organization. From 1998 to 2012, he held the position of International Development Director, where he played a leadership role in the franchise development team. From 2012 to 2015, Michael held the title of Director of Master Franchise Operations, where he oversaw the WSI Master Franchise program.

In 2016 Michael was promoted to Vice President of Field Operations, where he now heads up the Franchise Business Coaching as well as leading the channel of WSI supplier partners.

Cheryl Baldwin

Marketing & Communications Director

Cheryl is the Director of Marketing & Communications at WSI and has been part of the WSI team since 2003. Over her 20 years with the company, Cheryl has helped WSI win more than 145 WebAwards, including the Top Agency award in 2019 & 2022 from the Web Marketing Association, and has spearheaded the publishing of WSI's three Digital Minds books.

When she's not busy implementing the latest marketing campaign for WSI, she can be found at a rink or ball diamond, cheering on her two sons.

Gennady Liakhter

Director of Business Innovations

Gennady joined WSI in 2015 and is currently the Director of Business Development and Innovation. During his tenure, he has provided strategic leadership on corporate initiatives related to business and product development. Some of these include the WSI Agency Accelerator Program, WSI Delivery Hub, and WSI Corporate Store.

Outside of WSI, Gennady spends his time traveling, cooking for friends and family, and is a lifelong Toronto sports fan.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

They say if you reach the bottom of a long page, reading all the information along the way, you must be interested. You’ve reached the bottom of this page, so why not find out if you’re the right fit to join us and write your part in the WSI Story?

Learn More About WSI

Interested in joining the WSI family?

We're a Unique Franchise Network

Got More Questions About The WSI Franchise?