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Video production in Toronto: video creation for brands expanding into North America

Video Production
Table of content
  1. Introduction
  2. Why Toronto makes strategic sense for North American content
  3. How 90 Seconds powers Toronto video creation
  4. What brands are creating in Toronto
  5. How to start using Toronto as your North American video base
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Rubina
7 months ago・5 min read

When international brands plan their North American expansion, they almost always think New York first. Or Los Angeles. Sometimes Chicago. Toronto rarely enters the conversation as a video creation hub, which is a strategic blind spot.

Canada’s largest city is home to 6.5 million people in the greater metro area. It is the fourth-largest city in North America, the continent’s third-largest tech hub (after San Francisco and New York), and arguably the most multicultural city on the planet, with over 200 ethnic groups and more than 140 languages spoken. Toronto’s financial district is home to the headquarters of Canada’s five largest banks.

With 170+ monthly searches for “video production Toronto,” brands are looking for local capability. But the real story is not just about serving the Canadian market. Toronto offers a cost-effective, culturally diverse, and highly skilled production base that can serve both Canadian and US audiences.

Why Toronto makes strategic sense for North American content

Cost efficiency. Toronto production costs run 20% to 30% below New York and Los Angeles equivalents. The Canadian dollar has traded at a persistent discount to the US dollar, making Toronto even more attractive for US-headquartered brands. Federal and provincial tax credits add further savings.

Cultural and visual versatility. Toronto is one of the world’s most popular stand-in filming locations. Its architecture and streetscapes can double for New York, Chicago, or generic “American city” with minimal art direction.

Diversity on camera. For brands committed to representative marketing, Toronto’s demographic reality is a genuine asset. The city’s population reflects virtually every global market.

Time zone alignment. Toronto operates in Eastern Time, the same zone as New York and most major US business centres.

How 90 Seconds powers Toronto video creation

The 90 Seconds platform connects brands to a network of Toronto-based Creator Partners who bring broadcast, commercial, and digital production experience. A dedicated Concierge manages each project with the same 14-day average turnaround that the platform delivers globally.

For international brands entering North America, this model is particularly valuable. Instead of establishing relationships with separate agencies in Toronto, New York, and Chicago, a brand can use one platform to manage content creation across the continent.

The platform also simplifies the bilingual challenge. Canada’s federal bilingual requirements mean many brands need English and French versions of video content. Creator Partners in the Toronto network include French-speaking professionals experienced in producing bilingual deliverables.

What brands are creating in Toronto

Financial services content. Toronto’s Bay Street is Canada’s Wall Street. RBC, TD Bank, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC produce vast quantities of video: investor communications, product explainers, employee onboarding, and compliance training.

Technology and SaaS. Toronto’s tech corridor houses Shopify’s Toronto office, Wealthsimple, Clearco, and hundreds of startups producing product demos, customer stories, and recruitment videos.

Multicultural marketing. Brands targeting specific diaspora communities find Toronto invaluable. The city’s authentic multicultural fabric means brands can produce culturally resonant content with genuine representation.

Higher education. The University of Toronto, York University, and Toronto Metropolitan University drive demand for student recruitment videos targeting domestic and international audiences.

How to start using Toronto as your North American video base

Visit the 90 Seconds Toronto page to get started. A customer testimonial, employer brand video, or product explainer are all strong first projects. Benchmark your Toronto project costs against equivalent New York or Los Angeles projects. The savings are significant enough to fund additional content volume.

Build your North American video programme from Toronto. Visit the 90 Seconds Toronto page to start.

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