About
DAYO Media & Communications (DM&C) is an award-winning Toronto-based team of media and communications experts with partnerships in New York and Barbados.
Since 1999, DM&C has steered the development of multimedia and publicity campaigns, communications strategies, television shows and media literacy workshops for a broad range of organizations in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
By connecting at the intersection of journalism and communications, we collaborate with you to clarify your story, craft it and create ways to get it noticed! We offer a full suite of services including writing, publicity support, broadcast/podcast services, media literacy and social media strategy.
DM&C is committed to causes that challenge us to talk, think and act. Our clients span a variety of industries including arts and culture, education, and entertainment.
Our lead
DM&C Founder and Managing Director Dayo Kefentse is an established communications director, manager, broadcaster, writer and journalist based out of Toronto, Canada. For over 20 years, she has had a hand at either reporting on stories, hosting events, or consulting and collaborating with organizations.
Listeners across Toronto first met Dayo as a journalist on CBC’s ‘Metro Morning’ and ‘Here and Now’ radio programs. She has also contributed to CBC News, Global News, CityNews Toronto, Rogers Television’s ‘Toronto Living,’ and the Toronto Star.
Rumoured to have been born with a microphone in her hand, Dayo first started to flex her instinct for storytelling by conducting interviews with her siblings and cousins. At 17, she hand-wrote a letter to the editor of the Toronto Star. When that letter was published, Dayo knew she was destined for a career in media and communications. Since then, she has told hundreds of stories through magazines, television shows, radio programs and podcasts.
“A Nigerian term meaning ‘joy returns,’ Dayo is not only my name, it’s what I bring to my work and life. As a communicator, broadcaster and public affairs specialist who is passionate about telling stories, creating media and connecting with others, I’m happiest when helping people sift through their story and making it shine.”
– Dayo Kefentse
Dayo gained a wealth of experience as a communications leader with a variety of organizations over the past 20 years. At Ryerson University she was the Director of Communications for the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion which, during her tenure, hosted Canada’s first ever White Privilege Conference. She has also managed media and communications for the Toronto 2015 Pan American / Parapan American Games (Canada’s largest-ever multi-sport event) and the University of Windsor.
A scholar in her own right, Dayo is in the process of completing a Master of Arts in Communication and Culture, and has also instructed specialized curricula for students at Centennial College and Ryerson University.
A long-time advocate for education and inclusion, Dayo has lent her skills to the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) through the development of media literacy workshops, and to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) through communications and outreach support for the Africentric Alternative School. Dayo currently serves as a Board Director with Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke. Past community service includes volunteering as a board member with the Obsidian Theatre Company, Canada’s leading culturally-specific theatre group and with many other deserving organizations.
Our collaborator: CQ Business Consulting Inc.
Chantelle Quow
In 2020, DM&C joined together with CQBC Inc. to build learning opportunities for young and emerging media, communications, design, and business professionals. Chantelle Quow, MBA, is CQBC Inc.’s President and CEO. She is an experienced business strategist with a passion for research and entrepreneurship in Canada. Dayo and Chantelle have created a unique collaboration that has caught media attention and has also been lauded by colleagues as a successful model to follow.
Our team
DM&C partners with a team of collaborators who bring specialized expertise to their roles as writers, designers, strategists and administrators. Working behind the scenes, these professionals develop a powerhouse of media and communications materials and advice for our clients.
Khalia Badawi
Khalia Badawi is our summer and fall 2023 intern. She is pursuing her degree in Graphic Communications Management from Toronto Metropolitan University. Khalia enjoys detail and has a keen eye for creating visually appealing digital content. Khalia is gaining valuable experience in creating brand guidelines and assets, developing social media content for various platforms, and bringing journalistic pieces to life through interactive web pages.
Curtis Hannam
Curtis Hannam, our Junior Public Relations Assistant, is an emerging media and public relations professional with experience in video editing, video production, copywriting, and research. He contributes to DM&C’s internal files, organizational audits and media campaigns. Curtis has earned his Media Foundations certificate and Public Relations Advanced Diploma from Humber College.
Natassia Morris
Natassia Morris is a marketing and administrative professional who is collaborating with DAYO Media & Communications. With a track record in covering stories about the arts, Natassia also enjoys tackling wider social issues such as education, anti-violence, and mental wellness, particularly within Black communities.
Catherine Nguyen-Pham
Catherine Nguyen-Pham is a savvy communicator who excels at distilling complex concepts into data and easy-to-understand solutions. She provides essential and informed strategic administrative support for projects and campaigns.
Adam Power
Adam is a talented digital designer and strategist with experience in creating engaging products for private and public sector clients. As DM&C’s Lead Digital Designer, his passion for creating fresh and original content is seen on DM&C’s website, as well as digital products for clients. Adam has a post-graduate certificate in Interactive Media Management from Centennial College. He also has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilfrid Laurier University
Aryana Singh
Aryana Singh is a graduate of University of Guelph-Humber’s Media and Communications Studies program. She specializes in digital communications and is DM&C’s Account Coordinator. Aryana assists the team in communicating with clients and with content creation for marketing materials, copywriting, graphic design, research and organization audits.
Our philosophy
Since its inception, DM&C has maintained a philosophy to “lift as we climb.” We do better when we work together, and that includes embracing the talents of young professionals to lean on and learn from our experience, and to bring fresh insight and ideas to our work.
Our past interns and volunteers have landed fantastic opportunities in a variety of fields and we’re proud to have played a part in their success. Chosen for their tenacity and passion for the business, these young professionals are key assets to DM&C.