TORONTO: Sarah Thompson and Mandi Davis, former colleagues at National Public Relations, have launched their own agency, believing clients today are looking for alternatives to big agencies.

Their firm, CoeurIdeas, will offer a range of services, including social media outreach, media relations, and branded events. Thompson was most recently account director at boutique firm Punch Communications, and Davis was an associate editor at Lifestyle Ontario and Lifestyle Maritimes. The two had met at National Public Relations several years ago, ...