Bison Digital

How We Got Here: The Bison Digital Origin Story

By Jon Toney on Jun 26, 2025
Jon Toney{/journal_authors:bio_pic} Image

Before Bison Digital became a name, it was just a shared frustration and a big idea: that branding and digital could (and should) be done differently. We saw brands playing it safe, agencies stuck in routines, and creative potential trapped behind tired processes.

 Image

We wanted more. Way more.

Bison Digital wasn't born from a neatly mapped-out business plan; it emerged from gritty conversations and a burning desire to challenge the status quo. After years of working on brands separately—sometimes collaborating, often commiserating—we realized we were aligned on one key point: great brands don't follow trends, they start them. They don't blend in, they stand out.

 Image

The connection started long before Bison had a name.

I met Dusty while working at Intouch Solutions—probably during one of our legendary Friday happy hours. Back then, the unspoken rule was that whoever stuck around longest got to claim the leftover keg beer. Through laughs, drinks, and a bit of good-natured negotiation, our friendship took root. Shortly after, we collaborated on our first major project together. Dusty’s exceptional talent for visual and conceptual storytelling quickly became clear—he consistently elevated every piece of work.

My wife and I met Megan shortly after we moved to Lawrence in 2020, through mutual friends at the iconic Louise's West. Megan's sharp wit, deep empathy, and innate marketing instincts immediately stood out—it was clear she was a strategic marketer with both heart and soul.

 Image

So we jumped, without parachutes, but with plenty of experience—and one hell of a team.

We combined our backgrounds in brand strategy, design, marketing, digital storytelling, and development into something new—something agile, fierce, and uncompromising. A team that doesn't just produce creative work, but fuels growth, sparks conversations, and builds legendary brands.

We called it Bison Digital, inspired by an animal that's bold, resilient, and built for tough terrain—just like us.

Today, we’re off and running, partnering with businesses who are ready to own their edge and make waves. We're not here to be another agency; we're here to redefine what's possible when strategy, creativity, and digital expertise collide.

Stick around. Things are just getting interesting.

{journal_authors}Jon Toney{/journal_authors:bio_pic}{/journal_authors Jon Toney Founder + Creative Director

Jon is a brand builder with 25+ years of turning ideas into bold, meaningful brands. Equal parts strategist and designer, he’s helped everyone from BBQ joints to tech giants stand out with clarity, purpose, and a little attitude.

Let’s build something worth talking about.

We are committed to protecting your privacy. We will never collect information about you without your explicit consent.