Bamboo Shoots was founded in 2008 by Bob Crowe and Wally Start, as a brand name for their high-end TV commercials. They were looking for something fun, creative, and memorable—something that stood out in the world of video production.

The name was born during an evening spent with Ken Adolph, owner of Media Group, a well-established video production and post company based in Saskatoon. As the trio shared stories and brainstormed ideas, Ken jokingly suggested “The Big Bamboo,” referencing a Tim Dorsey novel about a character obsessed with Hollywood and movies. The phrase had a catchy ring to it. Playing around with the idea, Bob proposed shortening it to “Bamboo Shoots”—a clever nod to both the plant and the shooting side of production. The name stuck.

Initially, Bamboo Shoots operated as the commercial division of their business. But in 2010, following Ken’s passing, his wife Dianne approached Bob and Wally with an opportunity to purchase Media Group. Ken had built the company since 1985 into a respected and successful operation, most notably securing the SaskTel Max contract for community programming. Taking over that legacy was both an honour and a natural next step.

After acquiring Media Group, the new owners rebranded the entire company as Bamboo Shoots. The identity truly came to life when a young graphic designer cleverly transformed the “OO” in “Bamboo” into panda eyes. The visual sparked immediate excitement. A panda suit soon followed, and the brand began evolving with even more creativity—clever, bold, and always fresh.

When combining Ken’s foundational years with the era following the Bamboo Shoots rebrand, the company now boasts a 40-year legacy—a remarkable achievement in an ever-changing industry. This longevity is a testament to the passion and talent of the Bamboo Shoots team—writers, directors, DOPs, camera operators, and editors—who share a deep commitment to storytelling, beautifully told.