A Pd-catalyzed alkylation of ortho C–H bonds in benzylamides possessing a bidentate-quinolinamide directing group with α-bromo ketones or nitrile is reported. α-Bromo aryl ketones, α-bromo alkyl ketone, and even α-bromo alkyl nitrile are competent reagents in this transformation, providing direct alkylated products with a pendant carbonyl or cyano group. Furthermore, direct alkylated products can be hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, providing a straightforward strategy for preparing high-value 3-arylisoquinoline derivatives.