Andrew Bailey is moving to New York this summer. The current president of Proximity Canada has been named chairman of Proximity North America to help develop the agency network’s presence south of the border.
“There’s a very strong base of operations here in Toronto, the largest agency in the [Proximity] network… We’ll be looking to extend that footprint into the U.S. market,” said Bailey.
Proximity offices in Minneapolis, Chicago and Cincinnati already have “great traction” in the U.S., he said. The focus moving forward will be to “drive a similar growth curve in the New York market,” said Bailey.
“I’m still very much going to be involved in the success and making sure Toronto sustains momentum. As much as my day-to-day location may be different, I’ll still be spending a lot of time in Toronto.”
Bailey joined Proximity Canada in 2005 as vice-president of interactive and was appointed president in 2007, the same year Marketing named Bailey to its “Ones to Watch” list of young up-and-comers under 30.
Prior to joining the agency, Bailey built his career at shops both in Canada and the U.K. He expanded FCB Interactive to 35 people from eight in less than two years and tripled its revenue and profits in 2005.
Dave Lafond, former VP and managing partner at Publicis Modem, will replace Bailey in the Toronto office towards the end of May.
“There’s been a commitment to expand the Proximity network across North America going into 2011, and that was an import strategic opportunity for us… With the advent of Dave Lafond joining us, it provided a perfect window of opportunity to activate the plan,” said Gerry Frascione, president and CEO of BBDO North America.
“Andrew introduced me to David about a month ago and I got very excited about his entrepreneurial spirit and his leadership skills. I feel that even working together with Andrew, they’re going to make a great team,” said Frascione on the decision to hire Lafond.
Lafond has over 12 years of integrated marketing communications experience working on clients across the telecommunications, retail, consumer products, automotive and financial sectors.
