With word spreading that Lorraine Hughes will leave OMD Canada this summer after nine years in charge, Marketing asked members of the media industry to offer their thoughts of the 35-year veteran’s career.
Janet Callaghan, a principal at consultancy firm Callaghan-Osborne and executive director of the Canadian Media Directors’ Council, said Hughes has a professional style that is distinct in the industry.
“She has been hugely successful, very progressive and has provided vision and leadership – without being a self-promoter,” Callaghan said.
“She is a go to person in our business to dispense advice or to get a professional opinion on a complex issue. She leaves big shoes to fill in the industry as well as at OMD.”
Sherry O’Neil, formerly managing director at OMD, admired the team that Hughes built at the media agency during her tenure. “She has done this with a commitment and dedication to the profession of media, and the belief that it truly can shape a marketer’s success.
“She has led tremendous growth for the agency with wins like McDonalds, Visa, Rogers to name just a few. Lorraine is a very talented woman who will succeed at whatever she takes on, I have learned a great deal under her leadership. I am sure she is ready for the next challenges life will bring her. Hopefully they entail a lot of fun and relaxation on a dock for now.”
Bruce Neve, president of Group M’s MEC Canada, recalled working with Hughes in the 1980s while at Scali McCabe Sloves. Amid memories of a faster business lifestyle with long lunches, “big hair” and a more work-hard-play-hard attitude, Neve remembers a key lesson Hughes taught him.
“Lorraine showed me that we were in the business of business – not the media business, to speak the client’s language, not media lingo,” he said, adding that Hughes is “opinionated, professional and a just a real, nice person to spend time around. She will be missed.”
Hughes is set to leave OMD in July.
