A look back at the most-read agency stories of the past 12 months
Sid Lee vs. The World
from Jan. 10, 2012
Agency presidents are a competitive bunch. This comes through in off-the-record conversations where even then they are reluctant to praise the work of rival agencies and quick to point out flaws in campaigns or how they did the same thing first—only better. Except when they discuss Sid Lee.
If there was an industry stat that tracked the compliments of agency presidents, Sid Lee would lead the league. It’s not overly effusive or glowing—let’s not get carried away—but simple concessions that they’d like to see their agency be more like Sid Lee. And who can blame them? [Full story]
CP+B Toronto closes, Union takes its place
from Oct. 31, 2012
CP+B Toronto is gone. The agency brand has left the Canadian market, leaving in its place Union, a new agency in MDC Partners’ stable.
Fully owned by MDC (the holding company that also encompasses CP+B), Union will be led in equal partnership by executive creative director Lance Martin (former ECD at Taxi 2), client service lead Dave Carey (former SVP client services at Lowe Roche) and agency president and strategic planning lead Subtej Nijjar (former EVP/president of CP+B Canada). Andy Macaulay will continue on as chairman of the agency. [Full story]
DDB lays off (and hires) in digital shift
from Jan. 19, 2012
DDB Canada has laid off 16 employees.
Dave Leonard, DDB president and COO, said the layoffs are due to changing client needs. He said no accounts have been lost.
The Vancouver office was the hardest hit, losing 10 positions and leaving the agency with 115 staffers. Toronto lost six employees and now has a total of 126 positions. There were no layoffs in Edmonton.
The lost positions are all junior- to mid-level and in traditional advertising positions such as production and account management, said Leonard.[Full story]
Anomaly Toronto drives off with Mini account
from July 4, 2012
Anomaly Toronto, which only opened its doors in April and has yet to hire a creative director, was awarded the Mini Canada business after a formal review process that got underway as the agency was getting ready to launch.
Franke Rodriguez, who moved from New York earlier this year to lead the agency’s first Canadian office, told Marketing that conversations with Mini began back in March.
Taxi held the account for 10 years, regularly winning awards for its work. Taxi was invited to participate in the review, but declined, Mini Canada director Adam Shaver told Marketing.[Full Story]
Franke Rodriguez to lead Anomaly Toronto
from April 16, 2012
Anomaly is open for business in Canada, two months after it made public its plans to create a Toronto office.
Franke Rodriguez arrives today to assume the presidency of Anomaly Toronto, which as of this morning has an office staffed with approximately 10 employees.
Most recently global business director at the company’s New York office and a member of its management board, Rodriguez has served multiple roles during his five year tenure at the agency, including client service, new business and IP development. [Full story]
Don’t forget to check out our 2012 Agencies of the Year shortlist
