Proximity Canada has hired two leads, tasked with strengthening the agency’s user experience (UX) and strategy departments as the shop increases its focus on data, insights and intelligence.
Joe Szabo (above, far right) joins the Toronto-based-shop’s creative team as vice-president of user experience. During his 14-year career, Szabo has held positions at advertising agencies, CRM shops and software firms. Szabo will report to Mike Kasprow, who joined the shop as executive creative director from Union earlier this month.
“Putting UX inside our creative group is a new move, but one which puts UX in the middle of strategy, creative and technology,” said Adrian Capobianco, president of Proximity Canada, in a statement. “Joe is a great creative thinker who can come up with insightful ideas that thrive in a complex communications world.
Paul Hanlon (above, far left) returns to Proximity (where he previously served as brand activation strategist) as director of digital strategy and content. Hanlon, who is returning to Canada after a stint in the U.S., has more than seven years experience in digital and social communications planning. Hanlon will report to Rosie Gentile, vice-president, strategy and insights.
“Paul Hanlon will help lead digital, social and content strategies leveraging our proprietary tools such as Content Darwinism,” said Capobianco. “And having previously worked as a brand activation strategist for Proximity, he is familiar with our goal to make brands more valuable to people and people more valuable to brands.”
Szabo and Hanlon are the latest hires to join the shop under the leadership of Capobianco, who left Cundari to head up Proximity in February.
