Environics Analytics has appointed advertising veteran NIGEL PLEASANTS to the newly created position of vice-president, strategic partnerships, effective immediately. In his new role, Pleasants will be responsible for developing new data supplier and distribution partnerships from the firm’s Toronto office.
MIKE SHARMA, former vice-president and general manager of Cossette’s Fjord Interactive agency, has opened his own digital shop, called Society. Sharma is currently the only Society employee, but he hopes to have 10 staff by the end of 2011.
ANDREW DOYLE, president and part owner of the Halifax-based agency Extreme Group, has left the advertising business. Doyle was with the agency for eights years, and helped the agency open a Toronto office in 2007.
Leo Burnett Canada president and CEO DAVID MOORE is leaving the agency effective March 1. Chief creative officer JUDY JOHN will become the CEO, while retaining her CCO title. DOM CARUSO, formerly CEO at BBDO Canada, has been hired as president and COO. He starts at Leo Burnett Feb. 1.
Apex Public Relations added two new members to its growing corporate and technology practices. MELISSA CABLE–CIBULA joins the firm’s corporate practice as an account director, working on the George Brown College, Coca-Cola, Women in Capital Markets, and BMO Bank of Montreal accounts. JULIE SMITHERS joins the technology practice as an account manager where she will work on clients such as Samsung Electronics Canada.
BRIAN GARDNER was appointed director of sales of 24/7 Real Media in Canada, where he’ll be responsible for overall growth of the company’s Canadian media business. Gardner was most recently at Yahoo Canada where he managed strategic partnerships with advertisers and agencies.
Zoom Media has promoted three of its own. After managing the Quebec City office for more than seven years, DIANE BELANGER was appointed to general manager for Quebec. DEAN LACHEUR is assuming the role of general manager of the Toronto and Western Canadian offices, and ERIC FORTIN becomes vice-president of operations and member services.
GCI Group promoted three team members within its consumer lifestyle practice group. BERNICE COUTO was promoted to the position of group manager, NICOLE MCKNIGHT to senior consultant and SHELLEY FREMONT to consultant.
