MacLaren McCann has named Matt Lewis as managing director of MacLaren Momentum, the agency’s promotional, experiential and event marketing division that has employees in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary.
Lewis, formerly managing director at GMR, starts on Jan. 25.
That will include work for the agency’s current clients including General Motors, Mondelez, William Grant & Sons, MasterCard and Wendy’s.
“In today’s changing media landscape, brand experience is more relevant than ever, and it is shaping the way that marketers do business,” stated McLaren McCann chief executive officer David Leonard.
“Matt has the vision and experience to elevate Momentum to deliver new and exciting integrated brand experiences for our current roster of clients, while continuing to grow and evolve the business.”
Momentum chairman and CEO Chris Weil added that what a brand does today “is more important than what it says” and that creating experiences is a major growth area for brands, and in turn agencies.
“Matt is the perfect choice to make that opportunity a reality for the Canada market and to help elevate the Momentum family as we continue to forge stronger growth opportunities between all of our global offices,” Weil stated.
Lewis has more than 12 years of experience working with brands such as SAB Miller, Telus, Nike, Ferrari, RBC and Wrigley.
“It’s an honour to be joining a network with creative, strategic and cultural strength that is second-to-none in the Canadian Industry,” Lewis stated.
Lewis is the latest in a string of new hires at MacLaren McCann Canada since Leonard joined the agency in April 2015.
That includes the hiring of Mary Chambers in the role of chief strategy officer at the agency, Darren Clarke in the role of creative creative officer, as well as creative directors Scott Johnson and Chris Duffett, and media director Stefanie Kraupa.
The company also noted a handful of new business wins in recent months including Trillium Gift of Life Network, Niagara Tourism and PowerStream.
