John Clinton, formerly senior vice-president of digital solutions and new media at Transcontinental Media, has been appointed chief executive of public relations firm Edelman Canada.
His mandate, which he assumes on his official start-date of Aug. 17, is to grow the independent agency’s operations in this country.
Clinton will be based out of Toronto and report to Gail Becker, chair of the agency’s Latin American and Canadian operations.
The appointment marks a return to the agency side of the business for Clinton, who was president and CEO of Grey Canada until 2008 when he left to join Transcontinental Media. Clinton left Transcontinental last fall.
Speaking via telephone from London, Clinton told Marketing that the PR function has evolved from an afterthought into a key communications tool for clients. “Clients are not necessarily looking for ads, they’re not necessarily looking for PR content and they’re not necessarily looking for digital,” he said. “What they’re looking for is ways to solve their business problems, and they’re looking for anybody that can give them those answers.”
Clinton noted that Edelman’s Canadian operations are comprised of a “very strong” office in Vancouver, a Toronto office boasting an “exceptionally well-developed” consumer practice, and a “rapidly-growing” office in Montreal.
“[Edelman has] got some really strong pieces to the puzzle,” said Clinton. “It’s got critical mass, a lot of expertise and it plays in all of the core practice areas. I think it will be a fascinating company to work with, and I really look forward to the opportunity to lead it.”
Edelman president and CEO Richard Edelman said that there is a continued convergence of the PR, advertising and digital businesses, and noted in a release that the company is “breaking the mold” with the appointment of Clinton. “[He] will help expand our remit among marketing and communication offers,” said Edelman.
Clinton arrives with Edelman in the midst of a growth spurt. The company grew 17% in 2010 and now has 160 employees representing brands including RIM, Labatt, Starbucks, Kraft, Unilever and Pfizer.
Clinton has spent the bulk of his career on the agency side, including a 20-year stint with J. Walter Thompson from 1979-99 where he last served in the dual role of chairman of Canadian operations and worldwide director for the agency’s Kellogg’s business in New York.
He held several positions with the agency during his career, including VP and general manager of its Chicago office and president and CEO of its Canadian operation, as well as serving on the agency’s worldwide board of directors.
He said he is looking forward to working in a new marketing discipline. “To be able to have a chance to work in public engagement is an incredible opportunity for me,” said Clinton. “I’ve worked with most of the clients before, you’re really dealing in a very creative space and I’ve managed five or six creative agencies before, so it’s similar and yet it’s different – and it’s in an area that’s rapidly evolving. To me it’s the best of all worlds.”
