Mike Fenton is stepping down as president and CEO of the National Advertising Benevolent Society of Canada (NABS) after almost nine years with the organization. His final day is Dec. 31.
Fenton, 52, said his departure is the result of both an urge “to look for something new,” and a restructuring of NABS undertaken in the past year. “It just seemed like the right time from an organizational standpoint, looking forward long-term, to say what was the best structure for NABS and what was the best opportunity for me,” he said. “In discussions with the board we just said ‘This is the right time.'”
Mark Spencer, chair of the NABS board of directors, said the organization embarked upon a review of its operating structure early this year, resulting in the identification of four key business pillars: raising funds; allocating funds and services; raising the brand profile; and managing the business office.
The organization appointed Phil Goodwin as its director of sales in April and last month hired Louise Berube as its director of allocations. The remaining two roles will be handled by Fenton’s successor, with the newly created title of executive director.
According to Spencer, NABS has formed a four-person committee to search for Fenton’s successor, and has also hired recruitment firm Mandrake Management Consultants to conduct the search.
Fenton has played a key role in the organization’s development since his arrival in 2002, said Spencer. “That’s a good tenure for a leadership role and during that time he’s been very passionate about the organization… He literally has become the face of NABS in our industry.”
Fenton not only helped shift the industry perception of NABS from that of a crisis management service to a career resource capable of providing everything from personal to financial and career counseling, said Spencer, but also oversaw the development of the NABS Ambassadors program–launched four years ago with the intention of raising awareness of the organization within the 25-35 age group.
Most importantly, he said, Fenton spearheaded the organization’s expansion from Ontario and B.C. into both Alberta with the creation of NABS West and into Quebec with the 2005 creation of its BEC chapter.
Fenton said he’s proud of what he achieved with NABS, but noted that it was accomplished in tandem with not only a full-time staff, but its 26-member board and volunteer base. “I think NABS is in a completely different place than when I started,” he said. “That’s not just down to me: that’s the contributions of a ton of people at the volunteer level and on staff.
“We moved the needle significantly,” he added. “My goal when I started was [for NABS] to be the hub of what the industry is all about… and I think we truly are one of those key hubs that the industry relies on. I think we’re much more valuable and relevant than we ever were.”
Fenton noted that NABS provided assistance to 400 individual clients last year, and has never turned away anyone that has sought its assistance. “I don’t know of any charities that have been able to say that,” he said. “Despite the fact that the market has changed… we rose to the occasion and helped everyone that came to us.”
Fenton said he would “first and foremost” seek future employment in the marketing and communications industry, but said that he would also be interested in opportunities within the not-for-profit sector.
