The Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA) has named Bev Hammond chair as it looks to execute what it describes as an "ambitious growth agenda."
ICA president and CEO Scott Knox says the goal is to seize on Canadian agencies' continued momentum on the global stage, which includes the country's first-ever top-five finish at the 2023 Cannes Lions, and strong performance in the Global Effie Index.
Hammond's arrival coincides with what Knox said is a watershed moment for the ICA and Canadian agencies.
Canada, he says, is currently "punching well above its weight" and Hammond will seek to continue that momentum through a mandate that includes building stronger relations with government and education institutes, and viable economic relationships with clients.
Knox said that Hammond's extensive experience within both the agency and government sectors makes her the perfect candidate to lead the ICA board. "There's nobody better within the agency sector to lead this chapter of the ICA," he said.
"As an agency owner, I’m inspired by the new ICA commitment to
positively shape the business environment for all agencies in Canada to thrive," said Hammond in a release. "There is, of course, a wide variety of agency types, structures, and sizes across our sector, but for all of our differences, there are more opportunities and challenges that we share, and I’m keen to get after these from an industry wide perspective, to support the growth of robust creative enterprises
across Canada.”
Ira Baptiste, who was named ICA chair in 2022 and steered the organization and its members through the post-pandemic recovery, will remain as vice-chair.
The organization has also added Cairns Oneil president Devon MacDonald to the board, with Knox saying that his time within GroupM, where he was CEO of Mindshare Canada, and also with a leading independent in Cairns Oneil, brings much-needed media expertise to the board.
"Part of the agenda moving forward is not only about creative agencies, but what's needed from media agencies," said Knox. "He can help us unpack the media narrative and what's needed to strengthen media agencies in Canada."
The rest of the board is rounded out by Julien Bissuel, managing director of Forsman & Bodenfors; Brett Channer, founder and CEO of Mass Minority; Knox; Andy Krupski, chair of The Hive; Lorri MacDonald, managing director at Diamond; Melody MacPherson, president at LPi Group; Greg Power, president and CEO, Weber Shandwick; Eve Rémillard Larose, CEO of TBWA\Group Canada; Ania Russocki, GM of Pigeon; Ryan Timms, president of McCann Canada; and Emma Toth, president of VML.
