The new work for I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter continues the Toronto agency’s push into the U.S.
NEWS
AI isn’t ‘killing’ jobs — it’s fuelling a ‘new-collar’ era, LinkedIn says
CMO Jessica Jensen breaks down LinkedIn’s newly released ‘2025 Labour Market Report: Building a Future of Work That Works.’
Niagara Falls Tourism lights up winter travel with animated campaign
The campaign by Zerotrillion delivered video completion and conversion rates well above travel industry benchmarks across Canada and the U.S.
Production veterans launch ‘Producer U’ to tackle talent crisis
“Without producers, nothing gets made, and yet producers have never been more invisible, misunderstood, or stretched thin,” said co-founder Cynthia Heyd.
Foreign media companies dominate Madison and Wall’s top 30 ad sellers
A 23% drop in TV advertising revenue at Corus is indicative of a troubling trend across Canadian media.
Alex Hesz joins WPP to co-lead new Strategy Architects Group
The group will focus on unifying capabilities—including technology, media, data and marketing—to deliver tailored solutions for WPP's top 200 clients.
Effie Canada names LG2’s Sophie-Annick Vallée and IKEA’s Jonelle Ricketts as co-chairs
“Their leadership comes at a time when effectiveness isn’t just a metric, it’s a business imperative,” said Scott Knox, Effie Canada executive director and CEO of the ICA.
Rodrigo Coelho named managing director of Sid Lee Sport Canada
With decades of global sponsorship experience, Coelho is set to drive Sid Lee Sport’s growth and brand partnerships in Canada.
Travel Alberta blurs the line between real and artificial with “Alberta Imagery (AI)”
The campaign uses AI-style visuals to make audiences question whether Alberta’s landscapes are real or rendered.
Globe and Mail selects VML for creative
The account shift follows a “comprehensive” review process. VML will launch a new brand platform in February.
Quebec Dairy Farmers take centre stage in heartfelt “The Future of Our Dairy Farms is Here” campaign
The short film highlights the human stories, sustainability and innovation behind the province’s 9,501 family-run dairy farms.
Planet Fitness uses Hockey Canada sponsorship to promote new year’s health goals
Campaign from Narrative XPR features Team Canada members Natalie Spooner, Emily Clark and Emma Maltais.
Toronto creative launches Playbook for the year ahead
Developed by Jody Orsborn Medina, this year’s Recess Playbook features more than 220 pages of hacks, inspiration and, yes, AI commentary.
Dentsu shares slump 11% as buyers walk away from sale of international unit
Dentsu says it has made no announcements on its international business, after reports that talks to sell the unit have collapsed.
X removes Grok undressing feature following backlash
UK managing director says X has a zero-tolerance approach to child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity.
CNIB partners with The Ten Spot on Braille Nails fundraising initiative
The month-long national fundraising initiative uses nail art to support braille literacy programs across Canada.
With Canadians worried about cost of living, McDonald’s lowers prices
The QSR will offer a $5 McValue Meal and a $1 McCafé through the rest of the year.
Nissan revives its sinister snowmen for Kicks campaign
A re-envisioning of its 2014 and 2017 spots, the campaign from TBWA features a Nissan vehicle sticking it to the snowmen playing havoc with other vehicles.
Inside the C-suite at CES with Omnicom, Stagwell, Publicis and WPP
From agentic AI product demos to client meetings, an inside look at how leaders from the major holding companies approached the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show.
Heinz redesigns the fry box for on-the-go dipping
Rethink serves up another viral brand idea, this time it is a patent-pending french fry carton with a built-in ketchup compartment.
Snapchat strengthens Canadian sales leadership, hiring industry veterans
Snapchat has expanded its Canadian sales team with executives from TikTok, Pinterest, WPP and Spin Master.
Campaign announces three industry heavyweights to lead 2026 awards program
OLG, Rethink and WPP execs to chair expanded program as early entry deadline hits Thursday.
Co-operators brings real advisors to the forefront in new national wealth campaign
The campaign puts real advisors at the centre, positioning investing as something Canadians don’t have to navigate alone.
HomeEquity Bank moves creative account to Lifelong Crush
The reverse mortgage specialists have enjoyed strong growth, but tapped LLC to “shape the next chapter” of the brand
Publicis Montréal names Alexandre Jourdain executive creative director
The former LG2 partner joins the agency following more than a decade leading some of Quebec’s most visible brand and cultural campaigns.
Globe introduces AI-led contextual ad tool
Working with technology partner Mobian, G&M aims to recover ad dollars lost to overly aggressive brand safety systems.
Quebec Milk Producers and LG2 win Bye Bye 2025
Viewers cast more than 123,000 votes in Quebec’s annual Super Bowl of Advertising, which was won by a spot featuring beloved feminist icon Janette Bertrand.
How CES has ‘reinvented’ itself for the marketing industry
Legacy brands including John Deere and Lego were able to capture the spotlight from AI’s biggest players at the tech convention this week.
BMO spreads holiday cheer in Bye Bye 2025
A comedic holiday sketch brings BMO’s help desk to life, helping Santa deliver gifts across Quebec.
Key design elements of The McMichael Canadian Art Collection’s rebrand
How Bruce Mau Design repositioned the McMichael Canadian Art Collection to honour its roots while inviting discovery and dialogue across eras, cultures and audiences.
Rogers commits $50 million to help kids cut back on screen time
The program gets an assist from athletes like the Blue Jays’ George Springer.
Havas introduces global LLM tool Ava, the ‘heart of Havas’
Set to roll out this spring, the global LLM unifies several AI models into one secure portal.
Dentsu Canada names Laura Maclean president of Carat
The appointment comes as part of the company’s effort to strengthen its media practice.
Sobeys returns to the Olympic Games with fourth Feed The Dream platform
The campaign expands across Empire’s portfolio as the grocer uses Milano Cortina 2026 to link food, national pride and support for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
TikTok named FIFA’s first “preferred platform” for World Cup
New deal will take fans “behind the curtain and closer to the action than ever before,” said FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström.
Mosaic launches as Bills’ Canadian AOR with wild posting stunt
The first campaign “hijacked” construction hoardings and “Post No Bills” signs around Toronto.
Havas was best-performing agency stock and WPP was worst in 2025
Publicis retained crown as biggest by valuation, ahead of enlarged Omnicom, during tough year for sector.
Omnicom introduces next-gen Omni at CES, bringing connected capabilities under one digital powerhouse roof
Following Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG, Omni is now also powered by assets originally under the latter.
Diamond chosen first overall to build Hockey Canada’s digital foundation
The agency’s digital, sponsorship and AI expertise could help the organization “modernize the overall user experience,” said CFO Stephen Brooks.
Tim Hortons joins Team Canada with its first Olympic and Paralympic partnership
The brand has signed multi-year agreements with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees that introduce a newly created sponsorship category.
How Decathlon makes a point with no returns
Campaign by Rethink reinforces Decathlon’s positioning as a brand that supports customer commitments to a healthy lifestyle.
Matt DiPaola returns to the agency world with BIMM
DiPaola has shown he understands how agencies grow “by building stronger, more enduring client relationships,” said CEO Mike Da Ponte.
Wealthsimple is ready for the future… whatever you think that is
The brand’s latest creative features a diverse cast contemplating everything from societal collapse to stripping in a cashless world.
Kraft thinks big for Hockeyville’s 20th anniversary
The Rethink campaign takes viewers on a cross-Canada tour of hockey communities.
7-Eleven taps Publicis Toronto as creative AOR
7-Eleven Canada chose Publicis to lead creative work aimed at connecting with a new generation of consumers
BHLA named agency of record for United Way Greater Toronto
The new partnership will see it lead creative work to clarify United Way Greater Toronto’s impact and messaging across the GTA.
Influencer marketing in 2026: scale, performance, and why brands can’t ignore creators
Influencer marketing spend climbed to $660 million in Canada in 2025.
Klick Health and Rethink finish strong on One Club year-end rankings
FCB (RIP) was an easy winner in the overall rankings, thanks to Spotify’s “Spreadbeats” campaign
Kraft Peanut Butter resurrects an old Quebec song for its Bye Bye debut
Created by LG2, “As-Tu Du Beurre De Pinotte” features a funny cultural nod to a 1980s novelty song.
I’m rushin’ it: Why AI-generated speed to market can spell trouble
The real risk of AI advertising isn’t imperfect craft, says Éric Blais in his first Free to Disagree column of 2026. It’s accelerated decision-making that strips away “thoughtful friction.”
Stagwell launches agentic operating system, The Machine
The Machine, powered by AI agents, brings disconnected workflows together into one unified system. Stagwell will be offering demos at CES.
WPP Open unveils AI Agent Hub to make 'agency expertise available to entire business'
Hub launches with four Super Agents: The Brand Analytics Agent, The Behavioural Science Agent, The Analogies Agent and Creative Brain
Farber urges Canadians to “break up” with debt
The campaign personifies debt as a toxic partner to challenge the normalization of minimum payments and push Canadians toward structured debt relief options.
That’s a wrap on 2025
We put the finishing touches on 2025 with a round-up of some of our most-read stories of the year.
Silent grime! Petro-Canada’s carolling ode to dirty cars
Holiday songs and filthy autos come together in a cheeky seasonal stunt.
Google uses Telus critters to push Pixel 10
The campaign by Google agency Cossette uses natural evolution as a metaphor for changing phones—enhanced by AI.
Politicized commerce was a warning. It’s now the operating reality
What began as a warning about politicized commerce now defines how brands operate, writes Éric Blais in his year-end Free to Disagree column.
TikTok divests US operations, CEO Chew says in memo
ByteDance has agreed to sell over 80% of TikTok’s US business in a deal designed to avoid a nationwide ban under the US divest-or-ban law.
Horizon Media Canada names Thiago da Silva SVP, Digital Innovation
The appointment strengthens the agency’s digital investment leadership, with a focus on programmatic, social, search and the expanded use of AI.
Broken Heart Love Affair and Lifelong Crush name 2025 Miles Philip Hammond Scholarship recipients
Two young creatives overcoming personal challenges will receive full-tuition support to pursue their education at Humber Polytechnic.
Dentsu Canada strengthens media leadership with three promotions
The company is looking to accelerate innovation and drive sustained growth for clients.
Leo launches six-pack to ease drinkers into ‘Dry January’
The Holiday Detox Pack helps gradually reduce alcohol content and will be gifted to Leo’s clients.
The Mighty List 2025: People, Causes and Ideas
The 10 examples of big ideas and sheer willpower that showcase what makes it so great—still—to work in this industry.
Why L’Oréal’s CMO is betting on startups to keep the world’s biggest beauty brand ahead in innovation
To maintain its leadership in the rapidly evolving beauty tech space, L’Oreal is partnering with startups to accelerate innovation, deliver personalised beauty experiences, and pioneer new technologies.
OpenAI hires creative leadership from Google and Apple
Julia Hoffmann and Andrew McKechnie join the ChatGPT parent in new roles.
Brainlabs boosts new-business billings but Horizon Media leads indie rankings
US agencies dominate the penultimate rankings for the year.
Reckitt account switch pushes Zenith down rankings but Publicis stays ahead of holdcos
Initiative maintains first place in the individual agency rankings.
We Are Social outlines how high-intent behaviour reshaped social in 2025
2025 marked a shift to high-intent social behaviour, as platforms like Reddit and YouTube reshaped discovery and purchase decisions — forcing brands to rethink strategies for 2026.
Pizza Pizza takes a shot at Toronto’s very behind-schedule Eglinton LRT
ZAK rolled a mobile billboard along the delayed LRT route to promote the pizza chain’s “on time or free” delivery promise.
Analysts expect Omnicom’s jobs restructuring to last into 2026
Omnicom maintains prediction of significant cuts next year is “speculation and inaccurate.”
Australia’s under-16 ban could be the domino that reshapes online governance globally
Brands must make online safety and wellbeing central to how they engage with youths, opines Burson's Douglas Dew. Winning over young audiences now means leading with compliance and purpose.
The Mighty List 2025: Our favourite creative
While Canadian pride took centre stage, the year also produced a wave of marketing that used the power and speed of culture.
Mars Canada brings back Toronto’s beloved holiday windows
The new “Wonders of Mars” display highlights products from across the Mars Snacking portfolio.
Oh what a naughty year it was
ZGM satirizes some of the year’s biggest misdeeds—from the Epstein List to tearing down the East Wing—for its annual holiday card.
KFC Canada invites Canadians to “commit tax evasion”
With no government tax relief on food this season, the campaign with Courage offers a limited-time promotion.
New research shows which ads were hits—and which whiffed—during the World Series
Brainsights found that Home Hardware scored most often with Blue Jays fans during the team’s magical playoff run.
Omnicom must show new structure is about more than cutting its way to growth
Changing how Omnicom operates and collaborates in post-IPG era requires shift in mindset and incentives.
Coca-Cola Canada brings back Balikbayan program to support Filipino holiday traditions
The initiative will distribute 600 custom-designed boxes through Filipino-owned Sari-Sari stores across the GTA.
William Nylander teams up with Shake Shack and Uber Eats for “Willy’s Shakeaway Menu”
Toronto Maple Leafs star “Willy Styles” brings his signature Shake Shack menu to fans for a limited-time, exclusive drop on Uber Eats.
Klick Health funds 1,600 much needed surgeries in rural Kenya
The care was provided at a hospital the health care specialist agency helped fund and build in 2010.
WestJet works with Ronald McDonald House for annual Christmas Miracle
This year’s campaign saw 600 families receive gifts from the airline, along with one extra-special delivery.
A campaign for real aging
The industry rightly reveres Dove’s Real Beauty, but still struggles to show real aging, says Éric Blais in his latest Free to Disagree. People living rich, interesting lives that don’t need to be digitally “juniorized” for public consumption.
Freddie Freeman is a big hit for SickKids
How the Los Angeles Dodgers star came to star in the hospital foundation’s annual holiday fundraiser.
Leo Toronto expands executive team as it accelerates AI-focused transformation
The agency is bolstering its leadership bench to support a major operational and AI-driven transformation ahead of 2026.
Soles4Souls turns Ossington storefront into “Not So New Arrivals” display to spotlight footwear insecurity
The campaign with Fuse Create uses a pop-up window of worn, well-used shoes.
Worldwide Partners agencies launch a global 24-hour volunteer initiative
Independent partner agencies within the network are set to dedicate a full day to local volunteer efforts across the globe.
AI, tariffs, and a dose of pragmatism: Canada’s first-ever CMO outlook report
Despite challenges, Canadian marketers are cautiously optimistic about the year ahead.
Publicis PR takes prompt action
MSL and North Strategic unveil a tool to help brands understand how they show up in fast-growing world of AI search.
Parq Casino leans into “holy $#!%” moments with slots campaign
The campaign with Full Punch aims to rebuild awareness with the casino’s core players.
In the age of the Four Horsemen, I’ll ride with the Wise Men
It’s been a year of mergers and mayhem, but discipline, distinctiveness, and direction could prevent an ad-pocalypse, says Arthur Fleischmann.
A Disney dream takes off in Air Canada holiday spot
The creative documents a young girl’s first journey to Disney World, thanks to the airline’s “Dreams Take Flight” program.
Omnicom warns staff in-office requirement will 'increase over time'
In-office policy was updated in November, when Omnicom acquired Interpublic Group.
Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres flips holiday discount culture in “Blowout Sale”
As Canadians move past Black Friday and Cyber Monday, CATC and ZAK have reframed the language of sales to reveal the real costs of addiction
How Scotiabank’s new brand campaign is inspired by a rude question
For Rethink, the best answer to ‘What do you make?’ is a full and rich life.
Horizon Media launches principal-based buying arm MX in Canada
The new unit is led by industry veteran Emily Malloy.
Dignity is in the bag for Quebec’s ‘binner’ community
Created by No Fixed Address, “The Dignity Bag” is an accessory designed for the people who collect recyclables.