When I first entered the business back in the late eighties, my Creative Director had a vast collection of One Show annuals that he shared with the juniors. At the time, Canadian agencies rarely made it into International shows. But lo and behold, in the front section of one of these books, a Canadian agency had picked up a prestigious One Show Gold Pencil. Location? Halifax. Pretty cool.
Over twenty years later, the East Coast has developed successfully beyond that one shop. Numerous East Coast shops have been recognized at shows around the world in the past decade. I’m hoping that trend will continue with this year’s crop of work. Like any show, of course, the work is only as good as the jury that can spot its brilliance. I’m pleased to say everyone on this year’s jury has created great work themselves or, in the case of our client judge, knows how to recognize it.
Between them, each judge has had their work featured in the One Show, CA, Cannes or D&AD, plus won Gold medals at these and other shows. It was a necessary prerequisite to being on the jury. Well, that and being able to handle a week-long hangover.
-Zak Mroueh, Head Judge
Associate Creative Director, Ogilvy, Toronto
Jane Murray joined Ogilvy Toronto as Associate Creative Director in 2006, after previously working at Taxi and MacLaren McCann. Her work has been featured in a pantload of award shows and publications, including Cannes, The Clios, The One Show, D&AD, and Communication Arts. Jane graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1995, and has a penchant for mid century modern design, vintage fashion, and finding five dollar Eames chairs at yard sales.
Creative Director, Bensimon Byrne, Toronto
Ian’s advertising career began some 18 years ago at the world-renowned training ground for advertising copywriters: Sifton Properties Advertising in London, Ontario. From there he joined Cossette Communications in Toronto to work on McDonald’s, Saab, Bell and TVOntario.
After a year and a half of success in the local award shows, Ian accepted a job at the newly created Geoffrey B. Roche and Partners. The goal of the agency’s flamboyant leader was simple: do great work. Ian was more than happy to oblige. During his four and a half years there Ian focused on doing exceptional creative for brands like IKEA, Panasonic, Royal Bank, P.C. Financial, The Sony Store, Outward Bound and Canadian Business Magazine. Ian also assisted with the growth of the agency’s international creative reputation by winning its first Gold Pencil at the One Show and its first Gold Lion at Cannes.
Ian left Roche for BBDO Toronto in 1998 to take on a leadership position as Associate Creative Director on Pepsi and Chrysler – the agency’s largest client.
Over the following years, Ian wrote, won business, won Lions, was consistently ranked at the top of the Strategy Creative Report Card and rose up within the ranks within the agency – ultimately being named Creative Director in 2006 and Executive Creative Director in 2008.
Under his creative leadership, BBDO won the most awards in its Canadian history, won Lions at Cannes (including a Gold and Bronze Lion this year alone), was named top Canadian agency on the Gunn Report and in the vast 200+ agency-strong BBDO Network, BBDO Toronto leapt to become the 4th most awarded in the world among such heavyweights as BBDO New York, Almap/BBDO in Brazil and AMV/BBDO London.
In the spring of 2010, in search of a new challenge, Ian left BBDO to assume the creative leadership of Bensimon Byrne.
Ian is married with two children: Madison and Callum. Ian also races bicycles in what little spare time he has left.
Creative Director, Taxi 2, Toronto
Over the past 16 years, Lance Martin has built one of the strongest creative résumés in the country, while his Lions, Pencils and Clios prove he is a global force to be reckoned with. And though he’s all about the work, Lance has a keen business sense that has helped him develop strong client relationships and foster an environment of collaboration and innovation.
During the past eight years at TAXI, Lance has been integral in creating some of the most recognized and awarded work to leave the agency, including campaigns for VIAGRA, Nike and the Worldwide Short Film Festival. At the helm of TAXI 2, Lance has produced work for clients such as The Weather Network, M&M Meat Shops, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Koodo and Burger King. Not to mention, MINI. Lance has been a key player in bringing this iconic brand to life and the work has repeatedly been recognized at Cannes. But perhaps the best measure of success is that many of the campaigns created in Canada have been picked up globally.
Lance’s dedication to his work and the business guarantee he’ll never stop doubting the conventional.
Group Creative Director, Leo Burnett Toronto
Sam graduated with a BFA Honors Degree from York University in 1999. A few years into his career, he won the Canadian Young Creatives Competition, earning a trip to Cannes to compete globally at the International Advertising Festival. He has since accumulated numerous awards including Clio, Cannes, Communication Arts, The Art Director’s Club of New York, International Andy’s, Marketing, ADCC and many others. His work has been featured in Advertising Now. Print., Excellence in brand Advertising and on Primetime Episodes This Hour has 22 minutes, Tyrant on TV and The World’s Funniest Commercials.
Prior to joining Leo Burnett in 2009, Sam spent five years at TAXI where he rose to Associate Creative Director, and held a three-year stint at Grey Worldwide before that. His work on brands include MINI, Canadian Tire, The Canadian Film Centre, Maalox and Dairy Queen, to name a few.
Last month Sam’s title grew beyond the Group Creative Director role. He was named B.F.F.W.A.O.P. (Best friends forever with an old person) – a title given to him by his three kids. WTF?
Vice President Marketing, Holt Renfrew
Tracy Fellows was appointed as Vice President, Marketing, with Holt Renfrew in June 2007. Ms Fellow’s leadership encompasses strategy development and integrated marketing programs, including Advertising, Customer Relationship Management, Creative Services, Events and Public Relations. During her tenure with Holt Renfrew, she has championed a dynamic new direction, targeted at powerfully integrating Marketing efforts across the organization, working in concert with the merchant divisions. She is also responsible for initiating a corporate social responsibility review, leading to a 3-year charitable partnership with the United Way of Canada.
Throughout her marketing career, Tracy Fellows has been responsible for building brands for some of Canada’s leading consumer goods and retail companies. Prior to joining Holt Renfrew, she served as Vice President, Consumer Advertising & Marketing, with Canadian Tire Corporation, Ltd. During her tenure there, she was responsible for developing a fresh new retail strategy and brand positioning, and led the launch of key private-label brands and a new gift card program.
Ms Fellow’s marketing career started in consumer goods, with high-profile companies including Gillette Canada Inc., Kraft Foods, Revlon Canada, and Sobey’s Capital, Inc.
With strong expertise in the strategic and tactical development of impactful, integrated marketing programs, Ms Fellows has a common-sense approach to finding targeted solutions for consumer needs. She has a proven track record in refining Marketing strategies to focus on competitive differentiation and understanding key consumer groups and trends.
When she is not breaking new retail ground, Ms Fellows is an avid traveler who likes to go off the beaten path. She has hiked through every continent except Antarctica – which she plans to explore in the near future.
Ms Fellows is on the board of the Nelson Mandela Childrens’ Foundation and the Advisory Council of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. She has participated in overseas volunteering projects in Africa. She has also volunteered for the United Way as Leadership Chair for Canadian Tire, venturing into the Toronto business community to build partnerships to enhance United Way projects throughout the city.