MY CAREER TELLS THE STORY OF “FIRSTS”;
BREAKING GROUND AND BUILDING FOUNDATIONS THAT HELP PEOPLE, BRANDS AND BUSINESSES GROW.
“We hired James to support a new, high-growth client in developing their long term brand strategy, purpose and creative platform. His thought leadership and contribution helped us navigate pressing timelines, win confidence with our new client and advance discussions from near term tactics to long term brand building. I'd be happy to recommend him to anyone looking for a strategic and modern strategist, with equal analytical and creative skills.”
— Agency President
VP, Brand STRATEGY
September 2020 — September 2021
I joined Klick Health during the pandemic to help bring their flagship healthcare client into the consumer marketing arena. Over 12 months, we achieved a number of “pharma firsts” in advertising, content and activation, one of the fastest go-to-market launches in category history and built a new social-first strike team designed for agility in a highly regulated business. I transitioned from client-facing to working on the Klick agency business as a consultant at the beginning of 2021 when I helped create the brand strategy and launch narrative for their new venture-studio, btwelve.
SR. GLOBAL Brand DIRECTOR
March 2017 - November 2019
Reporting to the global CMO, I built the Brand and Product Marketing disciplines through an era of transformative growth pre / post IPO, when the business was expanding into new markets, categories and channels.
Over three years, we achieved a creative and cultural renaissance which included the long term brand vision, purpose, communications platform, voice, identity and numerous global campaigns, collaborations and projects projects that elevated delivered creative and commercial impact.
The impact of that work set the tone for transformation, achieved a unified global performance-luxury position, embedded new ways of working, set a new global standard for the brand and put purpose at the heart of the business.
“James’ impact is evident, as the brand soared to new heights under his leadership. He was a mentor to myself and others and truly cared about the human side of leadership, as much as he adored the brand itself.”
— Former direct report, Canada Goose
Head of Strategy & Client DEVELOPMENT
September 2016 — March 2017
When I joined studiom, I brought Canada Goose with me as a new agency client. In the following months I secured multiple film projects including their IPO analyst road show and global sales conference, supported client wins with West Jet and PepsiCo, and co-authored the agency’s new positioning and capabilities.
Years later, their first-ever strategic planning exercise which I led their leadership through, is still in practice today.
BRAND CONSULTANT & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
June 2015 — March 2017
The first consulting chapter of my career after climbing the agency ladder and cutting my teeth in strategy and ideation, new business and account services. Early clients included Universal Music Canada who hired me to co-launch a new brand partnerships division inside of the label (now Shed Creative), RUDSAK, Smirnoff Vodka and Canada Goose, who I created music-based cultural strategies, celebrity collaboration, content and special events for.
“I had the pleasure of working with James on a multi-year global film initiative. He always carried himself with composure and exhibited tactful problem-solving and graceful leadership. Working with James as a client was invigorating and refreshing.”
— Executive Producer
SR. DIRECTOR, Strategy & Client DEVELOPMENT
August 2012 - May 2015
A newly created role with a strategic and new business focus — I led high-priority pitches, projects, portfolios and teams for new and existing clients, across all agency services and verticals.
On more than one occasion, clients awarded us the business on the condition that I stay on to lead their account, providing me with the opportunity to deepen the relationship, grow and renew the business. Notable new business wins include Unilever, BMO, General Mills and Lincoln, amongst others.
In my final year, I was asked to lead the Anheuser-Busch account, the agency’s flagship client consisting of 30+ full-time staff, a portfolio of Domestic (Budweiser, Bud Light), Premium (Stella Artois, Corona) and Craft beer brands across the agency’s most extensive mix of services.
GROUP ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
January 2010 - August 2012
BOOM! Marketing was the experiential arm of 6degrees Communications; an integrated agency offering Creative, Experiential Digital and Retail Marketing services.
I began leading accounts such as Colgate-Palmolive and Maple Leaf Foods, before extending my role into new business development where I led notable pitches and account teams for new clients including Mott’s Canada Dry (Dr. Pepper, Canada Dry, Mott’s Clamato), Corby Distilleries (ABSOLUT Vodka, Jameson Whiskey) and Target Canada, to name a few.
Entertainment & Sponsorship Marketing
April 2006 - January 2010
I joined OLG during the backlash following the insider trading scandal. My mandate was simple; generate good will for the brand. So, we created OLG Presents Music; a platform for community outreach, event programming and sponsorship activation across the province. Other project highlights include a 6-date concert tour with The Sam Roberts Band, developing marquee sponsorships with some of the biggest festivals in the province including Luminato, Toronto Pride, The Ottawa Bluesfest and various initiatives supporting the iconic LOTTO 6/49 brand.
“James is a strategic, collaborative partner: someone I always found that clients and creatives wanted to be across the table from.”
— Former colleague, Executive Strategy & Creative Director