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← Back to IdeasJohn Killam Appointed Chief Executive of Ogilvy Canada
TORONTO, CANADA – June 3, 2019 – Today, Ogilvy announced the appointment of John Killam to the position of Chief Executive, Ogilvy Canada effective immediately. Killam replaces Laurie Young who retired from Ogilvy earlier this year, following a long and accomplished career with the agency.
Killam comes to Ogilvy from Omnicom Media Group (OMG) where he was Chief Client Officer at two agencies, OMD Canada and Red Magnet. Over the past four and a half years he oversaw one of Canada’s largest telecommunications clients as well as a major food and beverages client, among others. Prior to that, Killam built his career at agencies such as McCann, Juniper Park and Cleansheet Communications, where he led brand and digital teams on telco, package goods, automotive, beverage and service brands. Killam will partner with Ogilvy Canada Chief Creative Officer, Brian Murray in leading Ogilvy’s Toronto operations. The agency also plans to announce a new Chief Strategy Officer later this Spring.
“Ogilvy, an iconic brand with a great Canadian history, has been able to attract some of the brightest talent and best clients in our business. I’m extremely excited to be joining this team.” says Killam. “Very few agencies in Canada have a team of professionals who understand how to both build powerful brands for the long term and drive performance and loyalty every day.” Ogilvy integrated its global direct, digital, CRM and brand building capabilities into one cohesive unit in 2017 – ahead of many other agency networks. “I look forward to bringing my background in creative brand strategy and performance marketing to Ogilvy’s broad range of global and local clients,” adds Killam. Ogilvy is a leading agency for brands such as American Express, Dove, Huggies, IBM, Starbucks, Pizza Hut and Nordstrom.
“We have great creative momentum,” said Brian Murray, Chief Creative Officer. This year, Ogilvy Canada won Cannes Lions for multiple campaigns and was also shortlisted for a Glass Lion. We took home top honors from the One Show, D&AD and Clios, and Ogilvy Canada was recently shortlisted for 13 Effies effectiveness awards for six different campaigns. “The appointment of John as Chief Executive will help take our efforts to the next level and will enable us to more closely align creativity with the business ambitions for Ogilvy Canada.”
About Ogilvy Ogilvy has been producing iconic, culture-changing marketing campaigns since the day its founder David Ogilvy opened up shop in 1948. Today, Ogilvy is an award-winning integrated creative network that makes brands matter for Fortune Global 500 companies as well as local businesses across 132 offices in 83 countries. The company creates experiences, design and communications that shape every aspect of a brands needs through six core capabilities: Brand Strategy, Advertising, Customer Engagement and Commerce, PR and Influence, Digital Transformation, and Partnerships. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY). For more information, visit http://www.ogilvy.com/, or follow Ogilvy on Twitter at @Ogilvy and on Facebook.com/Ogilvy.
Press Contact
Tara Mullins
Ogilvy
Tel: 646-520-6468
Email: Tara.mullins@ogilvy.com