Bob Wolowich says the rumors of his agency’s demise have been exaggerated.
Toronto-based bwck (Burghardt Wolowich Crunkhorn Kibble) is alive and well and rebuilding after setbacks earlier this year, including the loss of the $5-million Ontario Hydro account.
Another major glitch in the firm’s operation was the departure of partner John Burghardt, who left to get back to his creative roots four months ago.
Wolowich, president and director of creative services, says the agency was slow paying its suppliers after Burghardt left because of financial restructuring.
Partners Wolowich and Crunkhorn have since put more money into the agency and worked terms out with suppliers without third-party interference.
The agency has also restructured to make it more accountable to its clients.
Three senior account people have been made business managers responsible for the client’s profitability and with the mandate to make business decisions beyond the usual account role.
Business managers include Sonia Mickevicius, who has been with bwck since 1989 as account director on Ontario Hydro and Robin’s Donuts.
Mickevicius worked with agencies in both Toronto and Montreal, joining Ontario Lottery as marketing manager for seven years before joining bwck.
Business managers
Dan Reynolds and Kevin Lloyd are the other two business managers.
Reynolds joined bwck in 1991, with responsibility for the Fuji Film professional film division.
During his 20-year career, he has been on the client side with Gillette of Canada and Petro Canada and with agencies: MacLaren, Benton & Bowles, Foote Cone & Belding, Saatchi & Saatchi and Collier and Park.
Lloyd is new to the bwck team and brings more than 23 years of experience, both on the client and agency side, to his new post.
He had been operating his own business since 1988.
