In a long-awaited move that’s certain to give Vancouver agencies a stronger voice in advertising affairs, the Institute of Canadian Advertising, which represents agency interests, has formed a Western Canadian branch.
‘It’s always been what happens in Toronto comes first,’ says Frank Palmer, president of Vancouver agency Palmer Jarvis Communications and chair of the new ica arm.
‘Most of us will say that we really have a voice now.’
Agencies in Canada’s western provinces often have a different view on issues than agencies from Central Canada and those views ‘should be part and parcel of the mix,’ says Palmer, although he declined to elaborate on the nature of their concerns until branch members have had an opportunity to discuss them further.
‘We recognize that there should be more focus regionally,’ says John Harding, executive vice-president of the ica in Toronto. He estimates that about one-third of the ica membership is based in the West. Advocacy issues and business management needs must be addressed region-by-region, says Harding.
Regional involvement is vital, agrees Palmer. However, he points out that work has just begun and that the new branch will need to lobby seriously in order to put its concerns front and centre. ‘Now we really have to make sure that we have enough meat in the sandwich,’ he says.
The first meeting of the ica with its western branch will take place at the end of November.
