Sunni Boot, a force in the media business for more than 30 years, is being recognized for her contributions to the advancement of advertising in Canada with the 1998 ACA Gold Medal.

The award will be presented Oct. 27 by the Association of Canadian Advertisers during a special luncheon in Boot’s honor at The Faculty Club of the University of Toronto.

Boot, president of Optimedia Canada, the media division of Publicis Canada, says she is overwhelmed to be receiving what she calls the Academy Award of the advertising industry.

Boot began her career at the bottom, working as a typist in the media department at Ronalds-Reynolds.

She quickly climbed through the ranks and, following the purchase of Ronalds-Reynolds by fcb in 1987, was named vice-president, media director of the Toronto office.

In 1992 she launched Optimedia Canada under the fcb umbrella, and, earlier this year, moved with Optimedia to Publicis Canada.

Boot was named media director of the year as part of Strategy’s annual Agency of the Year Competition in 1992 and 1994. She was also the subject of a Strategy tribute – ‘Sunni Boot: 30 years in the media business’ – in September 1996.