CLIENTS:

Paul Walters, one of the country’s highest-profile and best-respected retail executives, has stepped down as chairman and CEO of Sears Canada, after four years. Walters, who was named the Retail Council of Canada’s Retailer of the Year in 1999 after repeatedly setting sales and profit records, will be replaced by Mark Cohen, president of softlines and chief marketing officer for Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Walters’ resignation has been the subject of much speculation. Some industry analysts chalk it up to his role in Sears’ purchase and relaunch of Eatons, which has taken longer and cost more than expected.

AGENCIES:

Jack Neary has been promoted to president and chief creative officer of BBDO Canada in Toronto. Neary, formerly co-creative director with Michael McLaughlin, got the job as part of a company-wide restructuring that saw several staff members laid off and former executive VP and managing director Daryl Aitken tender his resignation.

Publicis Toronto has signed Bill Baker as brand director on the Microsoft account. Baker has 15 years’ experience on both the client and agency sides of the business, most recently at AT&T Canada, where for the past five years he was director of advertising and branding.

Kevin Pfuhl has rejoined Gee, Jeffery & Partners Advertising, as VP, brand planning. Pfuhl returns to the Toronto shop from Vickers & Benson, where he was account director on the Bank of Montreal private client group business. He originally joined Gee, Jeffery in 1998, as account supervisor on the Cantel AT&T business.

Mosaic Direct and Interactive has promoted John Rocca from senior art director to creative supervisor, a new position that encompasses increased strategic and administrative duties. Over the past 18 months, Rocca has worked on the Compaq Canada, CIBC and JTI Macdonald accounts.

MC Healthcare Group, a pharmaceutical marketing agency headquartered in London, Ont., has promoted Mark Nolan to VP, client services from account director. Nolan was responsible for the acquisition of several new clients, including 3M Pharmaceuticals.

New York-based direct marketing agency DirectDeutsch has lured DM creatives Colin Cunningham and Lee Robinson to the Big Apple as associate creative directors. The duo held the same titles at Vickers & Benson Direct + Interactive in Toronto, where their clients included Sprint Canada, Bank of Montreal and Purina.

MEDIA:

Bell Globemedia, which owns CTV, The Globe and Mail, Globe Interactive and Sympatico/Lycos, has appointed Janet Callaghan group senior VP, integrated marketing. Callaghan, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the media management business, most recently as managing partner with MBS/The Media Company, and before that, as national media director with J. Walter Thompson, will work with the firm’s print, TV and Internet marketing and sales groups.

Paul de Silva has been named Vision TV’s VP of programming, where his responsibilities will include developing strategies to increase viewership for the multi-faith broadcaster. De Silva has been with Vision TV for five years, most recently as director of programming. Meanwhile, Peter Flemington has retired from his post as VP of programming and development, but will continue to act as a special advisor to Vision president Bill Roberts. Flemington will focus on international partnerships and special projects.