High praise from the Queen of Canadian media, Sunni Boot, is a rarity. But when said maven actually compares you to herself, well, that’s simply golden. ‘She is the next generation,’ raves Boot.

In 1982, Myers began her career in media at Ronalds Reynolds which would eventually become ZenithOptimedia. In 1983 she moved to TN Media where she stayed for two years at VP media planning. Then it was back to Zenith in 1995.

Boot credits Myers with landing the pitch for the Nestlé business and managing it leading up to the review. And Myers’ other brands, for which she’s the lead in strategy development, are equally impressive: CIBC, General Mills, Purolator, Canada Post, Purina, KIA and Wal-Mart round out her current client list. ‘She thinks big,’ says Boot. ‘She rolls up her sleeves and does it. She has got client innovation and client servicing to the core and that’s what it takes.’

Boot on Myers:

Rising to the top

‘The thing is, all major agencies offer similarities. The difference is always going to be the passion, the determination and the intelligence of the individuals who run the business. Not everyone has it. At Zenith we don’t run offices, we run businesses. I can hire office managers, for heaven’s sake, but I need people who can be with the client in the trenches, do everything, night and day. That’s what she’s like. I feel that’s what’s made me successful.’

How is she an icon in the making?

‘Leaders are people who can do a number of things: They need to display a passion that can lead a group, garner an idea, champion the idea and execute the idea. Leaders motivate up and down. They motivate people senior to them and below them. It’s just what they do, and what she does.’