After eight years at Saatchi & Saatchi Toronto, Brett Channer has stepped down as the shop’s chairman and executive CD. Filling the gap are Helen Pak and Brian Sheppard who have been promoted to co-executive CDs.

Channer felt that it was time for him to look toward what’s next in his career.

‘I have always been one to put myself in uncomfortable situations – account guy to planner, to writer, to ECD, to CEO, to chairman,’ said Channer in a release. ‘My craft has always improved when I do this. So, it is time for me to do it again. I am now working with the Saatchi network to decide what the next uncomfortable, outrageous thing might be.’

‘We thank Brett for his many contributions in transforming Saatchi & Saatchi Canada into the agency it is today,’ added Stuart Payne, president, CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi Canada. ‘I have great confidence in the fact that we are starting an exciting new chapter with the appointment of an award-winning team.’

Pak and Sheppard, who will now report to Payne, have a long list of clients they have worked on over their careers. Making stops at Ogilvy & Mather, Harrod & Mirlin, JWT, Taxi, and Strawberry Frog Amsterdam previous to landing at Saatchi, their roster of clients has included the likes of Toyota, Buckley’s, Folgers, P&G, Kraft, American Express, Novartis, Kroger, Pfizer, Nabisco and IBM. Each of them has had work recognized with awards spanning Cannes Gold Lions, One Show, London International, Gold European Effie, Applied Arts, Billi, the Advertising and Design Club of Canada, Cassies and the Crystals.