Ogilvy & Mather has announced Ian MacKellar is joining its Toronto office as CCO, following the news that Nancy Vonk and Janet Kestin are leaving the agency to launch their own creative leadership training firm, Swim.

MacKellar is a 20-year veteran of the advertising industry, having won awards, including Gold Cannes Lions and Clios during his tenure at agencies such as BBDO Toronto. Most recently he was ECD at Bensimon Byrne.

Dennis Stief, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather Toronto, says MacKellar will be a great fit with the creative department Vonk and Kestin have built over the years.

“We looked at a lot of people for the job, but he has all the credentials,” he says. “He has worked with multinationals across categories and has won a lot of awards throughout his career. Plus, we really liked him.”

MacKellar will start at Ogilvy & Mather on Oct. 3, the first day Vonk and Kestin officially start their work with Swim.