The marketing world never sleeps, which means there are bound to be things that fly under your radar. To make sure you’re up to speed, here’s some news you might have missed over the last week:

Hires, promotions and changes

Toronto-based custom content agency Fifth Story has hired a director, marketing and custom communications, as the company, previously known as News Canada, continues its efforts to become more marketing-centric. Paul Abrams (pictured, right) has been appointed to the role, with previous experience at the CBC and CHUM, and most recently as a corporate consultant.

Montreal’s Citoyen Optimum has hired Audrey Filion as a senior account manager. Filion, who has been freelancing for the last year, has a mix of client- and agency-side experience, having worked for Ritz-Carlton and Holt Renfrew, as well as Casacom PR and Porter Novelli PR.

New business

Toronto digital agency Launch*pad has been selected by U.S. QSR French Fry Heaven to work on its relaunch campaign. Work will include strategy, branding, digital, OOH, print, point-of-sale, radio and launch event activities and is expected to debut in September.

Ireland+Hall has picked up two new clients. The boutique PR agency will now work with Vitamindrip, an intravenous vitamin therapy clinic that launched in Canada in 2011, and Fudi, a company that produces frozen meals made from ingredients sourced in southern Ontario.

NKPR will lead strategy, media relations, influencer outreach and event management for men’s luxury fashion brand Patrick Assaraf as it looks to increase its profile. NKPR will focus on strategic paternerships and retailer relationships, starting with Saks Fifth Avenue stores across North America.

Stephen Thomas, which last week announced a number of new project wins, has also won the fundraising account for ALS Canada. The non-profit-focused agency will develop a strategic direct marketing program aimed at converting past supporters into regular donors to encourage more consistent giving.

Media

Cossette Media has won a new deal to handle media buying and planning duties for the Government of Canada, following a review. Cossette had been working on the media buying account since 2004, but the agency’s new deal, which runs until 2018, also sees it pick up the planning duties from PHD.

Google Canada has added Thierry Bazay (pictured, right) to its agency partnership team as head of industry, agency partnerships. Bazay was most recently co-chair of the programmatic trading committee at the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s Canada office.

Dynamic Outdoor has hired Amanda Dorenberg as VP of technology and marketing. Dorenberg joins from Cieslok Media, where she worked as marketing director.

ZoomerMedia has added Laas Turnbull to its leadership team as audience officer and co-publisher. Turnbull was most recently publisher and editor-and-chief at now-defunct Toronto weekly The Grid and has also been an EVP at Brunico Communications, strategy’s parent company, as well as former publisher of strategy.