Ogilvy Montreal has appointed Marc Gagnier as EVP of brand strategy.

Gagnier previously worked as VP and general manager at Publicis Montreal, as VP of strategy at Havas and as SVP of convergence at Cossette for 15 years. He also has broad experience in the retail sector, having worked on brands that include Volkswagen, McDonald’s, Brunet, General Mills, Natrel and Vichy.

The role is a new one for the Montreal branch. It was added to create a “strong strategic pillar” at the agency and give clients “a real sense of what it means for us to sell integrated marketing solutions,” said Caroline Gauthier, VP of consulting service and global integration at Ogilvy Montreal, in an email to strategy. 

Gagnier will oversee strategic planning, social media, media, performance marketing and content engagement at the agency.

In a year that has seen the Ogilvy & Mather network undergo a global restructuring, the Montreal office has also added a new CCO and assignments with Parks Canada and Belron Canada. The agency has also picked up new Canada-wide creative leadership and made a number of other new hires in its Toronto office.