Vancouver-based independent agency Wasserman has added to its creative leadership after hiring Neil Shapiro as its new creative director. 

This comes following the departure of previous creative director Bronwyn Mackay, who has returned to her home country of New Zealand. Mackay joined Wasserman in 2017 as a senior copywriter. She was named creative director in 2020.

Shapiro spent more than 13 years at DDB Vancouver, most recently as group creative director before beginning work as a freelance creative in 2020. While at DDB, Shapiro worked on clients including BCAA, Destination Canada, ICBC, Milk Producers of Western Canada, Volkswagen, and BC Hydro, earning a wide range of national and international advertising awards including Cannes Lions, The One Show and The Marketing Awards.

Cam Landell, Wasserman’s president, expressed his enthusiasm for Shapiro joining the agency. “His curiosity for understanding people, uncovering human truths and insights is part of what excited us about him, and he is really aligned with our agency’s focus,” said Cam Landell, agency president.

Other senior additions to Wasserman’s creative team this year have included Bruno Cirello, who was hired in the spring as ACD and head of art.