Kicking Horse Coffee names a new CMO

Lori Hatcher-Hillier is Kicking Horse Coffee’s new chief marketing officer.

Hatcher-Hillier most recently worked as the head of commercial for licensed cannabis producer/CPG Truss Beverages. She worked at Truss for nearly five years, originally starting at the company as its head of marketing.

Prior to joining Tilray-owned Truss, Hatcher-Hillier was senior director of marketing – global marketing, for Canada Goose.

Publicis Toronto announces three senior leadership promotions

Full-service marketing agency Publicis Toronto is promoting Vinicius Dalvi from executive creative director to chief creative officer, succeeding Joanna Monteiro, hired in 2021, who is returning home to Brazil.

The move is one of three strategic leadership promotions at Publicis Toronto, all of whom will report to president Brett McIntosh. Additionally, Publicis Toronto has appointed Bobby Malhotra and Serene Gaspar as co-managing directors of its creative practice. Malhotra formerly worked as Publicis’ SVP, executive client partner, while Gaspar worked as its former VP brand director.

Dalvi, a former creative director at TBWA\Media Arts Lab in London, led Apple campaigns in the U.K. and European, Middle East and African markets. Earlier in his career, he contributed to large-scale productions and global campaigns, first at Wieden + Kennedy and later in Publicis offices in London and Italy. He’s also worked with such global brands as Heineken, Renault and Diesel.

Malhotra has led teams in Toronto, Windsor and Montreal throughout his 15 years at Publicis Toronto. His contributions have played a key role in the success of brands like Rogers, Coca-Cola Canada, Samsung and the agency’s largest client, Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles). Gaspar, meanwhile, joined Publicis from Cossette two years ago, and she was recruited to lead the newly acquired Canadian Tire account, where she built a bespoke team from the ground up, onboarding strategists and creatives.

FKA brings Jeff McLean back on board as creative director

Pride Tape co-founder Jeff McLean has been hired for a new role as the creative director of Edmonton-based marketing communications agency FKA.

McLean will be looked to by FKA to elevate the company’s creative output on a national and international scale, as he enters the role with more than 30 years of experience. McLean has worked as a graphic designer, art director and creative director in local agencies across Canada. Most recently, he worked with the St. John’s-based agency Ray.

Having won more than 150 local awards in Edmonton and Atlantic Canada, McLean’s work on Pride Tape has received such honors as a Clio Gold Sports and the IABC Gold Quill Award.

McLean previously worked with FKA from 2017 to 2019, and he rejoins the company upon the departure of his predecessor Craig Markou.

Meridian Credit Union announces new VP of marketing

Former Scene+ executive Susan LeBlanc is taking on a new role as the vice president of marketing for Meridian Credit Union.

LeBlanc was the executive director of marketing communications for Scene+, and prior to holding that post for about a year, she also worked as the loyalty program’s marketing director.

LeBlanc also held various senior digital marketing roles during a seven-year stint with Heart & Stroke.

With files from Andrew Jeffrey