Keurig names VP of coffee

Keurig Dr Pepper Canada named longtime Agropur vet Jean-Philippe Leblanc (pictured right) as its VP of coffee.

Leblanc will lead the strategic growth of the company’s coffee business, overseeing appliances, coffee brands, revenue growth, category management and partnerships.

The former Agropur leader of more than a decade most recently worked as VP of cheese and butter and GM for yogurt, based out of Quebec.

The CPG vet began his career as an account executive with Procter & Gamble, working on Metro and Walmart accounts.

“[Leblanc] brings a wealth of experience, a fresh perspective, and a robust professional network to the role of vice president, coffee,” says Olivier Lemire, president of Keurig Dr Pepper Canada.

“Coupled with his industry knowledge and shared value system, [Leblanc’s] proven collaboration skills make him the ideal candidate to work with internal and external partners to drive synergies, engagement and results for our clients and consumers alike.”

Taxi promotes Allen Kwong to ECD

Taxi has tapped Allen Kwong for the role of ECD, the agency announced this week.

Previously working as group creative director, Taxi announced on LinkedIn on Thursday (Nov. 30) that Kwong is being promoted to ECD.

Kwong has worked with  Taxi since 2019, first joining as a creative director. He’s worked on campaigns for such brands as Volkswagen and Egale. Prior to Taxi, he also previously worked for Juniper Park, Pigeon Brands, GTB and Hudson Rouge.

BICOM opens a new digital content studio

Marketing comms agency BICOM, is expanding its digital department by opening a new digital content studio. In the news release announcing the studio, the shop says it it is taking into consideration the current evolution of the digital landscape, and is focusing on the importance of “having a complete and well-rounded service offering to carry out all of its clients’ campaigns in-house.”

The studio will thus be entirely at the service of its current and future clients to create original and professional content.

“Many of our clients entrust us with content creation mandates,” says Marie-Noelle Hamelin, president and co-founder of BICOM. ” We decided to set up this photo studio in our Montreal offices to meet and even exceed our clientele’s needs. Montreal and Toronto clients will benefit from this new offer.”

This summer, the shop opened a location in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighbourhood.

Elite Rewards plants Canadian roots

Florida-based incentive marketer, Elite Rewards, is expanding into Canada, establishing an office in North Toronto.

Elite will offer Canadian retailers access to prepaid rewards cards and other promotional programs designed to increase in-store traffic, drive conversions and higher sales.

“The goal is to introduce Canadian retailers to successful programs we’ve run with major clients in the United States including Ashley Furniture, City Furniture, DSG, HOM Furniture, Jerome’s, Raymour & Flanigan, Serta Simmons, Tempur-Sealy and many more,” says Tom Coffeen, Elite Rewards’ VP of sales, who says it believes that Canadian retail, specifically furniture, home goods and automotive markets will greatly benefit from the programs.

Venturepark is bolstering its accelerator program

CPG ecosystem Venturepark is expanding its accelerator program to offer live events, sessions and mentorship opportunities nationally.

The company also introduced participants in its Cohort 16 program, bringing together the most promising emerging brands across Canada, and providing a platform for shared learning and growth within a national framework. The program culminates in a live in-person demo day, where brands will have a chance to connect with investors, retailers, and advisors.

Founded in 2015 by Arlene Dickinson, and partnered with CPG investor, District Ventures Capital and national retail partner, Sobeys, Venturepark has been a catalyst for more than 130 brands through its accelerator program.

With files from Andrew Jeffrey