Edelman hires former Leo Burnett ACD

Natee Likitsuwankool, a former assistant creative director with Leo Burnett Toronto, has moved over to a new agency to start the new year.

Likitsuwankool has taken on the role of VP, creative director at Edelman. Previously, he had worked at Leo Burnett since 2017, first as senior art director before being promoted to ACD. The Thai-born marketer also previously worked at J. Walter Thompson Worldwide, Havas, Y&R, Rethink and BBDO Bangkok.

“Natee brings an eye for craft and design to the PR world. Someone with that mix of attributes can make the work exceptionally better and I know from a first-hand account that Natee is that person,” says Edelman CCO Anthony Chelvanathan. 

“With almost 20 years of experience and a multitude of award-winning work under his belt, Natee’s talent and dedication to his craft speaks for itself.”

Likitsuwankool’s work has won awards from such shows as D&AD, The OneShow, Cannes Lions, ADC, Clio, Communication Arts, Advertising and Design Club of Canada, the Canadian Marketing Awards and Applied Arts. 

Gut adds a new group account director

Alessio De Civita is the new group account director with Tim Hortons at GUT Toronto.

De Civita previously worked as group account director, business lead with Cossette, where he handled Bombardier Recreational Products including Can-Am, Ski-Doo, Seadoo and Manitou.

Before joining Cossette in 2021, he held a group account director post with Theo, handling the Rogers Wireless account.

BoomBox adds senior staffer

Spencer J. Houghton has been hired as senior producer at Toronto agency, BoomBox.

He is most recently an integrated producer with Mischief at No Fixed Address, and held producer roles with John St and Rethink, overseeing the production of award-winning campaigns spanning broadcast, print, digital, radio and integrated media.

Zeno Group wins Tahiti Tourisme remit

Tahiti Tourisme has named Zeno Group its marketing agency of record for Canada after a multi-round RFP process that began in August 2023.

Tahiti Tourisme is the destination marketing organization for the country of French Polynesia, which includes the island of Tahiti.

Kicking off this month, Zeno’s integrated marketing AOR mandate will include strategic planning, creative, PR, travel trade engagement, partnerships, influencer, digital, social and experiential.

Through the partnership, Zeno will promote Tahiti as the ultimate escape for Canadian travelers with marketing campaigns that highlight its natural wonders and unspoiled beauty, unique adventures, restorative experiences, and rich, welcoming culture.

With files from Andrew Jeffrey