National PR names VP and practice lead, public affairs

Saeed Selvam’s is National Public Relations’ new vice-president and practice lead of public affairs, operating out of the agency’s Toronto office.

Selvam is an award-winning public affairs executive with more than 20 years of experience developing government relations campaigns, comprehensive communications and engagement strategies, and policies for some of the largest global brands and organizations. He’s worked with Google, the Obama-Biden White House, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Prior to his new role at National Public Relations, Selvam served as a global policy lead and associate principal at Google and then as the managing director (Ontario and Federal) of New West Public Affairs. He has also served as an informal advisor to a Premier of Ontario and two Toronto mayors.

“With his deep-rooted knowledge of the Canadian public affairs landscape at all levels of government, [Selvam’s] expertise, and ability to lead complex public affairs and public engagement mandates makes him the perfect addition to our growing team,” says Brian Pearl, managing partner of National’s Toronto office.

The Hive promotes two ACDs to CDs

Ryan Speziale and Mike Albrecht have been promoted to creative directors at The Hive.

The two Hamiltonians both previously held associative creative director roles with the shop. Speziale (pictured above, left) is a former senior art director with Sid Lee and J Walter Thompson. Albrecht was a senior copywriter at Sid Lee and also held a senior copywriter role with J Walter Thompson.

Recent work by The Hive includes a spot the duo worked on together for 10 months for EQ bank starring Eugene and Dan Levy.