Google and McCann vet joins Sundogs

Michael Halminen is the new creative director with Sundogs Creative. The New York shop, which specializes in utilizing data and AI, is expanding into the Canadian market.

Halminen is former head of creative works for Google Canada. Prior, he was SVP and creative director for MacLaren McCann, creating campaigns for Xbox, General Motors, Mastercard and RBC.

As SVP creative director at MRM and McCann, he spearheaded large-scale integrated campaigns for General Motors. This included launching dozens of vehicles, strengthening the company’s digital brand presence and driving business in the Middle East, Africa and Mexico.

Juniper Park and TBWA promotes a CD

Mario Maiato has been promoted to creative director at Juniper Park and TBWA.

Maiato was the associate creative director for the shop between March 2022 and this October. He was the shop’s art director and senior art director. Previously, he was the art director with Publicis, working on a client roster including Chrysler, Coke, Labatt, CIBC, Air Miles, Metro and WestJet.

BICOM brings back a staffer for director role

Anik Lacasse Richard is BICOM’s new digital director.

Richard was recently director of account operations at Montreal’s Imagemotion. Previously, she was BICOM’s social media manager, from 2017 to 2019.