Cara Keating named PepsiCo Canada CEO

Cara Keating is PepsiCo Canada’s new CEO. The nearly 21-year company veteran said in a LinkedIn post that she is “moving home to lead our united PepsiCo Canada Beverages and Foods business as CEO of one of PepsiCo’s top global anchor markets.”

Keating previously served for more than two years as chief customer officer for Frito Lay North America, based out of Plano, Texas.

She began her PepsiCo career in the Western Canada market before moving to Toronto in 2010. Shortly thereafter, she was named senior director of strategy, planning and insights.

Keating served as vice president of customer development at PepsiCo Foods Canada, where she led the national sales team for more than two-and-a-half years.

In 2019, she was appointment president, PepsiCo Canada.

Keating has experience in general management, customer insights and field and customer leadership. She is also a supporter of PepsiCo’s diversity, engagement and inclusion agenda.

We Are Social appoints global group chief executive officer

Global socially-led creative agency We Are Social has appointed Toby Southgate as its global group chief executive officer. 

Southgate was previously global CEO at Forsman & Bodenfors, where he worked with global clients such as Volvo, Google, Procter & Gamble and Diageo. Now, he will lead We Are Social’s team of 1,200 people spanning four continents.

According to the release announcing his appointment, Southgate will be tasked with expanding We Are Social’s core offering in partnership with its client roster, which includes Samsung, Amazon Music, Starbucks, adidas, Activision, Netflix and Booking.com.

Prior to Forsman & Bodenfors, he was global chief growth officer at McCann Worldgroup, also serving as the company’s regional director and chief client officer across Europe and the U.K. Before joining Worldgroup, Southgate spent 10 years at WPP’s brand consulting unit, Brand Union.

Retail Council of Canada leader to retire

Retail Council of Canada (RCC) president and CEO Diane Brisebois is stepping aside after more than 30 years at the helm of the association.

According to the release, under her tenure RCC “played a critical role supporting the retail community and serving as a key advisor to governments during the COVID-19 pandemic.” It also notes Brisebois “modernized” RCC, built a skilled and respected team from coast to coast and positioned the association as a respected and credible voice for the retail sector.

“She is a relentless advocate for all retailers ensuring the association always acts as a united voice to support success for retailers large and small,” says Anne Martin-Vachon, chair of the board of directors.

Retail Council is the largest retail association in the country representing more than 45,000 retail establishments.