Six more pillars of the Canadian advertising and marketing industry are set to be immortalized as the newest inductees to the Marketing Hall of Legends (MHOL).

They will join the 49 previous honourees during the annual MHOL event, taking place on April 14 at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, under four categories. To be inducted as Visionaries, entrepreneurs who have created enduring, valuable and iconic Canadian brands are Frank Buckley, president, Buckley’s, Les Mandelbaum, co-founder and president, Umbra and Paul Rowan, co-founder and VP design, Umbra. David Bloom, former CEO of Shoppers Drug Mart, will be welcomed to the Hall as a Builder -charismatic leaders who have built and enhanced existing brands, increasing the competitive nature of their organizations. Joining the MHOL as Enablers – marketing communications pros with long-standing records of providing top-notch brand-building expertise – are Nancy Vonk and Janet Kestin, co-CCOs of Ogilvy & Mather Toronto. And James Barnes, professor emeritus at Memorial University and principal at BMAI Strategy, will be welcomed to the Hall as a Mentor, someone who, via philanthropy or academics, has provided others with the opportunity, inspiration or ability to pursue excellence in Canadian marketing.
‘This year’s inductees were selected based on their outstanding contribution to the Canadian marketing industry,’ said Jim Warrington and Stéfan Danis, co-chairs, Marketing Hall of Legends, in a release. ‘Not only have their brands and teams weathered the recession, but they have been able to evolve through the years to build campaigns that now define our industry.’
Also announced is the introduction of a two-tiered gala format, providing greater accessibility to the celebrations. Guests will be able to attend the full evening, including a networking event, VIP dinner with the inductees and an after party, or just the networking event and after party under a new two-tiered pricing system.