Ron Lund is stepping down as president and CEO of the Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA) after more than 20 years leading the organization.

The ACA announced on Thursday (Feb. 22) that Lund will retire from the role at the end of February.

“This decision comes with mixed emotions, but after several months of reflection, it became clear the time was right to entrust the leadership of this most venerated organization to another to continue to build the ACA brand in this post-pandemic world,” Lund said in a press release announcing his departure.

ACA credited Lund with leading many files that fought to safeguard advertisers’ rights to market their legal products and services responsibly. Lund notably advocated against Canadian federal government attempts to regulate food and beverage advertising towards children. He also played a key role in founding the Internet Advertising Bureau of Canada, the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada and the Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada.

“Ron’s leaving marks the end of an era for ACA, and indeed the industry. In the meantime, be assured ACA’s member services and key industry initiatives are all on track and in the capable hands of the ACA team while we make this transition,” said ACA chair Moya Brown.

Past board member Esther Benzie will join the ACA as an interim advisor to help with the transition until Lund’s successor is named. The ACA, a national not-for-profit, is an advocate for Canadian marketers, representing more than 300 companies and divisions, and working to ensure a transparent and accountable marketplace.