VML Canada names new senior vice president, national head of production

Steve Emmens (pictured above) has joined VML Canada as its new senior VP and national head of production.

Emmens is charged with elevating VML’s production capabilities across the agency’s Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver offices.

He was most recently manager of integrated productions at DDB Canada and Juniper Park\TBWA, working on brands such as Apple, Nissan, PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, Pfizer and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Emmens says the merger of Taxi and Wunderman Thompson Canada into VML has created a powerhouse agency, and his primary goal is to create magic, but also to streamline production processes while maintaining high standards of quality, value and efficiency.

Graham Lang, chief creative officer for VML Canada, says Emmens has a wealth of industry knowledge. “He is the ultimate creative partner when it comes to production and his ability to problem solve while always elevating the craft is absolutely legendary,” Lang says.

Emmens’ more than 30-year career has also seen him work with Crispin Porter + Bogusky, and Leo Burnett. He also spent time as a freelance producer working with Cossette, FCB and BBDO.

He was awarded a Glass Cannes Lion for the Canadian Women’s Foundation “Signal For Help” campaign, which was one of only eight awarded by the Glass Lions jury in 2022 and earned a Gold in the category dedicated to combating inequality and prejudice.

In May, VML Canada named Jeremy Singer its Canada strategy director. Its client roster includes Volkswagen, St. Louis Bar & Grill and Rick Hansen Foundation.

Leslie McCarley resigns from Women’s College Hospital Foundation

Women’s College Hospital Foundation president and CEO Leslie McCarley (pictured above) is stepping aside after only 11 months with the University of Toronto-affiliated teaching hospital.

In a social media post, McCarley said she was proud of her many accomplishments during her tenure, particularly the institution’s “significant boost in fundraising momentum,” saying that the team achieved many “first – best – only” moments together.

Prior to her president and CEO role, McCarley was most recently VP of advancement for the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR). She was also was senior director of philanthropy and campaigns for theoretical physics research hub, Perimeter Institute. For four years, she was also VP of development for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Founded in 1883, Women’s College Hospital is home to one of the only hospital-based research institutes in the world dedicated to women’s health.

Familiprix, Shoppers, Pharmaprix veteran retires

Bernard Godbout (pictured right), vice president of merchandising and marketing at indie pharmacist network, Familiprix, is retiring.

Godbout joined Familiprix as its VP of marketing in 2019. Prior to this role, Godbout served as vice president of operations at Shoppers Drug Mart, and director of marketing for Pharmaprix for nearly a dozen years.

Godbout served more than four decades in the food and pharma industries. He held senior executives roles at Metro, Sobeys and Loblaw.

Familiprix’s footprint includes 400 pharmacist-owned Quebec and New Brunswick locations.