Gut adds two ex-Rethinkers as creative directors
Mat Cruz (left) is joining Gut as its new creative director, based out of the Toronto office. Gut also named ex-Rethink ACD Alex Smith (right) to the CD role based in New York.
For two years, Cruz served as an ACD for Rethink, also in Toronto. Before joining Rethink, Cruz was an associate creative director and art director with BBDO Worldwide/Toronto. He has worked on brand accounts such as Kraft Heinz, Molson, Ford, IKEA and Kijiji. His work has been recognized by Cannes, One Show and the Clios.
Smith, who is originally from Alberta, is also a former Anomaly and Juniper Park\TBWA writer. His brand work includes campaigns for Apple, Kraft Heinz, Casper and Doritos. Smith’s work has also been recognized at Cannes, One Show and the Clios.
Leo Burnett Canada promotes senior art director to ACD
Matthew McDonald is starting a new position as associate creative director at Leo Burnett Canada. McDonald previously held the role of senior art director at Leo Burnett, joining the shop in 2021.
Previously, McDonald was senior art director with Cossette and senior art director with The Martin Agency, based out of Richmond, Virginia. His client work includes Geico, Walmart, Pizza Hut, Purina, Enbridge, Vector cereal and Montreal Children’s Hospital.
People Agency adds three brand advisors
People (PPL), the agency founded last summer by former SVP of strategy at Brand Momentum, Stephanie Fournier, has added three brand advisors, Tessa-Rae Hansen, Sebastian Pena and Michael Vassi.
Last fall, People added Ashlee Harper as the shop’s brand experience and training executive and Katherine Wilson as group operations administrator.
PPL, a female-owned and operated shop, started to be disruptive to the industry and become a “beacon of empowerment,” the agency says. According to Fournier, PPL is “largely FMCG focused but covering brands across all product categories.”
NKPR names new director of operations
Alice Buckley, formerly of Longtime Rock-It Promotions, is joining NKPR as the shop’s director of operations.
As Rock-It’s director of operations, Buckley was responsible for business development of RFI and RFP responses, deck building and pitching new clients and for all internal financial and accounting processes.
