Vancouver :Frank Palmer, Chairman and CEO of DDB Canada, has announced that David Leonard has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of DDB Canada. He was previously President of DDB Canada’s Toronto office.
“David’s promotion recognizes his many achievements, his long-standing dedication and loyalty to DDB, as well as his important role in the future of our agency,” said Palmer.
As President and COO, Leonard will continue to manage DDB Canada’s Toronto operation and will oversee the management of the agency’s Edmonton and Vancouver offices. He will also work closely with Palmer to develop new business and help steer the agency’s overall business strategy.
“DDB Canada is an amazingly creative agency that’s continuing to achieve some remarkable milestones,” said Leonard. “My new role is to ensure our Canadian operations continue to deliver the best marketing solutions possible to our clients. I’ll be providing a renewed focus and direction to keep our operations nimble and future-ready, and advance DDB’s leadership position in the industry.”
Leonard first joined the agency in 1994, when it was known as Palmer Jarvis and over a period of seven years worked his way up to Senior, VP, Group Account Director. He was part of a remarkable, successful team that revolutionized “PJ” and helped transition the agency when it merged with DDB Worldwide in 1999.
Leonard left DDB in 2001 to gain valuable leadership experience as president and CEO of Arnold Worldwide in Toronto. When the opportunity arose in 2005, he returned to head up DDB Canada’s Toronto office. Under his direction, the Toronto office has continued to grow and significantly contribute to the overall success of DDB Canada. Producing award-winning work for clients such as Subaru, Capital One and Canadian Blood Services, the Toronto office has played an important role in DDB Canada winning Strategy magazine’s 2007 and 2009 Agency of the Year competitions.
“I felt strongly that whoever would eventually assume this important role should come from within the agency,” continued Palmer. “In my view, we’re fortunate to have someone of David’s caliber who is ready to step into this position. David’s appointment allows us to again provide added emphasis to our company’s long-term and national development.”