Accomplished marketer, long-time employee given expanded leadership role

VANCOUVER, EDMONTON and TORONTO, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Frank Palmer, Chairman and CEO of DDB Canada, today 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."

About DDB Canada

Named Strategy's 2009 Agency of the Year and Top Creative Agency, DDB Canada is the most creatively acclaimed, internationally recognized marketing communications agency in Canada. Known for advertising that generates significant results for clients, DDB Canada is a "total communications company" whose fundamental belief is that creativity is the most powerful force in business. DDB Canada has offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal. The agency's integrated groups include: DDB Kid Think (youth marketing), DDB Public Relations, Tribal DDB (online and interactive), Karacters Design Group, Rapp Collins (direct) and Radar DDB (social media marketing).

About DDB

DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc  (www.ddb.com) is the largest consolidated advertising and marketing services global network in the world, according to Advertising Age. DDB also has been frequently ranked as the most awarded agency network in the world by Creativity magazine and The Gunn Report, among others. In 2009 DDB was named Global Network of the Year by Campaign magazine and Tribal DDB Digital Agency of the Year by Media. With more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, the DDB Group believes that creativity is the most powerful force in business, building enduring and powerful brand experiences that create TalkValue™, influence social communities and drive results. DDB Worldwide is part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).

SOURCE DDB Worldwide

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