Judging Panel

Emily Bain
Partner/strategic planning director, John St.

Bain began her career at Leo Burnett where she uncovered the insight behind the “Really, really comfortable underwear” campaign for Fruit of the Loom. She was named one of Canada’s first directors of strategic planning while at Ammirati & Puris, and at John St. she has created strategic platforms for over 50 brands, as well as a values-based segmentation study that’s been the foundation for much of their most effective work. She is seriously addicted to orange, loves everything Scottish and brings her Wheaton-Poo, Charlie, to work.

Bianca Barbucci
VP/GM, TVA Boutiques

Since August 2008, Barbucci has led the retail operation at TVA Boutiques, the largest French TV network in Canada. She is currently president of the Conseil de l’industrie et des communications du Québec (CICQ), and was formerly president of the Quebec Relationship Marketing Association (AMR) for eight years. Barbucci’s 18 years on the agency side (1989 to 2007) includes two years at Publicis Montreal, and 15 years at FCB Direct (currently Draftfcb). As an independent marketing and business consultant, she has worked with clients including Reader’s Digest, Green Rewards (now Air Miles-Myplanet) and Scotiabank International.

Ivy Ho
Director of communications & marketing, Downtown Halifax Business Commission

Ho has been working in communications and marketing for close to 20 years. Previously, she worked in the arts and entertainment sector, mainly for non-profit arts organizations in film, television and theatre, and as an independent communications consultant. She has been with the Downtown Halifax Business Commission for the last four years, most recently spearheading a social media ad campaign involving bloggers recruited to write about their unique experience in downtown Halifax.

Janet McNally
VP strategic planning, Lowe Roche

Over the course of her 20-year career, McNally has worked across marketing disciplines in both the client and agency worlds, finally finding her home in strategic planning. After honing her brand-building skills at agencies such as J. Walter Thompson and Leo Burnett, McNally joined Lowe Roche in 2000, where she soon became the strategic planning group head. She has contributed to many of the agency’s award wins including a coveted CASSIES Best Insight award.

Risto Scott
Marketing director, Billabong Canada

Born in Scotland, Scott moved to Canada at the young age of two. After a 10-year professional snowboard career (and off seasons spent studying marketing communications at BCIT), Scott moved to the other side of the business and began a career in the marketing department at Billabong in 2003 as West Coast marketing coordinator. He took over marketing director duties in 2007.

Barbara Smith
Director of brand engagement, the Globe and Mail

Smith joined the Globe two years ago, after a long and notable career in advertising. She managed to catch the end of the Mad Men era which, she says, wasn’t really all that fun, nor were the men that good looking. Smith worked on some of Canada’s premier brands, including Yellow Pages (launching its first brand campaign), Imperial Oil, General Motors, CIBC and Bell Canada, as well as directing the first North American brand campaign for Turkish tourism. She also led the federal government’s Canada Savings Bonds account for 10 years, and launched the CATSA brand, as well as the Ontario Government’s Early Years Centres.

Muriel Solomon
VP marketing strategy, specialty channels, Canwest

Solomon oversees marketing and publicity activities across 19 TV channels, including Food Network, HGTV, Showcase and History Television. In her 10 years in broadcasting, Solomon has spearheaded some of the industry’s most creative and successful series and channel launches, resulting in numerous national and international awards. Prior to her work in TV, Solomon was a business consultant and spent five years in brand management at Heinz.

Theresa Treutler
President & CEO, Television Bureau of Canada

Treutler has over 25 years of agency experience in both strategic planning and executional disciplines. She began her career at Ogilvy & Mather, and then spent the majority of her agency years at Leo Burnett, working with clients such as Kellogg’s, Visa, Diageo, Buena Vista and Procter & Gamble. In her role as president of TVB Canada, she leads a team of research analysts and business writers as well as the telecaster group. She is also an active member of a number of boards and committees working on behalf of the television industry.

Chris Williams
Managing director, Media Contacts

Williams has worked in interactive marketing for as long as it has existed. His experience spans client strategy and creative at agencies such as Arnold Advertising and BBDO Canada in addition to online media at Media Contacts. He has developed integrated strategic and creative solutions for such clients as Audi, Toronto Tourism, Bank of Montreal, Canadian Tourism Commission, Monster.ca, Pepsi, Miller Brewing (US), Chrysler, Apple, Bell Canada, Fedex and Chapters.ca. Awards include John Caples and CDMA RSVP.