Part trend-forecaster, part-futurist, Bell is a seasoned journalist with an in-depth knowledge of the consumer marketplace and mindset. Bell’s consumer expertise drives many of WGSN’s consumer advisory projects where she work closely with clients (ranging from CPG to Fashion) to create consumer roadmaps, personas, generational points-of-entry, and communication plans that...show more

Speaking on: Lunch and Learn; Keynote: Content Cues for a new decade: WGSN breaks down key consumer trends

Monica Bialobrzeski is the Creative Lead at Globe Content Studio and Show Producer of The Sound Of, an arts/lifestyle podcast in partnership with Lincoln. Monica has experience working in advertising agencies, media companies and production houses in Canada and Europe, providing a mixed expertise in creative strategy, production and creative...show more

Speaking on: Globe Media Group Upfront: How brands can make podcasts people will listen to

After studying Fashion Communications at Ryerson, Jodi Blackburn worked as a Social Media Specialist + Content Creator in the beauty industry. In 2014 she created her lifestyle blog, JodiBlk.com as a creative outlet to share her passion for photography and creating a wardrobe of timeless essentials. Blackburn now works as...show more

Speaking on: Influencer content 2.0

Pete Breton joins Anomaly with a background of leading the Creative departments at some of Canada's largest and most awarded agencies.

A graduate of McGill University, Breton started his advertising career in Account Management working on Kellogg's, Bell Mobility, Cadbury and P&G. Having helped launch successful strategic campaigns as a suit,...show more

Speaking on: Hershey’s: Achieving cultural authenticity

Sarah Caron has been with Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) since 2006. She has extensive experience in consumer marketing and corporate communications.

As the Manager of Corporate Programs and Partnerships, Caron focused on EFC’s social responsibility initiatives with the goal of fostering public trust in Canadian farmers and the egg industry....show more

Speaking on: Cracking the diversity code: Egg Farmers of Canada

Julia Cooper is the Manager of Growth and Marketing at KOHO, Canada's leading challenger bank. She holds a PhD in literature from the University of Toronto, and cut her teeth in operations and communications at lululemon's HQ. Her book, The Last Word, was named one of the Globe and Mail's...show more

Speaking on: How to grow your audience investment: a KOHO guide

An innovative and transformational marketer with a reputation for strategic thinking, Lauren Dineen-Duarte leads both public relations and social media strategy and advertising for American Express Canada. Since joining the company in 2008, she has been responsible for developing and driving the communications strategy, content development initiatives and paid media...show more

Speaking on: Influencer content 2.0

Mathieu Gamache is a seasoned marketing professional with 14 years of experience at tier 1 companies including Kraft, McDonald’s and Hershey’s.

At Kraft Canada, he managed storied brands like Kraft Dinner and Kraft Singles and made a mark for himself as leader of the dairy Innovation team where he developed...show more

Speaking on: Hershey’s: Achieving cultural authenticity

Rosie Gentile is one of Canada’s top 1:1 marketing strategic leaders with more than 20 years of Integrated, Direct and Digital marketing experience. She currently leads experience design for Cossette in Toronto.

Her client experience encompasses all sectors including automotive, consumer packaged goods, retail, telecommunications, media and...show more

Speaking on: Cracking the diversity code: Egg Farmers of Canada

Heather began her career in Digital Sales at CHUM Television, working on Canada’s Music Station, MuchMusic, and Citytv. She has since gone on to work on numerous premium broadcast brands including MTV, The Comedy Network, Bravo, and Space.

In 2015, Heather moved to Canada’s national broadcaster, the CBC/Radio-Canada, where she works...show more

Speaking on: CBC Upfront: What marketers need to know about podcasts

Sydney Hoffman is a twenty-something blogger who uses her space on the 'gram to connect with people from around the world on everything from fashion and travel to pups and romance. When she's not on the job, you'll find her catching up with her sisters, prepping for the next holiday...show more

Speaking on: Influencer content 2.0

Fueled by a passion for the arts and her desire to showcase Canadian talent, Laura Hughes is a seasoned communicator with fifteen years of professional experience in media relations, public relations and issues management. Currently the Senior Manager of Communications with the Shaw Festival, Laura has held positions with numerous...show more

Speaking on: Influencer content 2.0

Natalie Lucas is a seasoned marketer with cross industry experience, developing strategies for a range of verticals from automotive to retail and CPG. At Labatt, where she’s been for the past 4.5 years, Lucas has been an integral part of a number of impressive campaigns.  She spearheaded the launch of Budweiser Stage...show more

Speaking on: Bud Light: Building an LDA+ audience via entertainment

An integral part of The Content Advisory Cathy helps organizations transform the way technology can enable business strategy and performance. In her current role, Cathy has helped dozens of companies realize their content and marketing/communication objectives. With 20 years of global experience and expertise in content strategy, content management, intranets,...show more

Speaking on: Keynote:Reinventing content marketing: the 2020 business strategy; Lunch and Learn

Leslie Merklinger is the Senior Director of Audio Innovation at the CBC. She launched CBC
Podcasts in 2015 and serves as its creative and strategic head.

Under Leslie’s leadership, CBC has become Canada’s #1 Podcast publisher with a slate that
has earned multiple awards, critical reviews, regular presence on Best Of...show more

Speaking on: CBC Upfront: What marketers need to know about podcasts

Robin Neufeld, MBA, CM is the Director of Content Marketing at the CBC, leading the team who devises custom content and ad media innovations for CBC's brand partners.

Robin is a graduate of the Rotman School of Business with a specialization in Brand Marketing. She launched her career in the brand...show more

Speaking on: CBC Upfront: What marketers need to know about podcasts

For almost a decade, Brooke has worked to align brands with lifestyle pillars including film, fashion, music and pop culture. Starting her career with youth-focused media brands like MuchMusic and MTV, she moved to the Partnerships team at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), before returning to Bell Media to expand...show more

Speaking on: Bell Media Upfront-Brand storytelling in 2020 and beyond

Rob Norman is a Canadian Comedy and Canadian Screen Award-winning comedian and actor.  He is co-creator of the CBC podcast Personal Best, which Time Magazine calls "easily one of the funniest podcasts on air".

Other credits include CBC's Because News, Baroness Von Sketch, and co-starring in the CityTV sketch show Sunnyside.  

Speaking on: CBC Upfront: What marketers need to know about podcasts

Berkeley Poole is the VP of Creative at Tokyo Smoke Brands (Canopy Growth Corporation), a dynamic, innovative Canadian cannabis company, where she oversees and drives the creative for Tokyo Smoke, Van der Pop, Doja and Maitri.

Her role and responsibilities include the visual content language for the brands from store design,...show more

Speaking on: Tokyo Smoke: Managing a content program in a highly regulated space

Kiran Rana is the Content Strategist and Executive Producer of podcasts for Globe Content Studio. She’s produced several acclaimed podcasts including season one and two of the tech startup podcast I’ll Go First, A.I. Meets World with Microsoft and the recently launched Money Moves, an investing podcast created in partnership...show more

Speaking on: Globe Media Group Upfront: How brands can make podcasts people will listen to

Rachel Rayne is a Sr. Marketing Manager, Car & Truck portfolio at Toyota Canada in Toronto responsible for all National Tier 1 nameplate marketing. She manages the strategic connections planning & communications development for all Toyota vehicles with a priority on new vehicle launches & volume vehicles. Rayne recently oversaw...show more

Speaking on: Toyota: The new lane for branded content; Lunch and Learn

As Head of Brand Partnerships for TSN, Jamie and his team work closely with brands to develop best-in-class content and media partnerships with a focus on story-telling, integration, customer service and innovation.

Leveraging Bell Media’s unrivalled asset mix, the team can help take brands to the next level by providing a...show more

Speaking on: Bell Media Upfront-Brand storytelling in 2020 and beyond

Kelly Steward is a candid and creative Senior Marketing Leader at the helm of Marketing, Digital and Communications at Swoop – Canada’s leading ultra-low fare airline. Having worked with big brands, bold start-ups and purpose-driven local businesses, the common theme throughout Steward‘s career has been one of building brands and...show more

Speaking on: Swoop: How to run a content-led and data-informed strategy on a tight budget; Lunch and Learn

A UK native, Mark Tomblin worked for the majority of his advertising career in London - first in account management at some of the most renowned independent British agencies, such as Leagas Delaney, CDP and WCRS, before moving into senior strategy roles at Publicis and Y&R.

His final job in London...show more

Speaking on: Lunch and Learn; CSO P.O.V.- Why we must never forget the brand in branded content

André Turcotte is Senior Director of Audience Research at CBC. He is also Associate Professor at Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication where he lectures in research methods, political communication and public opinion research.

A native of Montréal, André holds a PhD in Political Behaviour from the University of Toronto...show more

Speaking on: CBC Upfront: What marketers need to know about podcasts

With more than 20 years of experience in communications, brand marketing, digital strategy and e-commerce, Sébastien Viau is a widely recognized expert in the tourism and marketing industries.

Known for his natural instinct in developing innovative solutions, both digital and traditional, and for proven outcomes, since 2016 he...show more

Speaking on: Curating content relevance: Quebec Tourism; Lunch and Learn

Jani Yates joined Ad Standards in 2016, as President and Chief Executive Officer. A leader in the Canadian advertising industry, Yates has 30+ years of industry experience, most recently at the Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA)  as President for nine years. Before ICA, Yates held various senior roles at  leading...show more

Speaking on: Lunch and Learn; Influencer content 2.0