Maria Kennedy to Lead Grey in Vancouver and Take on Expanded Role as National Design Director

TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Stephanie Nerlich, President and CEO of Grey Canada and Tim Johnson President, Grey Vancouver, today announced that Maria Kennedy is joining Grey as Managing Director, Vancouver and National Design Director.

In this new role, Maria will be responsible for the agency's output across all disciplines in Vancouver. With over 25 years in advertising and design, Maria's background and leadership is key to insuring that the creative product lives up to the 'Famously Effective' mission Grey has for all of its clients.

"Maria has been an art director, a designer, a creative director and a President," says Grey Canada CEO Stephanie Nerlich. "She has led advertising and digital teams, as well as run a successful branding and design firm, and will strengthen our commitment to excellence in creative across Canada by being part of the National management team. Maria's appointment reflects the commitment we have to creative leadership in all forms, advertising, digital and design."

Previously, Maria was the President and Creative Director of Karacters Design Group at DDB, growing it to a staff of 35, with offices in Vancouver and Toronto. In 2007 Maria left Karacters to create her own branding and design firm, Seed Ideas.

"Under Stephanie's leadership, and the addition of Patrick Scissons, Grey has undergone a creative make-over that has energized the agency." says Maria. "I am looking forward to turning some heads with the creative product in Vancouver, strengthening our clients business, and attracting new clients that might not be as familiar with what we have to offer."

Maria's clients have included Shoppers Drug Mart, Sobeys, Vancity, McDonalds Restaurants, SunRype Products and VANOC.

About Grey Canada

Grey Canada is a unit of Grey, the advertising network of Grey Group. Grey Group ranks among the largest global communications companies. Its parent company is WPP (NASDAQ:WPPGY). Under the banner of "Grey Famously Effective Since 1917," Grey Canada serves many of Canada's and the world's best known companies: Diageo, Eli Lilly, Energizer Platyex, GlaxoSmithKline Inc., Procter & Gamble, South Coast BC Transportation Authority/TransLink, Special Olympics Canada, Warner Bros., WIRELESSWAVE, and Tbooth wireless. Website: www.GreyCanada.com)

Contact: Stephanie Nerlich
416-486-7244
[email protected]

SOURCE Grey

http://www.GreyCanada.com