The Marketing Hall of Legends will induct eight Canadian industry leaders into its ranks in January from the retail world and the marketing agencies that support it.
The inductees will include:
• Jean Coutu, chairman, Jean Coutu Pharmacy, in the Visionary category
• François J. Coutu, president, CEO, Jean Coutu Pharmacy, in the Visionary category
• Chip Wilson, founder, Lululemon Athletica, in the Visionary category
• Colleen Moorehead, entrepreneur in residence, Signal Hill Equity Partners and formerly of E Trade Canada, in the Builder category
• Annette Verschuren, division president, Canada, The Home Depot, in the Builder category
• Angus Reid, chairman, Vision Critical, in the Enabler category
• Geoffrey Roche, founder, chief creative officer, Lowe Roche, in the Enabler category
• Marlene Hore, creative director, Partners and Edell and formerly of JWT, in the Mentor category.
“It’s great to be a part of the club,” Roche told Marketing. “To be in the company of Paul Lavoie, [founder of Taxi Canada and 2005 inductee] and Frank Palmer, [chairman of DDB Group Canada and 2005 inductee], it’s a great honour.”
Lavoie and Palmer were also inducted in the Enabler category which honours “communications professionals with a proven, long-term track record of providing excellent brand building expertise.”
The Visionary category is for creators of innovative brands. Builders are named for enhancing existing brands, and Mentors are those who, “through philanthropy or academic position, have provided others with the opportunity, inspiration or ability to pursue excellence in the Canadian marketing environment.”
“The more we learn about Canadian iconic businesses, the more we see the marketing leadership behind our great brands,” said Jim Warrington, co-chair of the Marketing Hall of Legends and president of Fantail Communications.
“The success of any brand is based on the people behind it, and this year’s inductees have certainly shown their unparalleled leadership in this area,” said Stéfan Danis, the event’s other co-chair and CEO of Mandrake, in a statement. “All of these talented individuals have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of excellence in the field of marketing.”
The inductees will be honoured at a gala held Jan. 25, 2010 at Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel.
