After a 10 Year Wait, the ICA Awards 3 Fellowships

For the first time in 10 years, the Institute of Canadian Agencies conferred Fellowships on three industry veterans: Brett Channer, founder and CEO, BAM Analytix; Andy Krupski, chairman, The Hive; and Greg Power, president and CEO, Weber Shandwick. 

The award of Fellow by the ICA and induction into the Agency Hall of Fame is a mark of honour awarded to those who have served with distinction either the ICA or our industry. It rewards a lifelong passion for marketing, advertising and communications, combined with a high level of professional competence and achievement. 

To reflect the prestigious nature of the award, The FICA insignia represents the recipient’s past, present and future dedication to the ICA’s mission to Amplify, Protect and Transform the industry and its people. 

“The ICA and the industry are stronger and will continue to gain global recognition thanks to these three powerhouse agency leaders,” said Scott Knox, president and CEO of the ICA, “I am certainly sharper and more determined due to their influence and support.” 

Arthur Fleischmann, 2015 Fellowship inductee, presented the Fellowships at the ICA’s Annual General Meeting earlier This month. 

Brett Channer 

Brett has always approached the business of marketing communication through a lens of innovation that led him to be a top tier award-winning copywriter early in his career. These achievements advanced him to roles of chief creative officer (CCO) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Saatchi & Saatchi along with a seat on the worldwide board, and then president and CCO of Red Lion. Currently, Brett serves as the chief executive officer of BAM®Analytix. He is the co-inventor of a ground breaking patented technology that leverages an extensive range of large-scale consumer behaviour data and transforms it into a powerful platform of real time marketing analytics. 

As well as a board member of the ICA, Brett has also been: 

• Honorary board member of the Global Israel Tennis Centres. 
• Recognized by the Reformed Rwandan Government for bringing global media attention to the atrocities during the country's civil war. 
• Inducted into the Delta Upsilon Fraternity's list of most notable members in history. 

Andy Krupski 

A graduate of McGill, Andy Krupski is the chairman of The Hive. Under Andy’s leadership, The Hive has grown by more than 500% over the past 14 years through, in part, by adding three new business units, one of which operates in the US. Andy believes generating successful results comes from developing innovative ideas that truly connect brands with their consumers. Through this approach he has applied his strategic vision to key global and North American brands such as Coca Cola, Jack Daniels, Weston, OLG, Rogers Communications, and EQ Bank. 

Prior to joining The Hive, Andy was the president and managing partner of Genesis Media Inc. president residential for Sprint Canada, and president and CEO at Grey Canada. He was also president and CEO of J. Walter Thompson, which grew to become the largest agency in the country and resulted in its recognition as one of the best-performing companies in the global agency network. Andy also held brand marketing positions at Unilever and Nestlé. 

A consummate professional driven by a passion for results, Andy’s commitment extends beyond the agency boardroom into community involvement. He was chairman of the Special Olympics Canada and was on the board and executive committee for 14 years. Andy was also a board member of the Women’s Brain Health Foundation, an entity formed to fund research to understand why women have a 70% higher propensity for brain related diseases relative to men. 

Greg Power 

Greg Power brings 35+ years of experience in communications and operational leadership to his role as president and CEO for Weber Shandwick Canada. 

Greg specializes in C-suite communications, advice and strategy, master storytelling narratives, and crisis and issues management, supporting companies such as RBC, McDonald’s, Air Canada and GM. His agency experience includes senior executive roles at Cossette, Edelman, Hill & Knowlton and Rapp Collins.

Greg is a graduate of McGill and has a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University. A former journalist, Greg has produced radio documentaries for CBC Radio and Radio Canada International.