Our Speakers

• Shawn King

  President & CCO, Extreme Group

  Topic: What the Hell Are We Doing Here Anyway?

  When Shawn isn’t leading or creating, he’s inspiring. With over 20 years in the business and shelves full of national and international awards to his credit, Shawn continues to instill a passion for creativity, common sense and drive throughout his agency. He’s been a judge at awards shows across the country, contributes to regional and national marketing publications on a regular basis, and became the first Atlantic Canadian to fill the role of Co-Chair at the Marketing Awards. One part business, one part creative and all parts passion, he’s a unique breed who brings a “why not” attitude to the work and the belief creativity can solve just about anything. Someone once said “common sense ain’t so common.” That’s because Shawn took it all. He’s a helluva guy that you want in your corner.

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• Susan Kim-Kirkland

  President & CEO, JWT Canada

  Topic: BRAND: YOU – Understand, Develop, Succeed.

  Susan has a wealth of experience in consumer brand marketing on both the client and agency side. She is passionate about mentoring and developing talented individuals into outstanding communications professionals.

  A dynamic leader with an entrepreneurial spirit and distinct vision for the future, Susan has championed a way of working that marries JWT’s historic strengths with the speed and innovation of retail culture. Prior to her appointment as CEO, Susan was EVP, Managing Director of JWT Canada, leading the agency’s Walmart business. She previously held agency positions in senior account management and strategic planning, and has a wide range of client experience, particularly in retail and CPG categories. Susan also served as Marketing Director at Kellogg Canada, and ran her own boutique agency.

  Outside of work, Susan enjoys time at home with her husband, two daughters and dogs.

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• Paul Regan

  Senior Director, Global Digital Marketing, Scotiabank

  Topic: Innovation and the Art of Letting Go

  Paul has championed digital thinking for over 20 years, and enjoys ‘nudging’ organizations to re-imagine the way they think to get things done.

  In previous roles, he led site redesigns for Fidelity Investments and defined new online business models for The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper. He is currently evolving the digital marketing strategy at Scotiabank for domestic retail banking.

  Paul is a graduate of MIT’s Advanced Digital Leadership program, the University of Toronto’s eBusiness Management program, and the University of British Columbia’s Internet Marketing program. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from The Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

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Our Host

• Phil Sylver

  Creative Director, Extreme Group

  Phil has a natural curiosity that drives him to dig deeper.

  About Phil

  Phil has a natural curiosity that drives him to dig deeper and come up with unique and ownable ways for brands to build long-term success. His fully-integrated “Nothing to Hide” campaign for Miller Genuine Draft helped contribute to double-digit growth three years in a row.

  Phil honed his skills at boutique agencies like TAXI, Bensimon Byrne and Downtown Partners. Along the way, he picked up national and international awards for his work across all media, including TV, Digital and Non-Traditional. In his last stop before Extreme’s Toronto office, Phil was the creative director at The Hive, an experiential marketing firm, where he helped catapult the shop to one of Marketing Magazine’s Top 10 Agencies in Canada.

  Like most people, Phil’s greatest creative was conceived in the shower. His 2 boys are a constant reminder that unless you make something interesting, nobody will listen.

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