We more or less weathered the recession storm and 2011 is upon us. We want to stay relevant and ahead of the curve in this fast changing world of technological innovations, media consumption and consumer trends. Join us for a refreshing, candid discussion with three of Vancouver’s most respected creative agencies and find out what strategies they are committing to for 2011.

Tom Shepansky
Founding Partner, Rethink Canada

After gaining experience at two Edmonton agencies, Tom moved to Vancouver to work at Palmer Jarvis, where he advanced to the role of director of client services. In 1999, Tom founded Rethink with his two creative partners— Chris and Ian.

At Rethink, Tom helps drive the strategic process in both Vancouver and Toronto. With his help, clients get the right strategy that ultimately leads to the best creative idea. Tom also manages the business side of Rethink —  negotiating contracts and ensuring the agency delivers on its promise. On top of that, he plays a leadership role within the account service, production, administration and accounting groups, and provides direction on IT and finance.

Lance Saunders
Executive Vice President, Managing Director, DDB Canada

New to Vancouver and to DDB Canada, Lance provides a fresh perspective to Vancouver marketers.  He recently joined DDB from Campbell Mithun in Minneapolis, where he was executive vice president and director of strategic planning. In this role, he was providing clients with creative brand messaging across all channels. Prior to that he had an impressive 20-year tenure at Leo Burnett in Toronto, where he last served as senior vice president, managing partner, and planning director.  An exceptional marketer, he has provided strategic planning expertise to many top brands across many categories, including tourism, packaged goods, retail, financial services, beverage and telecommunications.

In his new role at DDB Canada, Lance works in concert with the agency’s account leaders, strategic planners, media experts and creative teams to determine the most effective approach for any given business challenge.

Stefan Hawes
Managing Director, TBWA\Vancouver

As Managing Director at TBWA\Vancouver, Stefan Hawes has over fifteen years of experience building brands and developing integrated communications programs.

After a B.Com. in marketing from McGill University, Stefan joined Palmer Jarvis Advertising in 1995. In 1999 he transferred to DDB San Francisco where he started up, worked for and ended up managing the agency’s interactive division, Tribal DDB. Here Stefan oversaw all interactive work for The Clorox Company, which included brands such as Hidden Valley Ranch, STP, Brita, Glad and Johnny Cat.

In 2002, Stefan decided to return home to Canada, rejoining DDB Vancouver, where he became a Group Account Director overseeing that agency’s development of advertising for TELUS’s wireline products. A few years later he decided to move to the client side, where he assumed the role of VP Marketing at Coastal Contacts, a global online retailer of vision care products. Most recently, in 2008, Stefan returned to the agency business, joining TBWA\Vancouver as Director of Client Services, where he was promoted to Managing Director a year later.