Rapp Canada hires seasoned direct marketer as Associate CD

Barb Williams returns to a share leadership of the agency's creative direction

TORONTO, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - Rapp Canada, DDB Canada's integrated database and customer relationship-marketing (CMR) group, is pleased to announce that Barb Williams R.G.D. has returned to the Toronto office as associate creative director.

Williams will partner with ML Lalonde to lead and build the Rapp Canada's creative team, strengthening their reputation as relentless pursuers of winning ideas.

She will spearhead the creative for a number of clients, including Scotiabank, Plan Canada, Sick Kids Foundation and Canadian Blood Services.  Her strength in developing creative business solutions for a diverse group of clients comes from her lessons learned during 18 years in the industry.

"Barb's creativity and strong strategic thinking inspires clients and colleagues alike," says Amanda Mitchell, managing director, Rapp Canada.  "She and ML are a proven team and together they will help build our clients' brands through insight driven, targeted communication."  

Williams worked as an art director at Communicaide when they merged with Rapp Collins in 1997.  After three years in Dubai, she returned to work for Rapp Collins in 2000, working with Lalonde and the group for over seven years before leaving to work for DDB partner agency, MVNP, in Hawaii.  At the time of her departure she held the position of associate creative director and now she's glad to be back, guiding the group's creative direction with her strategic vision and international experience.

"I operate from the perspective that every project, regardless of size should be treated as a one to one conversation," says Williams.  "There are so many opportunities to get people talking and engaged with our brands it can sometimes be too broad of a stroke.  The best ideas come from having the sharpest focus."

"Together, ML and I bring a little 'Ad Fab' to the group in an effort to continually inspire our teams and make Rapp an amazing place to be," adds Williams.

Barb has won a number of awards during her career, including Canadian Marketing Awards (CMAs), Direct Marketing Awards, NAAMUs and Communicator Awards.  She has been a judge for the CMAs and is an accredited member of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers.

About Rapp Canada

Rapp Canada (www.rappcanada.com) is part of the Rapp Worldwide network, a global leader in direct response and customer relationship marketing.  Rapp works collaboratively with clients to develop innovative communication strategies and results-driven creative solutions. Rapp Canada is an integrated business unit of Canada's top creative communications agency, DDB Canada (www.ddbcanada.com) Select clients include Scotiabank, Plan Canada, Sick Kids Foundation, Canadian Blood Services and Subaru Canada.

For further information:

Paige Calvert
604.608.4421
[email protected]