Environics Communications marks 20 years with a big change: A new President

Agency founding President Bruce MacLellan becomes Chairman/CEO

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Environics Communications CEO, Bruce MacLellan announced today that Paul Lockhard will become President at Environics Communications effective October 6. MacLellan, the agency's founding President, will remain active within the firm as Chairman and CEO.

"After twenty years as an entrepreneur and operator, it's exciting to add Paul's innovative thinking and marketing experience to our talented team," said MacLellan.  "The world of marketing is evolving quickly, and there is a bright future for public relations agencies that have the vision and capital to seize the day. Paul's background in consumer marketing, advertising and digital enable him to navigate this ever-changing landscape. Our talented team has a keen understanding of how to reach audiences with creative ideas, compelling content and strong digital. Adding Paul shows that the innovative culture at Environics continues to grow and benefit our clients."

"Paul's communications experience marries traditional packaged goods marketing with extensive digital marketing skills gained from agency, client side and entrepreneurial experience,'" added MacLellan. "We see this as a strong addition to Environics Communications' ongoing evolution to meet our clients' needs as they make the challenging digital transformation of their business, "hard wiring" it into their organization's structures, processes, systems and incentives."

"I guess I'm really a marketing layer cake," says Lockhard. "Packaged goods marketing provides an excellent foundation or base layer of strategic discipline. I find it creates an avenue for strong alignment with senior clients who developed into their role before digital was a key ingredient. Now that digital needs to be baked into virtually every business, Environics is that translator to help integrate the new tools with the ones already in place, or even identify which ones need to be replaced altogether."

The entrepreneurial experience Paul brings to Environics Communications provides another spark of creativity to the team, as he has developed a keen eye for discovering new tools and opportunities. It also brings a practical operating discipline gained from being close to the business, and from being accountable for delivering results for clients.

"We see Paul having leadership skills that match our current business, along with others that meet the needs of where our clients are headed," says MacLellan. Lockhard has most recently served as VP and GM at EQ Works, a digital agency, and has worked previously at Labatt Breweries and Bates Advertising.

This news is the most recent announcement in a series of firsts for the communications agency, which also celebrated 20 years in business this summer. Since the start of 2013, Environics Communications has:

• Increased creative capabilities by adding Stephen Creet as Creative Director: a veteran of the advertising agency industry who has worked as Creative Director and Chief Creative Officer at various firms throughout North America, and who industry publications have named top writer in Canada four times and top creative director three times.
• Launched Agnostic, a new digital marketing brand comprised of senior-level strategists leading analysis, brand planning, digital ecosystem creation, and content development.
• Expanded public affairs and government relations services in Ottawa and Toronto to include Government Relations Specialists from the three major Canadian parties.
• Leveraged the agency's partnership with Environics Research in the multicultural marketing space with Robin Brown's inaugural book on the topic, Migration Nation.
• Undertaken a major re-design and renovation of their two-story Bloor Street office, which is currently in progress and slated for completion before the end of the year.
• Earned the ranking of the #4 best workplace in Canada by the Great Place to Work Institute.

"We are on track for the highest revenue year in our history of operations in Canada. We're a great place to work and a great agency for clients. Environics is moving from strength to strength and adding Paul will be an exciting new chapter in our progress," added MacLellan.

About Environics Communications

Founded in 1994 and now with 120 staff in Canada and the United States and annual fee income of more than $15 million, Environics Communications Inc. (EnvironicsPR.com) is a full-service, management-owned public relations and public affairs agency focusing primarily on the association/nonprofit, advanced technology, financial services, health sciences, sustainability & clean energy and consumer sectors.  The firm has won more than 230 awards for client work. Environics has a strong commitment to reducing environmental impact and in June 2008 became the first North American communications agency to be carbon neutral.  The firm has offices in Washington D.C., Toronto, Montréal and Ottawa, and affiliates throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Image with caption: "Paul Lockhard becomes the new President at Environics Communications. (CNW Group/Environics Communications, Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140909_C2865_PHOTO_EN_5521.jpg

Image with caption: "Agency founder Bruce MacLellan becomes Chairman/CEO, announces new President. (CNW Group/Environics Communications, Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140909_C2865_PHOTO_EN_5522.jpg

SOURCE: Environics Communications, Inc.

For more information, or to request an interview with Bruce or Paul please contact: Morgan Cates / Lorna Freeman, Environics Communications, 416-969-2789 / 416-969-2711, [email protected] / [email protected]