• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, March 3, 2010

It's been a while since former Madison Avenue media star David Verklin has addressed the Four As, and the last time, it didn't go over too well, when he pinch-hit at the last minute and took the stage with one of his patented "crackle of change" speeches that left many in attendance grumbling about why they should listen to the former Carat chief telling them where their businesses are going.

So it was indeed a surprise to see Verklin show up Tuesday as a previously unannounced guest speaker,especially when he's still brandishing some arrows in his back from some of some of the fits and falsestarts of Canoe Ventures, where he is currently CEO.  But it's always nice to see his face.

Canoe's Verklin makes a surprise appearance.