• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, September 7, 2017

GroupM, the media investment arm of WPP, has for the first time appointed a CEO for its Canadian operations -- Stuart Garvie, who will officially assume the new post in early October. Garvie is joining the firm from Toronto-based media owner Bell Media, where he most recently served as president of sales. 

Garvie will lead GroupM’s executive committee in Canada, which includes the CEOs of Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker (the new agency created by the merger of MEC and Maxus), Xaxis and Catalyst. He will remain based in Toronto, and will report to Kelly Clark, GroupM global CEO. 

The appointment marks Garvie’s return to GroupM Canada. Prior to Bell Media, Garvie served as GroupM Canada’s chief commercial officer from 2013 to 2015. During this time, he established GroupM’s digital trading desk operations. 

Prior to moving to Canada, Garvie was based in London, where he held global leadership positions at GroupM agency Maxus. His background also includes senior client roles with Danone and Reckitt Benckiser. 

“Stuart’s well-rounded experience from client, agency and media company roles gives him a unique view on helping marketers win in a very competitive business environment,” Clark stated. 

“Canada is GroupM’s seventh-largest global market, and we have great growth prospects in English- and French-speaking Canada” added Clark. “Stuart will work with our talented executive team to challenge the status quo and innovate for the benefit of our clients, our agencies, and our people.”