Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends unveils 2022 inductees

by Chris Powell

Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends has announced six inductees for its class of 2022. They include a late titan of the sponsorship industry; a law firm partner with an extensive background in marketing law; an accomplished production executive; the leader of an iconic global fashion brand; and one of the country’s creative luminaries and leaders.

This year’s selection committee, led by 2020 inductee and former Kruger Products CMO Nancy Marcus, broke with tradition by selecting the first-ever representatives from the commercial production, sponsorship and legal sectors for induction into the Hall of Legends.

“This year’s inductees into Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends are exceptional trailblazers from parts of the industry that we have not previously focused on,” said Marcus.

This year’s inductees are:

  • Chris Lang, former chairman, Lang Partnerships Network;
  • Zak Mroueh, founder and chief creative officer, Zulu Alpha Kilo;
  • Brenda Pritchard, partner, Gowling WLG;
  • Dani Reiss, president and CEO, Canada Goose;
  • Edie Weiss, president and CEO, Radke Film Group

“Each of these diverse Canadians has elevated our industry in Canada and on the international stage and are being recognized for their remarkable leadership achievements,” said Tina Portillo, president of AMA Toronto, the association that runs CMHOL. “Through the Marketing Hall of Legends, their career stories are celebrated to inspire us, share wisdom, and ultimately help empower new leadership and business growth throughout our community.”

The recipient of this year’s Marketer on the Rise, which celebrates “the next generation of influential marketing leaders,” is Marie Chevrier Schwartz, the founder and CEO of digital product sampling company Sampler.

“I hope that in being recognized as a Marketer-on-the-Rise, I can inspire other marketers with a unique perspective on a part of our industry to trust their gut and to bring forward their innovative ideas within their organizations or to take the leap into entrepreneurship as I did,” said Schwartz. “Thank you to AMA Toronto for this incredible honour, and to the Sampler team for continuing to push the boundaries of our space.”

More than 100 people have been inducted into Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends since 2004. The inductees will be honoured and formally inducted by AMA Toronto at an in-person event on May. 12.

Chris Lang:  “It is an absolute honour to see Chris Lang inducted into Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends,” said Mike Lang, CEO of Lang Partnerships and brother of Chris, who died last summer. “Chris had the unique ability to transition his thinking on sponsorships and partnerships within the global marketplace for over 50 years. It was a gift to work with him. Chris mentored and guided many of the top marketing leaders in Canadian business and now, as the industry looks forward, within the sphere of corporate partnerships, the future of this industry now belongs to passionate innovators following in the steps of Chris Lang.”

Zak Mroueh: “When I look at all the inductees… I see so many faces who inspired me when I first started. It’s humbling to be featured alongside many of my heroes. I’m thankful for all the mentors, marketers, and creative collaborators who have helped shape my journey.” 

Brenda Pritchard: “I am extremely honoured to be the recipient of an award that reflects the power of creativity. When I began my law career, marketing lawyers were considered “Dr. No”—a major roadblock to the creative process. I am humbled to now be inducted among these talented and innovative marketers who have blazed the trail before me.”

Dani Reiss: “It is a privilege to be inducted into Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends alongside so many incredible Canadian leaders from over the years. I am grateful for this recognition and for all that we’ve achieved, and share it with the passionate team at the heart of Canada Goose.”

Edie Weiss: “I am deeply moved that I was chosen to be the first recipient from the commercial film production industry. Giving back has always been a hallmark of the amazing past legends, so I attribute this tremendous honour to my efforts creating POV, an organization that creates opportunities for diverse young people to have meaningful careers in TV, film or advertising production.”

Chris Powell