After nearly more than five years as CEO of IPG Mediabrands Canada, Graham Moysey is leaving the agency and will be replaced by Shelley Smit as CEO effective Oct. 16.
Smit has been with IPG agency UM for almost 15 years, and was CEO for the past two years.
“Her remarkable track record of innovation and sustained growth during her tenure at UM, coupled with her extensive client-side experience, positions her as the ideal leader to steer one of our most successful markets,” said Jim Hytner, global COO of IPG Mediabrands.
IPG said that Smit was instrumental in the launch of UM in Canada in 2009. “Under her leadership, UM has continued to dominate the RECMA rankings, securing the #1 spot for Canadian agencies since 2020,” said the release announcing her appointment.
“I take immense pride in what our team at UM has achieved over the past decade in collaboration with our incredible partners across our network,” said Smit.
Moysey, meanwhile, has held senior roles in media for more than 20 years, including VP stints with first Bell and then CanWest. He joined AOL as country manager in 2010, later taking on global roles including its London-based head of international for more than three years before joining IPG in early 2018.
Reached for comment late Thursday, Moysey said that he “decided to step back. It’s been an awesome five years and I’m super proud of the work that we that we accomplished.
“I’m really excited for Shelley and the Canadian [leadership team]. Shelley’s unbelievable, and she will be incredible in that role.”
“I’d like to thank Graham for his contribution to IPG Mediabrands Canada,” said Hytner. “In his time with us, he helped us progress to become the second-largest holding company in Canada, overseeing significant growth. He leaves behind a superb leadership team, which is a testament to his contribution to us.”
With Smit’s promotion to CEO, the company also announced that Ben Seaton will take her place at CEO of UM, reporting to Smit.
“Over the last eight years, Ben has been a driving force in the success of our clients’ businesses in Canada,” said Smit in the release. “His passion, expertise, and dedication both within our agency and in the industry have not only propelled our agency towards greater achievements, but have enriched our culture..”
Key UM clients include BMO, Sobeys, PokerStars, and Johnson & Johnson.
Before joining UM in 2015, Seaton held client-side positions at major brands including Nike, Coca-Cola, and Anheuser-Busch InBev.
“I am beyond thrilled to begin this journey as CEO of UM Canada,” said Seaton. “Under Shelley’s leadership, UM has firmly established itself as a dominant force in the Canadian marketing and media landscape, and I will continue to build on this legacy.”
