IAB Canada Lands Former Senior Mgr. Interactive, Coca-Cola Ltd. For New Director of Council Initiatives

Toronto, ON. May 7, 2007 - Hot on the heels of its announcement that Online Advertising in Canada topped $1 billion for 2006 -- and in another move that should cause advertisers across Canada to sit up and take notice -- the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada (IAB), today announced that it has hired Joanne de Visser, former Senior Mgr. of Interactive for Coca-Cola Canada, as Director of Council Initiatives for the organization.

de Visser, a highly-respected, veteran marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in the packaged-goods sector (on both agency and client sides), was most recently responsible for developing the strategic vision and direction for the hugely successful icoke.ca Website and loyalty program, while acting as the Canadian lead for the Coca-Cola Global iMarketing community.

Under de Visser's direction, iCoke.ca was launched as the first Website within Coca-Cola's Global Online Loyalty program. In just two years, de Visser steered the iCoke.ca venture to awareness and participation levels equal to many of the top 10 loyalty programs in Canada, and built the iCoke.ca database to over 1.4million members -- all the while delivering impressive media value and customer relationships for iCoke.ca partners including Universal, Sony, Mac's and Blockbuster.

Within the Coca-Cola corporate family, de Visser also worked on national beverage brands including Sprite, Mello Yello and Barq's, launching breakthrough creative executions for both "Barq's Has Bite" and "Obey Your Thirst" campaigns.

Previous to her 10 years at Coca-Cola Canada, de Visser held Senior and Director-level Account Mgmt. positions at various agencies across Canada, that saw her guiding integrated offerings for packaged goods giants including: Maple Leaf Grocery Products, Hostess Frito-Lay, Kimberly Clark, Campbell Soup Company, Carter Products and Warner-Lambert.

"We're incredibly excited about adding Joanne de Visser to our team," says Paula Gignac, President of IAB Canada. "Being able to attract such a well-known and high-caliber professional, speaks to both the accomplishments of the IAB specifically, and how far Interactive has moved into the marketing mainstream, in general. IAB Canada members will no doubt applaud her addition as well, as Joanne's insight into advertisers' needs and mindset, will help us build on the successes we've already delivered, and assist us in the many exciting initiatives and projects that still lie ahead for our organization."

de Visser is just as jubilant: "As an advertiser, I first got a glimpse of the power of Online in 1996, when I launched one of the early brand Websites for Hostess Frito-Lay. What excites me most these days, are the tremendous opportunities that Interactive advertising offers on both the brand and direct sides of the business. Whether it's rich media banners, behavioral targeting or Online in-stream video commercials in the display arena; demographic- or day-part targeting in search and email; or consumers' increased time with the brand that's inherent in emerging platforms such as mobile and videogaming - Interactive media is transforming the marketing world."

"When I looked around to see who was leading the charge with respect to helping marketers navigate the Interactive landscape, IAB Canada stood heads and tails above the rest. In fact, I consider IAB Canada's leadership in delivering objective cross-media research; establishing standards that help agencies and advertisers be more effective; and, in developing leading-edge events and education, second to none."

"What I hope to bring to the organization is a "client-side" perspective, which will help IAB Canada continue to provide high value to members, and ensure key marketing decision-makers have all the tools they need to deliver effective and integrated campaigns for their brands and businesses."

For more information contact:
Paula Gignac
President, IAB Canada
iabcanada.com
416-598-3400 (ext. 26)

The Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada (www.iabcanada.com), is the national voice and de facto thought leader of the Canadian Interactive marketing and advertising industry, and is a not-for-profit association representing a membership composed of advertisers, agencies, publishers and Interactive service associates.

Newsletter Index »