The Toronto-based Institute of Communications and Advertising announced today that acting president Jani Yates, formerly ICA’s EVP, has been promoted to president. As well, Gillian Graham is the venerable organization’s new CEO.

Explaining what he called ‘an ambitious new renewal mandate,’ ICA chairman Brett Marchand (EVP/MD, Cossette Communication Group), said ‘In response to the changes that have marked the communications landscape, and eroded agencies’ expertise role, the ICA needs to seize more control and leadership of our industry destiny. We must be widely recognized as a thought leader and the voice of the industry (and) we feel we need two strong leaders to get this done.’

A former VP/group account director at Scali, McCabe, Sloves (Lowe/SMS), Graham was also president/owner of Mediterranean Villas and a management consultant for The Graham Group for many years.