XMC adds to leadership team

Melanie Smith is the new VP at sponsorship and experiential agency XMC. Smith, who has more than 20 years experience in marketing, events and sponsorship, has worked across multiple disciplines including agency side (10 years at Cossette including six years as managing director of Fusion; three years at Initiative) and client side (seven years at Scotiabank, where she led sponsorship and planning). She’s negotiated multimillion dollar deals with properties including NHL, MLSE and the COC, and helped develop programs such as Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, Hometown Hockey and others.

New Camden VP hails from OOH

Camden has tapped Ari Zagury to head up its business development, creative and media shop. Zagury, who has taken home honours at the Ad Club’s OOH day multiple years, is now VP of business development at the agency. Zagury got his start in the OOH industry managing accounts at Clear Channel Outdoor and, eventually, Branded Cities, but also has experience on the creative and vendor side as a partner with photo and video services 1mpression Media.

Jason Keown joins Standard Media Index

As Standard Media Index (SMI) expands its ad intelligence and pricing data operations into Canada, the company has made its first senior Canadian appointment, with Jason Keown stepping in as VP of marketing. While Keown will be based out of Canada, he will be tasked with building SMI’s media functions across North America, with a key focus on expansion. Keown previously headed accounts at Community, but also held marketing posts on the brand side at Grand & Toy, Shaw, Rogers, Burger King and more. At SMI, he will report to CEO James Fennessy.