Karine Courtemanche, CEO of PHD and Touché! Canada, has been named the new chair of the Canadian Media Directors’ Council (CMDC).

Her two-year term is effective immediately.

Courtmanche has over 30 years of experience in the Canadian media industry. She was VP at Touché! when the then-independent agency was acquired by Omnicom in 2004, becoming part of the leadership group of the broader Omnicom Media Group in Canada. In 2010, she was promoted to president, and took on dual duties as CEO of both Touché! and PHD in 2020.

CMDC president Shannon Lewis said Courtmanche’s media experience, strength in strategic leadership and track record of talent mentorship will be put to use at a “pivotal time” for the organization, as it continues on its mission of “building a healthy and responsible Canadian media ecosystem,” as set out in the Canadian Media Manifesto last year.

“The needs of our clients, our audiences, regulators, and partners are changing rapidly,” Courtmanche said, citing things like the rise of ecommerce, the phase out of cookies and the need to support Canadian outlets. “As media leaders, we have
a huge platform and, of course, a responsibility to shape the industry as we move forward…There’s no question that we at the CMDC play a vital role reinforcing the value of Canadian media and ensuring we continue to thrive.”

Courtemanche is replacing Stuart Garvie as the CMDC chair. Garvie had been appointed at the beginning of 2020, but had to step down just short of the full two-year term when he left his role as GroupM Canada’s CEO in the fall (CMDC chairs must work at a Canadian media agency).