Shelley Smit (left) and Ben Seaton.

Shelley Smit has been named the new CEO of IPG Mediabrands in Canada.

In her new role, Smit will be responsible for setting and advocating Mediabrands’ strategic vision in Canada, maintaining a high standard of client service to strengthening existing relationships and establish new ones. IPG Mediabrands agencies in Canada include UM, Media Experts, Initiative, Magna, Mediabrands Content Studio, Orion and Kinesso, which was recently merged with Reprise and Matterkind.

The appointment is effective Oct. 16. Smit will report to Jim Hytner, COO of IPG Mediabrands. She is taking over a role that had previously been held by Graham Moysey, who announced he is leaving the company after first joining as CEO in 2018, bringing experience from senior roles at AOL, CanWest and Bell Media.

“Shelley has played a pivotal role in driving our success within the Canadian market,” Hytner said in a release. “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.”

Hytner added, “I’d like to thank Graham [Moysey] for his contribution to IPG Mediabrands Canada. 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.”

Smit has been with IPG since 2008 when she joined J3, the company’s dedicated Johnson & Johnson team, as its managing director. She also played a key role in the launch of UM’s Canadian office in late 2009, becoming its EVP and managing director at the beginning of the following year. She became president of UM Canada in 2012 and was elevated to CEO in 2021.

Taking over as CEO of UM Canada is Ben Seaton, currently the agency’s EVP and client business partner. Also effective Oct. 16, Seaton will be responsible for shaping the strategy, direction and day-to day operations of UM Canada, in addition to “championing” the agency’s “dedication to innovation, sustainability, media ethics and, most notably, preserving the unique culture and community within UM Canada.” He will also oversee management of the agency’s clients, which includes BMO, Sobeys, PokerStars and Johnson & Johnson.

“Over the last eight years, Ben has been a driving force in the success of our clients’ businesses in Canada,” Smit said. “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.”