Canyon announces new managing director
Independent brand agency Canyon has appointed Kat Francis as managing director, Mumbrella can reveal.
Francis joins with 20 years industry experience, mostly spent in agency-side roles including stints at Thinkerbell, FutureBrand, Studio Round and Carat.
She has also spent time as head of brand for e-commerce retailer Sheet Society as head of brand.
Over Canyon’s 15 years of operation, the branding agency has worked on clients across the sport, property, education and health sectors, including the Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne Football Club, Melbourne Central, Alfred Hospital, Save the Children Deakin University, Big 4 Holiday Parks, Sacred Heart Mission and the Victorian Government.
Francis’ appointment as MD sees founder Mark Patterson hand over the reins for the first time in the agency’s history. He will remain in a leadership role to guide the transition.
“After 15 very successful years of organic growth it was time to consider the agency from a new perspective and to bring in some strong talent to work alongside our team and help us with the next 15 years,” said Patterson.
“We are delighted that Kat has chosen to join us. What really sets Kat apart is her ability to bring value and insights across an expansive range of professional disciplines and industry sectors as evidenced by her 20 years experience working agencies.”
Francis will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency and its clients, with a remit to grow its digital and strategic capabilities.
Francis added: “The curiosity and appreciation that the Canyon team all have for their client’s commercial realities and operating context shouldn’t make them special, but in our industry it does. From a strategic standpoint, Canyon has always demonstrated a heightened ability to balance logic and magic, bringing ideas into the world that are truly fit for purpose – and across so many sectors.
“Ultimately what drew me in is the fact that Canyon has always walked its own path and has never been held back by the norms of our discipline. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to take the helm and excited to rise to the challenge of setting an even higher benchmark.”
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