The Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA) today announced the resignation of
Jani Yates from her position as president effective May 31, 2016 after nine years in the role. Throughout her 18 year tenure at the ICA, Ms. Yates has held various titles of increasing responsibility, and been a strong supporter of the ICA’s member agencies and the industry. Her accomplishments are many including notable achievements and contributions in the realm of industry relations, CASSIES Awards leadership, talent development and member support, while championing the ICA’s mission to embrace and drive change within the industry in Canada. Ms. Yates will take the reins as president and CEO of Advertising Standards Canada (ASC) in June 2016.
This follows the announcement of the resignation of Gillian Graham as CEO to pursue other interests, announced in March. An executive search has begun to fill the role of CEO while the experienced team at the ICA continues under the leadership of Ms. Graham until mid-July, and the Board of Directors determines the ICA’s leadership needs moving forward.
“During her many years at the ICA, Jani has demonstrated her deep commitment to our industry and we wish her well in her new role at the helm of the ASC, championing industry self-regulation,” said Gillian Graham, CEO, ICA. “Jani has been a valued partner to me throughout the last nine years and we are both proud that we are leaving the ICA as a strong and vital force in our wonderful industry.”
“I am grateful for my years at ICA, which have been as interesting as they have been diverse,” explained Ms. Yates. “I’m proud of the ongoing work that ICA delivers on behalf of the industry such as the CASSIES, and am a strong advocate of a self-regulatory industry environment and look forward to contributing to ASC’s important work.”
“While Jani’s announcement is unexpected, the energy and commitment of the ICA staff gives us great confidence in the continued excellence of the ICA,” added Penny Stevens, president, Media Experts and Chair of the 2016 Board of Directors. “In addition, it does provide an opportunity for us to rethink the overall leadership structure, roles and responsibilities to meet the needs of the ICA, now and in the future.”
