After an extensive North American search, independent creative shop Zulu Alpha Kilo has hired Erica Shalinsky as executive strategy director of its Vancouver office.
She joins Zulu from BBDO New York where she served as VP, strategy director and helped steer Ford’s future technologies division globally, building new brand platforms and consumer experiences for electric and autonomous vehicles. In addition to her creative agency leadership, Shalinsky brings a background of business transformation as a management consultant with Deloitte supporting strategy across public and private sector clients. Her experience extends to companies including Microsoft, Ford, Shell, T-Mobile, The Gap and Bank of America.
The addition of Shalinsky brings Zulu’s headcount in Vancouver to 10 full-time staff who are backed by 140 Zuligans across Toronto and New York. She joins managing director David Tremblay and executive creative directors Dean Lee and Michael Mayes to form Zulu’s West Coast leadership team. The agency’s western-based clients include a2 Milk, Destination BC, Save-On-Foods, Subaru Canada’s western dealers, ToursByLocals, and The Vancouver Island Ferry Company.
“Finding a talent like Erica with global experience to join our growing Vancouver team is beyond exciting. And the fact that she grew up in Vancouver is even better,” said president and CEO Mike Sutton. “Erica has spent her career turning complex brand, creative and technology problems into transformational business opportunities for global brands and I can’t wait to see the impact she has for our clients.”
Zulu maintains operations in Toronto, Vancouver and New York. The latter, which is the agency’s first international office, opened earlier this year under the aegis of former Droga5 creative leader Tim Gordon.
