Leadership Team
Robert Clarkson – President, Carlson Marketing Ltd.
Brian Patreau – Chief Information Officer, Senior Vice-President
Michel Pepin – Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice-President
Martha Barss – Senior Vice-President, Client Services
Irena Boeva – Senior Vice-President, Information Technology
Stephen Fraser – Senior Vice-President, Client Strategy and Insight
Cam Thomson – Senior Vice-President, Enhancement Services
Robert Clarkson
President, Carlson Marketing Ltd.
Robert, a frequent keynote speaker and thought leader in Canada on Relationship Marketing, has been a valued member and significant driving force of the Carlson Marketing executive team since joining Carlson Marketing in 1990.
Robert oversees the development and implementation of business strategies that strengthen customer relationships with their employees, channels and consumers across a wide range of industry categories including financial services, automotive, pharmaceutical and retail. With broad-based industry experience and more than 20 years in sales and marketing, he has advised many leading Canadian companies on important growth strategies.
Robert is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, and has completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Minnesota
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Brian Patreau
CIO & Senior Vice-President, Operations
Brian has a long and distinguished career with Carlson Marketing Ltd. spanning decades. He and his team are currently responsible for managing a $50+ million operational budget.
His original and enduring passion is in the Information Technology field where as CIO he leads a diverse group of technology professionals in Network and Web Infrastructure Management, Interactive Software Development, Database Management and Enterprise Level Technologies.
His business acumen and effective leadership has been extended into managing other client delivery areas including Travel Operations, Business Operations, Customer Contact Centers, Rewards and Incentives, and Travel Supplier management.
Most recently he has taken on the responsibility of Privacy and Compliance management. This role encompasses functions critical to the quality client delivery, especially those related to our ISO 9001 certification obtained in 2004.
Over the years, Brian has completed extensive studies in Information Systems and Electronic Data Processing. He is a long standing member of various IT societies and committees including the IBM Technology Council.
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Michel Pepin
Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice-President
As Chief Financial Officer, Michel is involved in strategic corporate development and stakeholders' relations.
Michel brings to Carlson Marketing over 20 years of international experience gained in the private and public sectors. Previously, he was CFO and Senior Vice-President of Advantex, a loyalty marketing company in close partnership with leading financial institutions. Michel's acquired both operational and executive experience in the marketing communication world with Omnicom Group and Excelcom Translex.
Michel holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Université du Québec à Montréal and has completed a number of specialized University courses. He has been an active member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants since 1987.
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Martha Barss
Senior Vice-President, Client Services
Martha is responsible for the overall design, development, implementation and management of client programs and initiatives, as well as management responsibilities of Creative Operations, Production and Studio.
She ensures that client programs remain on strategy and are deftly managed to meet all budget and success requirements – to strengthen relationships between brands and the consumer, channel and employee audiences, and generate significant client ROI.
Since joining Carlson Marketing in 1992, Martha has served in a variety of executive positions. She was a key contributor in the launch of the VIA Préférence Reward Program, the TD Visa Gold Travel Card and the successful transition of the RBC Rewards Program. Her skills in operations management, budget control, relationship marketing, sales and promotions have also benefited clients including Scotiabank, General Motors, Pfizer, Nortel, Whirlpool Corporation, BMO Bank of Montreal, Vancity, Ford of Canada and American Express.
Martha is currently a member of the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) and regularly serves on the judging panel of the CMA awards. She also sits on the Advisory Committee at George Brown College.
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Irena Boeva
Senior Vice-President, Information Technology
Irena leads the Information Technology and Contact Centre Operations for Carlson Marketing.
Her IT team consists of Network and Web Infrastructure Management, Interactive Software Development, Database Management, Technology Assistance Centre and Contact Centre Technologies.
These groups are responsible for the client delivery of technology services and customized software development. The team supports 3 integrated locations – two in Toronto and one in Montréal – including their call centre infrastructure, VoIP, WAN and LAN networks.
Carlson Marketing supports over 6 million consumers who are members of various marketing programs. Irena and her team ensure seamless communication with these customers through sophisticated interactive systems and Customer Contact Centres.
Irena has extensive formal training in the Computer Sciences and Economics at the University of Toronto. She has also completed her Canadian Securities Course certification.
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Stephen Fraser
Senior Vice-President, Client Strategy and Insight
Steve leads a multi-disciplinary, multilingual team that provides value to Carlson Marketing's clients through the design of effective relationship marketing programs.
He and his team of relationship marketing specialists have designed numerous successful marketing and motivation programs. Steve is responsible for many award-winning program architectures encompassing direct and database marketing, consumer loyalty, sales incentives, employee recognition, lead management, conference and event management, customer strategy development and 1to1 marketing programs.
Since 1993, Steve has been a key contributor to our strategic planning initiatives. He has also held senior sales management positions in the Performance Improvement Group and Business Solution Group. He was instrumental in the development of Carlson's e-marketing division, mobility and integrated marketing practices.
Stephen holds diplomas in Computer and Classical Animation from Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. He is a member of the Canadian Marketing Association, the Association for the Advancement of Relationship Marketing and the Conference Board of Canada's Chief Marketing Executive Council. He is also a frequent speaker and author on relationship marketing strategy.
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Cam Thomson
Senior Vice-President, Enhancement Services
Cam leads the Carlson Marketing Enhancement Services team.
Enhancement Services collaborates with clients to create and market both stand-alone and embedded service products and features that enhance customer relationships by delivering highly valued assistance services and lifestyle benefits, while generating significant incremental revenue for our clients.
Cam is a career direct marketer who has spent over 20 years working with clients in the retail, financial services, publishing and airline sectors to help them leverage the strength of their consumer brand relationships to create important new revenue streams. An early adopter of CRM and customer segmentation strategies, he has helped clients bring more relevant optional products and services to their customers, increasing the number of consumer touchpoints and strengthening their brand relationships.
He is a graduate of York University, and has been an active member of the Canadian Marketing Association, servicing as Council Chair, Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee Member.
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