AMA Toronto launches program to crown next ‘Legends Among Us’
TORONTO, October 20, 2025 – A new campaign has officially kicked off to honour the people who have made Canada a leader in marketing on the world stage.
AMA Toronto is calling for nominations for the 2026 Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends, one of the country’s most established and prestigious industry awards.
Over more than 20 years, the Legends program has grown into a year-round calendar of content and events, culminating in an annual celebration showcasing the achievements of some of the biggest names in Canadian marketing. Past inductees include Malcolm Gladwell, Jeanne Beker, Frank Palmer, Tony Chapman and Sandra Sanderson.
“Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends recognizes those who, through their work and lives, have altered the landscape of Canadian marketing, demonstrated lasting influence and made our community a better place,” Max Rakov, president, AMA Toronto, says. “Delivering on our chapter’s promise to ‘empower leadership potential,’ it also offers a chance for others to learn from and be inspired by their legacies.”
Nominations are also open for the annual Marketer-on-the-Rise award. The award is given to an up-and-coming talent whose dedication and creativity have put them on track to become a future marketing Legend.
Diversity, wealth of experience on display with selection committee panel reveal
AMA Toronto has also announced a Legends selection committee drawn from a wide range of industries and backgrounds for this year’s Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends.
David Pullara, principal, DP Ventures, returns for a second year as selection committee chair. He will be joined on the committee for the first time by Bennie Johnson, CEO, American Marketing Association, alongside a notable group of industry veterans and past Legends tasked with choosing inductees from the pool of nominees. Other members of the committee include:
- Alan C. Middleton, PhD, consultant, author & speaker
- Darian Kovacs, founding partner, Jelly Digital Marketing & PR Agency
- David MacLean, head of marketing, Neo Financial
- Dhaval Bhatt, co-founder & CCO, Courage Inc.
- Karima-Catherine Goundiam, founder & CEO, B2BeeMatch
- Marc Giguère, managing partner, Montreal, DHR Global
- Michael Forsyth, marketing director, potato chip brands, PepsiCo Foods Canada
- Robin Whalen, president & CEO, Church + State
- Sandra Sanderson, CMO, Empire Company Ltd. & Sobeys Inc.
- Scott D’Cunha, CEO, Brankersome Consulting & Ventures
- Sharifa Khan, founder & CEO, Balmoral Multicultural Marketing
- Sheila Morin, marketing VP, brand strategy & customer experience, Legault Group
- Sue Jackman, executive VP, marketing & growth, Citizen Relations
- Theo (Ted) Rosnick, former creative director, Vapor Music
- Tracy Day, managing director, ad products & innovation, The Globe and Mail
“We’re honored to have a selection committee that embodies the very spirit of our industry – visionary, collaborative and deeply committed to lifting others,” says Jacob Kessler, VP, Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends. “Each year, they assess hundreds of nominations, bringing wisdom, fairness and passion to their task. They also ensure that each class of Legends and Marketers-on-the-Rise reflects not only excellence in marketing, but also the diversity and creativity that define Canada itself.”
Nominations for the 2026 Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends are open until December 1. Inductees will be announced in February 2026, with the gala awards ceremony taking place in Spring 2026.
AMA Toronto would also like to thank our title sponsor Balmoral Multicultural Marketing and media partner Globe Media Group for their support with this year’s Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends program.
Know someone you think should be a Legend? Nominate them here.
About Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends
Founded in 2004, Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends is the longest running career recognition program of its kind in Canadian marketing and honours inspiring Canadian leaders who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of excellence in the field of marketing. The award’s year-round program, created to spotlight the stories, people and brands behind Canada’s greatest marketing successes, recognizes a noteworthy body of work and a life-time of achievements and leadership. Nominations for induction are held annually. Learn more here.
About AMA Toronto
AMA Toronto is a not-for-profit community of volunteer marketers who have been empowering leadership and business growth for nearly 75 years in Canada. With more than 30,000 members and 70 chapters across North America, the American Marketing Association is the largest marketing association in the world, serving organizations and individuals who practice, teach and study marketing. Learn more here.
About the author
Michael Thede is a marketing manager at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. He previously led international communications for one of the top-ranked business schools in Asia and has worked as a consultant for brands such as Disney, Porsche and more. He is also a graduate of the Master of Marketing program at Schulich School of Business (York University).