MEET THE INDUCTEES

Chris Staples, Ian Grais & Tom Shepansky

Rethink Founders

Chris Staples

Chris Staples is one of Canada’s leading creative thinkers. He has been named the number-one ranked creative director in the country an unprecedented 10 times over the last four decades.

Chris has an honours degree in journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa. He started his career in Edmonton, before moving to Vancouver in 1990 as a writer with Palmer Jarvis (now DDB). Three years later he was creative director, helping lead that shop to three Agency of the Year titles in five years.

He’s won a slew of national and international awards, and has served as a judge at Cannes (twice), the Clios (twice), the One Show, D&AD and the Communications Arts Annual.

In 1999, Chris started Rethink with Ian Grais and Tom Shepansky. Today he serves on the Rethink Board of Trustees, helping protect the agency’s long-term sustainability and independence.

In his spare time he travels incessantly and watches far too much reality television.

 

Ian Grais

Ian Grais studied economics at the University of British Columbia and then advertising and design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, prior to founding Rethink in 1999 with partners Tom Shepansky and Chris Staples.

Ian’s passion for creative problem solving, art and design have helped him become one of Canada’s most awarded creative thinkers. He’s been named the number one creative director and art director in the country numerous times, including being the only art director in the country ranked number one five years in a row.

Ian has served on the jury of the top industry award shows, including the ANDYs, Cannes, the CLIOs, Communication Arts, D&AD, and the One Show.

Today he serves on the Rethink Board of Trustees, helping guide the company’s overall strategic and creative direction. 

 

Tom Shepansky

Tom Shepansky is one of the founders of Rethink, leading the business side with his creative director co-founders Chris Staples and Ian Grais.

In the early 80s, Tom graduated from NAIT and studied at the University of Alberta before starting his career and account management at Francis Williams and Johnson and then Intergroup in Edmonton.  He moved to Vancovuer in 1991 to join Palmer Jarvis, where he became director of client services by the late 90s.

At Rethink, Tom created long-lasting client relationships with every major client, starting with A&W.  He also oversaw strategy, account services and finance for the company.  Over the last decade he spearheaded a plan to transition Rethink’s founders out of the day-to-day operation of the agency and ensure a smooth transition to Rethink’s next generation of leaders, all while maintaining the agency’s independence in perpetuity. Along with Chris and Ian, Tom sits on the Rethink Board of Trustees.  He is currently working on his ICD certification. 

Outside of Rethink, Tom serves on several advisory boards.  He is also involved in the local community, serving on several non-profit boards over the past two decades.  Most recently he was the Board Chair of the Vancouver Foundation and Vice Chair of the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation.

Tom lives in North Vancouver with his wife Roxanne and can be found hiking the trails, cycling or playing his bass guitar with his band TwoPointOh.

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