Sara Hill, President M2 Universal

Sara Hill brings a unique mix of critical thinking, insightful strategy and passionate leadership to her role as President of M2 Universal, where she oversees the operations, business development, and client relationships for all of Canada’s offices.   She was appointed President in June 2008. Sara is ranked as one of Canada’s top media negotiators.  She provides leadership and counsel to many of Canada’s most influential National and Retail advertisers – RBC, Labatt, General Motors, Sony, CBC, Microsoft and Wendy’s.

Sara joined MacLaren in 1979.  In 1984, Sara was promoted to Vice President, Group Manager.  In 1985, Sara moved to Vickers & Benson where she ran the Ford AOR business but it wasn’t long before her drive and determination lead her back to MacLaren to take on the exciting challenge of working with Hugh Dow to launch what is now M2 Universal.  In 1995 she was appointed Senior Vice President, Managing Director.  Later, in 1998 Sara played an integral role in continuing to build M2 Universal with the launch of the Digital and Retail media divisions.

Sara maintains a high profile in many industry organizations including Director ABC Canada, Director ComBase, TV Executive for Bureau of Broadcast Measurement (BBM), Member of Canadian Advertising Research Foundation (CARF), and Member of Broadcast Research Council (BRC), Director NADbank.

Andrea Parnell

Sr. Vice President, Managing Director

Having worked in two of Canada’s major urban centres – Toronto and Montreal, Andrea Parnell delivers a unique blend of both planning and buying skills along with over 20 years of agency experience.

Andrea’s career began in 1984 at Foster Advertising in Montreal where she learned the ropes working on such prestigious clients as Air Canada, Hilton Hotels and Teleglobe Canada.  In 1988 she joined M2 Universal’s Montreal office where she continued to gain valuable insight into Canada’s distinct French language market while servicing clients like Molson Breweries & Diet Coke.  In 1992, Andrea moved to M2 Universal in Toronto where she applied her extensive planning and buying skills to clients such as Sony Canada, RBC Financial Group, National Post and most recently Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Between 1994 – 1996, Andrea left agency life to work client-side as Marketing Manager for Lenscrafters Canada.  In this role she saw the world from the other side of the table as she managed all Canadian advertising and direct mail efforts.  Realizing that she was happier in the agency world, Andrea returned to M2 Universal in 1997 as Group Media Director with a renewed passion for the business and the added ability to see things from a clients’ perspective.

An astute media professional, Andrea is always looking for strategic media solutions to her clients’ business challenges.  Through her determination and drive she ensures that her team is constantly inspired to provide creative and innovative ideas for every client, and for every campaign.

Industry:

•  Member of INMA International Newspaper Marketing Association •   Former member of NADbank •  Lecturer Canadian Marketing Association – Advertising and Media Certificate •  Member PMB Board •

Awards:

•  2005 Media Innovation Award – Certificate (Vertical Segment – RBC Financial Group) •  2001 Media Innovation Award – Bronze (Mixed Media – RBC Financial Group)

Susan Dioszeghy

SVP, Media Director

Susan brings a unique perspective for what motivates and compels individuals to gravitate towards a brand. Her consumer-driven sensibility is grounded in understanding the audience’s mindset, thereby leveraging innovative communication solutions.

Susan graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa with a High Honours Degree in Mass Communications. After six years of working with local clients, Susan joined M2 Universal in 2000 to manage a dedicated media team on General Motors. In this capacity, Susan proved her media acumen and quickly took on the strategic role of providing regional media solutions to local, national and global clients.

In 2008 Susan was given the SVP designation for her media acumen and leadership capabilities and was challenged with the role of overseeing the Western M2 operation.

Creative media plans that are carefully tailored to the needs and budget of each client are Susan’s trademark, which has been proven by her outstanding history of developing long-term strategies fitted to the client’s and the project’s specific needs.