Revitalize. Innovate. Thrive.This is not just a resume—it's a narrative of resilience, relentless pursuit, and impactful strides in the media industry. Delve into my story, starting from an education marked by tenacity to my unwavering commitment to lifelong learning and my ambitious professional journey.
9 MIN READResilience and Tenacity: The Early Years
It began in Beirut, Lebanon, where my resolve remained despite a war-torn city's tumultuous circumstances and challenges. Amid the chaos, I pursued my education and earned a Higher Technical Degree in Management Information Systems from École D'Informatique du Liban, EPSIL. Shortly after, I worked as a fashion magazine designer, fueling my passion for creativity and design. Later, I broadened my experience in brand design at a reputable label production house. These experiences laid the groundwork for my design-centric journey ahead.
A personal portrait
Embracing Academia: The Montreal Years
In 1996, with dreams and ambitions more giant than the war-imposed confines of my homeland, I moved to Montreal, Canada. Here, I plunged back into academics, this time in a foreign land but with familiar zeal. I earned a B.A. in Graphic Design from Université du Québec à Montréal, UQÀM, and a D.E.S.S. Graduate Studies in Management from École des Hautes Études Commerciales, HEC-Montréal. My academic journey did not end there. I found myself drawn to the prestigious halls of McGill University, where I delved into M.B.A. courses in International Marketing and Global Brand Management. The insights gained here further refined my understanding of the global media landscape.
Dynamic Professional Journey: The Television Experience
Following my academic journey, I embarked on a professional voyage as vibrant and diverse as the cities I had lived in. My Canadian career began at CBC/Radio-Canada in Montreal, where I was entrusted with a unique opportunity to work alongside a team of news directors and Canadian army generals, formulating onscreen explanations about the war in Iraq in 2003. My role then evolved, and I became the lead designer for several prime shows, including the network's crown jewel Le Téléjournal. During this tenure, I had the privilege of contributing to numerous world events, including the Olympic Games and all the elections in the U.S. and Canada. I found myself among the best in French television in Canada, working with Québec's iconic news chief anchor Bernard Derome and later with Céline Galipeau and the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean until she was appointed the 27th Governor General of Canada. Working with such stalwarts of the industry was not only a privilege but also an incredible learning experience.
With Bernard Derome and the television director Louis Ouellet, December 18, 2018.
Setting New Design Trends in Primetime News Broadcasting
Later, I led the broadcast editorial design for multiple prime shows, collaborating with leadership teams, designers, and stakeholders to facilitate a significant rebranding and redesign overhaul. One notable project that I fondly recall was in 2005. An executive producer approached me with a unique challenge - to design the initial minutes of the 6 o'clock primetime news to captivate viewers and ensure they stayed tuned without changing the channel. Recognizing the importance of this task, I devised an innovative design solution that might seem ubiquitous now but was entirely novel at the time. I designed 'over-the-shoulder' visuals for three news stories so that one story's image would light up while the other two dimmed until their turn. It created an effect akin to website buttons, offering a seamless transition between stories. The lead executive producer predicted this style would become a trend across news networks - a prophecy that came true.
Pascale Nadeau. TJ 18H. Seasons 2004-2005
At the HEC Montreal, 1997.
Graduation, HEC. March 25, 2003.
Revamping the Look & Feel of Le Téléjournal: A Design Triumph
Then, I spearheaded the editorial redesign of multiple prime shows, infusing a fresh perspective into the network's news products and shaping their visual aesthetics and strategic narrative. This period of creative collaboration led to remarkable achievements. Among them was the revamp of the look and feel of the network's flagship nightly newscast, Le Téléjournal 22h, televised across Canada and broadcast internationally on all Air Canada flights and the global French network TV5. With a revitalized look and strategic design overhaul, Le Téléjournal 22h marked an impressive 24% increase in market share. This exceptional design work led to my nomination for the Best Design category by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, a significant honour the news networks hadn't achieved for a newscast in over 15 years. Furthermore, my design contributions significantly bolstered the market share for the R.D.I. Économie business newscast, leading me to earn the Radio-Canada Prix du Savoir-Faire.
With Celine Galipeau, 2014.
Photo: J.-G. Thibodeau.
Strategic Impact:
The Toronto Star Era
The next exciting chapter of my career unfolded at Toronto Star, where I held several impactful positions over eight years, each marked by continuous learning, growth, and achievements. Recruited by the brilliant editor-in-chief Michael Cooke, I started as the Director of Digital Editorial Design, leading the design and launch of the $24M Star Touch digital news product. Spearheading a pivotal transition within the organization, I trained a 350-member newsroom in digital-first visual storytelling and led a dynamic team of up to 85 Designers, Producers, Managers, and Content Creators. We successfully transformed a traditional print-based newsroom into a groundbreaking digital-first operation. This transformative venture propelled Star Touch to the top of Apple's iPad store, boasting 210K weekly openings and an average engagement time of 35 minutes. Additionally, I conceptualized and designed the third advertising campaign for Star Touch, resulting in a remarkable 12% increase in daily openings. This campaign garnered significant user engagement and secured 3rd place for the Best Global Brand Awareness Campaign at INMA in New York.
Interviewed by Gérald Fillion, RDI Économie, business newscast, 2015.
Creating waves in Toronto with our impactful Ad Campaign in 2015-2016
Building Best-in-Class Teams from the Ground Up
Subsequently, as the Executive Creative Director, I embraced the responsibility of shaping creative strategy, design, and visual storytelling. Guiding three exceptional design teams - our collective efforts earned us over 50 awards spanning Canada and the U.S.A., a testament to our work's profound impact and outstanding quality. Our world-class engaging storytelling experiences became a cornerstone of our success, drawing accolades from readers and notable figures alike. Moreover, I had the profound honour of establishing and leading groundbreaking web interactive, visual storytelling, and visual data teams from the ground up. My team, now recognized as industry trailblazers, consistently pushed the boundaries of information delivery, earning numerous awards and establishing us as a best-in-class entity in the Canadian media landscape. Driven by an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, our efforts led to significant growth in subscription sales and amplified click-through rates on both our desktop and mobile platforms. These accomplishments solidified our position as a leading force in the industry, making a lasting impact on our audience and stakeholders.
From my archive, the Star Newsroom.
Capturing a moment during an interview recording.
Driving Design and Innovation: From Print to Digital and Multimedia Leadership
In my final role at Toronto Star, as Vice-President of Multimedia, Podcasts & Design from March 2021 to April 2023, I was entrusted with crafting and propelling an ambitious expansion plan. Collaborating closely with the C-suite and fellow executives, I helped shape a transformative company strategy and fostered the development of innovative product ideas. I led the charge in creating revenue-generating strategies for our podcasts, leading to substantial growth in our division. Furthermore, I was at the forefront of the design vision, bringing a fresh and invigorating perspective to our identity and enhancing our brand across all operations. In addition to these accomplishments, I was vital in implementing a video strategy to generate income and create engaging editorial videos.
A personal portrait, 2022.
The Last Print: Revitalizing a 130-Year Legacy
During this period, one of my standout contributions was taking the helm, alongside celebrated Creative Director Gayle Grin, in redesigning the company's print newspaper. This task was particularly significant as it marked the newspaper's 130th year of existence - and the last! Furthermore, I assembled a new print design team whose exceptional work spearheading this landmark redesign has recently won them several design awards. These collective efforts yielded remarkable results, leading to substantial growth in subscription sales, advertising revenue, and an enhanced experience for our readers, leaving them delighted and engaged.
Unveiling the fresh design of the newspaper.
Empowering Conversations: Unveiling Connexion - The Business Podcast
Despite its brief duration, I take immense pride in the meaningful impact I had during my tenure leading the editorial podcast division. This role enabled me to contribute significantly to the network's content offerings. A highlight was the creation of the business video podcast, "Connexion." Collaborating with best-selling author and founding member of BNN, Howard Green, we co-produced this bi-weekly series. This podcast gave influential business leaders a platform to share insightful discussions about money, the environment, and corporate responsibility, enriching our network's content while adding value for our viewers and listeners.
Gearing up for a boardroom presentation.
Captured behind the scenes, setting the stage for an engaging Connexion taping.
Immersed in the riveting process of taping the award-winning podcast with Kevin Donovan.
Navigating Leadership: Mentorship and Collaboration in the Executive Suite
I was fortunate to work closely with and learn from esteemed C-suite executives and senior leaders throughout my transformative tenure. Notably working alongside Wayne Parrish. It was particularly enlightening and highly instructive. His insightful mentorship played an instrumental role in shaping my leadership journey, especially as I navigated the intricate labyrinth of executive decision-making during the challenging Covid period. Our dynamic interactions sparked a vibrant exchange of ideas, reinforcing our teams' cohesion and fortifying our collective efforts toward achieving the company's strategic objectives. These experiences honed my leadership acumen and contributed significantly to my professional growth and understanding of effective, impactful leadership.
Harnessing A.I. and Emerging Technologies: Stepping Into the Future
Drawing from the insights and lessons garnered from my leadership journey, I felt ready to navigate new territories. As the murmur of an impending A.I. revolution started resonating within the industry, I saw an opportunity to position myself at the vanguard of this transformative field. Ever mindful of future developments, I sought to enhance my expertise. With this goal in mind, I pursued an Executive Certificate in UX Design & Strategy for Emerging Technologies, V.R., AR, and A.I. from New York University. This educational venture expanded my technical skillset and reinforced my ability to navigate and contribute effectively to the rapidly evolving landscape of industries and technology.
Looking Ahead
Now, at the crossroads of my professional journey, I stand equipped with experience, knowledge, and ambition, poised to write the next chapter of my career story. Excitedly embracing the challenges and triumphs ahead, I am committed to continual growth in the ever-evolving design, technology, and inclusivity landscape. My true passion lies in harnessing the power of design to create meaningful and impactful experiences. I am dedicated to fostering an environment that celebrates uniqueness, amplifies diverse voices, and embraces a variety of perspectives. Furthermore, I am determined to dispel the fears surrounding A.I. and Spatial Computing, showcasing their potential as enablers for positive transformation and progress and fostering a more equitable and inclusive future for all.
