At the Account Planning Group of Canada, we’re committed to enhancing the reputation and standing of Account Planning here in Canada. To do that we need to understand how our peers, clients and colleagues perceive the standard of Account Planning in Canada today.
That’s why we’re publishing this Survey results.
3. When we started the Account Planning Group of Canada two years ago, our aim
was simple: to raise the profile and quality of planning in Canada. Drawing
inspiration from similar, established groups around the world – most notably the
original APG in the UK and the Grupo do Planejamento in our native Brazil – we
wanted to create a forum where all those concerned about planning could come
together and move the discipline forward.
We had no idea how quickly our experiment would take root and grow. In fact, in
that short time, the APGC has established itself as the de facto voice of planning
and strategy in the country.
Now the APGC is firmly established, it felt like the right time to see what the wider
community felt about planning in Canada in 2015. Hence the survey report in
your hands.
We hope you find it illuminating.
O U R F O U N D E R S W E I G H I N
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 3!
Roberto Faria and Veronika Heringer.
Founders, APG Canada
4. Account planning began in the UK in the late 1960s. Since then, it has spread
globally. But it has not spread uniformly; there are still many countries where
planning has, to say the least, weak roots. Nor is the meaning – or the practice -
of planning the same either. In effect, each country adopts a version of planning
that reflects the history of their advertising business, the business model of its
agencies and the cultural interest in planning.
All of which has made this, the first-ever survey of the state of account planning
in Canada, a priority for us here at the APGC. We wanted to know how
planning is stacking up: what people think it is for, what it does well and how it
could improve. We intend to do this annually.
So see what you think - and please share those thoughts. We’d love your
feedback, either via our website or on Twitter @APGCan. Feel free to weigh in!
And to those who took the trouble to complete the survey, our deepest thanks
C H A I R M A N ’ S R E M A R K S
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 4!
Mark Tomblin. CSO TAXI Canada
Chairman APG Canada
5. M A K I N G S E N S E O F T H I S R E P O R T
This wouldn’t be a report created by a group of planners if we didn’t preface it with
some disclaimers.
Here they are;
•! Where the number of respondents were too small to be “significantly significant”
we’ll make that clear.
•! In terms of open-ended questions we’ve had to interpret the sentiment of the
respondent. We’ve made every effort to keep that sentiment correct.
That’s it.
We hope you find the report as interesting as we did.
We’d love your feedback so we can make next year’s report even stronger.
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 5!
B A C K G R O U N D T O T H E S U R V E Y
Hilton Barbour, Partner, Global Brand Leaders
Board Member APG Canada
6. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 6!
T H E R E P O R T I N Y O U R H A N D S
7. TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 7!
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y P a g e 8
T H E 3 0 , 0 0 0 F O O T V I E W P a g e 9
O P I N I O N S & P O I N T S O F V I E W P a g e 1 4
T H E C L I E N T V I E W P a g e 2 1
T H E C R E A T I V E V I E W P a g e 2 9
P L A N N E R S O N P L A N N E R S P a g e 3 7
S I D E - B Y - S I D E C O M P A R I S O N S P a g e 5 1
A L I T T L E A B O U T T H E A P G C A N A D A P a g e 5 7
8. •! In general, the role of planning is not well understood or appreciated. This is
something that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
•! Unsurprisingly, the three main stakeholder groups represented in the survey (clients,
creatives and planners) have rather different views of what planning does (and should
do), as well as the value it brings. Again, this is troubling and requires attention.
•! Encouragingly, clients rate planning extremely positively, which is both exciting for
agencies in terms of adding value in an increasingly procurement-driven world.
•! In fact, clients rate planning much more highly than planners themselves. This is
heartening in one way and slightly depressing in another. Again, perhaps an area
where a more coherent view of what planning is would help.
•! Interestingly, creatives rate planning as most in need of work. They also seem to see
planners as basically there to give them ‘insights’. This needs to be more widely
discussed, as it goes to the heart of what planning really exists to do.
•! Creatives also see planners as being overly obsessed with business results. This is a
shame, as there is an established link between award-winning creative work and
effectiveness. In any case, how many clients nowadays can afford the luxury of work
that doesn’t cut it in the marketplace?
•! In general, planners are seen as being prone to get over-excited about what might well
be seen as passing cultural ‘hot buttons’ – e.g. Millennials, Big Data. The only credible
response is ‘guilty as charged’. We can and must do better in this regard.
•! Ultimately, this report suggests that while there is much that is good, there is much
that needs to be done.
Let the work commence!
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 8!
9. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 9!
T H E 3 0 , 0 0 0 F O O T V I E W
10. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 10!
W H O T O O K PA R T
"#!"$%&'(! )%#*+!"$%&'(! ,-.%/,0+(!
1*$*2+0!
30*%&2!
)+.4%5&$!
1%6*$&!"$%&'(! 78'*+0!)%#*+!
+$%&'(!
,9!"$%&'(! 38&6-02+&'(! ,.8:858&!
"$%&'(!
9%6%+.';!
"$%&'(!
Q1 : In which part of the Marketing Services world are you
currently employed?
Total respondents 335
11. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 11!
W H O T O O K PA R T
<8.8&28! =+&'8->%.! )8&2.%+0! 3+0$+.(! ?#:8&28&! @A+B+! 7+64+288&! 9%$*&+!
Q21 : In which city do you currently live?
Total respondents 228
12. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 12!
W H O T O O K PA R T
Q20 : Please tell us your gender?
)+0%!
C%:+0%!
Total respondents 227
13. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 13!
W H O T O O K PA R T
)-05/D+58&+0! 7%E(!F&#%G%&#%&2! 7G%'*+0*H%#!I8-5J-%! "00!1*$*2+0! 3+&+#*+&!I.+&#!8B&%#!
K(!D%2B8.4L!
@2;%.!
Q10 : Please describe what type of agency you work at
L!/!.%M%.6!28!+$%&'*%6!0*4%!<"NFO!P8;&!62!%2'!
Total respondents 237
14. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 14!
O P I N I O N S & P O I N T S O F V I E W
15. P L A N N I N G I N C A N A D A R E M A I N S
A P O O R LY U N D E R S T O O D R O L E
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 15!
There can be no denying that Planning has begun to make a mark here in Canada.
However, it is equally apparent that Planning, and Planners, still have a way to go
to be held in the same regard as their peers in New York or London.
An overwhelming number of respondents still believe that Planners have a role
that is poorly understood and/or appreciated, which may explain why so few
respondents consider Canadian Planning world-class. However, while respondents
might not believe local Planning is world-class, they also aren’t suggesting that it
needs significant improvement either. In fact, the majority believe it is getting
better. That’s a very positive sign.
How Planners can get better at assisting client and creative partners isn’t as clear-
cut. Focusing on business results remains a universal requirement for Planners but,
as the communication landscape broadens, the topics that respondents believe
Planners should obsessing over, almost exactly mirrors the topics respondents say
Planners should stop obsessing over. No wonder that Planners have a role that is
poorly understood or appreciated.
At the APG Canada, we see this as a great opportunity. Our colleagues and clients
want us at the table. It remains up to us to earn that seat and that respect. It is
definitely there for the taking.
16. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 16!
H O W I S P L A N N I N G D O I N G ?
Q13 : How would you rate the Planning function overall in
Canada?
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 16
"!/!Q8.0#!30+66!
I!/!R.%+2!
3!/!@SO!R%T&$!I%A%.!
1!/!988:!M8.!F:G.8>%:%&2!
?!/!F:G.8>%:%&2!#%U&*2%0(!.%J#!
Total respondents 264
17. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 17!
H O W I S P L A N N I N G D O I N G ?
V+6!"!980%!<;+2!F6!,88.0(!W&#%.6288#X"GG.%'*+2%#! 3+&!7G+.4!R.%+2!3.%+5>%!*#%+6! 3+&!3.+Y!38:G%00*&$!Z!7-''%66M-0!38::-&*'+58&!
Q16 : A Canadian planner today is someone who…
(Top 3 Choices)
Total respondents 237
18. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 18!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
Q14 : What’s the biggest Planning opportunity in Canada?
Total respondents 264
19. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 19!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
W&#%.62+!<;%!I-6*&%66!3;+00%&$%X@GG8.2-&*2(! 3+&!3.+Y!38:G%00*&$!Z!7-''%66M-0!38::-&*'+58&!
72.+2%$*%6!
3+&!7G+.4!R.%+2!3.%+5>%!F#%+6!
Q17 : In the future, my ideal Planner would be someone who…
(Top 3 Choices)
Total respondents 237
20. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 20!
W H AT S H O U L D P L A N N E R S S T O P D O I N G ?
I*$!1+2+! I-6*&%66!.%6-026! R%&/NX78:%!
"-#*%&'%!
7%$:%&2!
38:G%55>%!
[+'+G%!
1*$*2+0X)8K*0%!
<.%!
?:%.$*&$!
3;+&&%06!
,.8#-'2!
F&&8>+58&!
38&6-:%.!
<.%!
9%6%+.';!
)%2;8#6!
Q15 : What do you wish Planners would stop obsessing about?
(Top 2)
Total respondents 264
21. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 21!
T H E C L I E N T V I E W
22. B E M Y B U S I N E S S PA R T N E R
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 22!
Despite the relatively low number of client responses (just over 10% of the total) the
client perspective was incredibly concise.
“Understand my business challenges intimately – and give me an insightful
solution.”
It was encouraging to see clients give planning a positive rating. Though there is
general consensus that Planning in Canada has room for improvement, Clients
generally feel more positive about the Planning role and where Planners help.
It is evident that Clients want a genuine partnership with Planners across their entire
business. With a large majority of respondents typifying an ideal Planner as someone
who “can be persuasive in front of senior clients”, its clear that Planners have the
opportunity and license to provide key support and direction through the highest
levels of the client organization.
Building that senior level credibility will require staying focused on the client’s core
business challenges – and not getting distracted by topical issues like Big Data or
particular audience segments.
There’s no denying Clients have high expectations of Planners but they’re equally
keen for Planners to help them do great things. What a spectacular opportunity.
23. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 23!
W H AT C AT E G O R Y A R E Y O U I N ?
,+'4+$%#!
R88#6!
<%';&808$(! V%+02;!Z!
Q%00&%66!
II! "0'8;80X7G*.*26! C*&+&'*+0!
7%.>*'%6!
<.+>%0!Z!
V86G*2+0*2(!
9%2+*0! R8>%.&:%&2! ]79!
Q3 : What category/sector are you a client in?
Total respondents 39
24. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 24!
H O W I S P L A N N I N G D O I N G ?
Q13 : How would you rate the planning function overall in
Canada?
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 24
"!/!Q8.0#!30+66!
I!/!R.%+2!
3!/!@SO!R%T&$!I%A%.!
1!/!988:!M8.!F:G.8>%:%&2!
?!/!F:G.8>%:%&2!#%U&*2%0(!.%J#!
Total respondents 35
25. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 25!
H O W I S P L A N N I N G D O I N G ?
W&#%.62+!<;%!I-6*&%66!3;+00%&$%X@GG8.2-&*2(! 3+&!7G+.4!R.%+2!3.%+5>%!*#%+6! 3+&!I%!,%.6-+6*>%!F&!C.8&2!8M!7&.!30*%&26!
Q16 : A Canadian planner today is someone who…
(Top 3 Choices)
Total respondents 27
26. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 26!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
Q14 : What’s the biggest planning opportunity in Canada?
Total respondents 35
27. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 27!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
W&#%.62+!<;%!I-6*&%66!3;+00%&$%X@GG8.2-&*2(! W&#%.62+!<;%!<+.$%2!"-#*%&'%!F&5:+2%0(! 3+&!7G+.4!R.%+2!3.%+5>%!F#%+6!
Q17 : In the future, my ideal Planner would be someone who…
(Top 3 Choices)
Total respondents 27
28. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 28!
W H AT S H O U L D P L A N N E R S S T O P D O I N G ?
I*$!1+2+! I-6*&%66!.%6-026! R%&/NX78:%!
"-#*%&'%!
7%$:%&2!
38:G%55>%!
[+'+G%!
1*$*2+0X)8K*0%!
<.%!
?:%.$*&$!
3;+&&%06!
,.8#-'2!
F&&8>+58&!
38&6-:%.!
<.%!
"B+.#6!
Q15 : What do you wish Planners would stop obsessing about?
(Top 2)
Total respondents 35
29. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 29!
T H E C R E AT I V E V I E W
30. I N S I G H T S , I N S I G H T S , I N S I G H T S
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 30!
Creative participation in this survey wasn’t as high as we’d have liked at <8% of
total respondents. The feedback we did get was telling, though debatable of how
representative it is for the larger creative community.
“Get me deeper insights so I can develop better work”
The creatives who did respond appear to see see Planning in a linear and sequential
fashion – run research+find “deeper” insights+spark great creative ideas (for me).
That view would, in our opinion, reduce planning to an input versus a partnership
in the development process. A contributor versus a colleague.
Certainly what is a “deeper” insight appears such a crucial requirement for creatives
– and such a key determinant of whether planners are seen as a help or hindrance –
that the Canadian marketing community must resolve it soon. That topic alone
warrants a much larger debate than this report can provide.
There is positive news too. Creatives are definitely looking for planners to be
competent and persuasive in front of senior clients. That alone suggests that
creatives understand, and relish, having a planning partner to sell their solutions.
In our view, that smacks of a genuine opportunity for planners moving forward.
31. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 31!
W H O T O O K PA R T
)-05/D+58&+0! 7%E(!F&#%G%&#%&2! 7G%'*+0*H%#!I8-5J-%! "00!1*$*2+0! 3+&+#*+&!I.+&#!8B&%#!
K(!D%2B8.4L!
@2;%.!
Q10 : Please describe what type of agency you work at
L!/!.%M%.6!28!+$%&'*%6!0*4%!<"NFO!P8;&!62!%2'!
Total respondents 23
32. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 32!
H O W I S P L A N N I N G D O I N G ?
Q13 : How would you rate the Planning function overall in
Canada?
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 32
"!/!Q8.0#!30+66!
I!/!R.%+2!
3!/!@SO!R%T&$!I%A%.!
1!/!988:!M8.!F:G.8>%:%&2!
?!/!F:G.8>%:%&2!#%U&*2%0(!.%J#!
Total respondents 21
33. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 33!
H O W I S P L A N N I N G D O I N G ?
9-&6!+&#!0%+#6!9%6%+.';! W&#%.62+!<;%!I-6*&%66!3;+00%&$%X@GG8.2-&*2(! 3+&!3.+Y!38:G%00*&$!Z!7-''%66M-0!38::-&*'+58&!
Q16 : A Canadian planner today is someone who…
(Top 3 Choices)
Total respondents 20
34. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 34!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
Q14 : What’s the biggest Planning opportunity in Canada?
Total respondents 35
35. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 35!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
3+&!7G+.4!R.%+2!3.%+5>%!F#%+6! 3+&!3.+Y!38:G%00*&$!Z!7-''%66M-0!38::-&*'+58&!
72.+2%$*%6!
3+&!I%!,%.6+-6*>%!F&!C.8&2!8M!7&.!30*%&26!
Q17 : In the future, my ideal Planner would be someone who…
(Top 3 Choices)
Total respondents 20
36. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 36!
W H AT S H O U L D P L A N N E R S S T O P D O I N G ?
I*$!1+2+! I-6*&%66!.%6-026! R%&/NX78:%!
"-#*%&'%!
7%$:%&2!
38:G%55>%!
[+'+G%!
1*$*2+0X)8K*0%!
<.%!
?:%.$*&$!
3;+&&%06!
,.8#-'2!
F&&8>+58&!
38&6-:%.!
<.%!
@2;%.!
Q15 : What do you wish Planners would stop obsessing about?
(Top 2)
Total respondents 21
37. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 37!
P L A N N E R S O N P L A N N I N G
38. PA S S I O N AT E & P O S I T I V E , B U T T H E R E ’ S
S T I L L A WAY T O G O Y E T
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 38!
We were overjoyed by the volume of planners and strategists who leaned into this
first Survey. Over 8o% of our respondents were from this group. Even more
exciting was that we saw participation from planners at all levels of seniority and
across all types of agency environments.
We want to deliver creative and business impact – and challenge the
status quo”
Not surprisingly, the planning respondents gave the planning function a slightly
higher grade but they definitely accept that there remains tremendous opportunity
to get better.
One of the most exciting findings of this report is the notion that there exists
tremendous opportunity to enhance the local training of Canadian planners.
When an international source (WARC) and mentorship from their boss are
considered the lead ways that Canadian planners learn their craft, its clear that this
market needs a more universal, and formalized, method to learn how to be a great
planner.
That’s a finding the APG Canada are definitely taking to heart.
39. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 39!
W H O T O O K PA R T
"#!"$%&'(! )%#*+!"$%&'(! ,-.%/,+(!1*$*2+0! 1%6*$&!"$%&'(! 78'*+0!)%#*+!
+$%&'(!
,9!"$%&'(! 38&6-02+&'(! ,.8:8!"$%&'(! 9%6%+.';!"$%&'(!
Q1 : In which part of the Marketing Services world are you
currently employed?
Total respondents 148
40. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 40!
H O W I S P L A N N I N G D O I N G ?
V+6!"!980%!<;+2!F6!,88.0(!W&#%.6288#X"GG.%'*+2%#! 3+&!7G+.4!R.%+2!F#%+6! 3+&!3.+Y!38:G%00*&$!Z!7-''%66M-0!38::-&*'+58&!
Q16 : A Canadian planner today is someone who…
(Top 3 Choices)
Total respondents 115
41. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 41!
H O W I S P L A N N I N G D O I N G ?
Q13 : How would you rate the Planning function overall in
Canada?
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 41
"!/!Q8.0#!30+66!
I!/!R.%+2!
3!/!@SO!R%T&$!I%A%.!
1!/!988:!M8.!F:G.8>%:%&2!
?!/!F:G.8>%:%&2!#%U&*2%0(!.%J#!
Total respondents 121
42. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 42!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
W&#%.62+!<;%!I-6*&%66!3;+00%&$%X@GG8.2-&*2(! 3+&!3.+Y!38:G%00*&$!Z!7-''%66M-0!
38::-&*'+58&6!
3;+00%&$%6!<;%!72+2-6!]-8!
Q17 : In the future, my ideal Planner would be someone who…
(Top 3 Choices)
Total respondents 115
43. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 43!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
Q14 : What’s the biggest planning opportunity in Canada?
Total respondents 121
44. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 44!
W H AT S H O U L D P L A N N E R S S T O P D O I N G ?
I*$!1+2+! I-6*&%66!.%6-026! R%&/NX78:%!
"-#*%&'%!
7%$:%&2!
38:G%55>%!
[+'+G%!
1*$*2+0X)8K*0%!
<.%!
?:%.$*&$!
3;+&&%06!
,.8#-'2!
F&&8>+58&!
38&6-:%.!
<.%!
@2;%.!
Q15 : What do you wish Planners would stop obsessing about?
(Top 2)
Total respondents 121
45. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 45!
A D E E P E R D I V E O N
C A N A D I A N P L A N N I N G
46. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 46!
P L A N N I N G D E P T H AT A G E N C I E S
^-62!8&%!G%.68&! C%B%.!2;+&!_! _!8.!:8.%! D8&%!/!2;%(`.%!K+6%#!%06%B;%.%!
Q12 : How large is the Planning/Strategy team at your agency?
Total respondents 239
47. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 47!
H O W D O P L A N N E R S L E A R N ?
Q"93! [8'+0!3+&+#*+&!,-K0*'+58&6! 3)"!
Q5 : What Are Your Top 3 Sources for Strategy Learning/Training?
Total respondents 126
48. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 48!
W H AT T R A I N I N G H AV E
P L A N N E R S R E C E I V E D ?
D8&%!/!F`:!+&!">*#!
9%+#%.!
F&M8.:+0!/!@a'%!
0-&';!Z![%+.&6!
)%&28.6;*G!M.8:!:(!
I866!
[8'+0!38&M%.%&'%6! F`:!+!38&M%.%&'%!
^-&4*%!
,.%>*8-6!72-#(!b3"",!
%2'c!
3-..%&20(!72-#(*&$!
Q4 : What kind of Strategy training have you received?
(Click All That Apply)
Total respondents 126
49. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 49!
W H AT E D U C AT I O N B A C K G R O U N D
D O P L A N N E R S H AV E ?
V*$;!7';880!1%$.%%! 78:%!3800%$%! "668'*+2%!1%$.%%! I+';%08.!1%$.%%! ,862/R.+#-+2%!1%$.%%!
Q22 : What is the highest level of Education you have completed?
Total respondents 108
50. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 50!
W H AT E D U C AT I O N B A C K G R O U N D
D O P L A N N E R S H AV E ?
)+.4%5&$! I-6*&%66! 78'*+0!7'*%&'%! ,80*5'+0!7'*%&'%! ,6(';808$(! ^8-.&+0*6:! )8#%.&![+&$-+$%6!
Q23 : What subject did you major in? (Top 7 Choices*)
d! /!?'8&8:*'6O!C*&%!".26!Z!,;*0868G;(!.8-&#!8-2!
2;%!<8G!ef!
Total respondents 108
51. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 51!
S I D E - B Y- S I D E C O M PA R I S O N S
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 51APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 51
S I D E - B Y- S I D E C O M PA R I S O N S
52. P L A N N I N G A S T H E B R I D G E B E T W E E N
C L I E N T A N D C R E AT I V E S
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 52!
Its perhaps not surprising to see that planners align their role with some client
priorities and some creative priorities.
The need to have a credible business acumen coupled with an orientation for
creative solutions is the planners sweet spot based on the feedback from all
respondents. In future, getting closer to the business problem is going to be
paramount for planning’s success – just as critical will be helping craft compelling
creative solutions. A genuine hybrid role.
Encouragingly there is evidence that planners are as well-aligned with client
expectations as they are with creatives aspirations. That seems a great springboard
from which to build meaningful relationships with both sets of stakeholders.
53. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 53!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
W&#%.62+!<;%!
I-6*&%66!3;+00%&$%!
3+&!7G+.4!R.%+2!
3.%+5>%!
3+&!I%!,%.6+-6*>%!F&!
C.8&2!8M!30*%&26!
V+6!+!980%!<;+2!F6!
,88.0(!W&#%.6288#!
3+&!3.+Y!38:G%00*&$!
38::-&*'+58&!
9-&6!Z![%+#6!
9%6%+.';!
!"#$%$&$'()(*+()$,-())./$01*(2$+3$314.1).$5617$891,$:$'61+;.3<$
30*%&2!
,0+&&%.6!
3.%+5>%6!
Total respondents 335
54. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 54!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
!"=$%$>6(0?3$06.$@+AA.30$B-())+)A$1,,1/0C)+02$+)$'()(*(D$
30*%&2!
,0+&&%.6!
3.%+5>%6!
Total respondents 335
55. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 55!
W H AT S H O U L D P L A N N E R S S T O P D O I N G ?
!"E$%$>6(0$*1$21C$5+36$B-())./3$51C-*$301,$1@3.33+)A$(@1C0D$891,$F<$
30*%&2!
,0+&&%.6!
3.%+5>%6!
Total respondents 335
56. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 56!
W H E R E I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y ?
W&#%.62+!<;%!
I-6*&%66!3;+00%&$%!
W&#%.62+!<;%!
<+.$%2!"-#*%&'%!!
3+&!7G+.4!R.%+2!
3.%+5>%!F#%+6!
3+&!3.+Y!38:G%00*&$!
Z!7-''%66M-0!!
3;+00%&$%6!<;%!
72+2-6!]-8!
3+&!I%!,%.6+-6*>%!
!"G$%$H)$06.$IC0C/.J$42$+*.(-$B-())./$51C-*$@.$314.1).$5617$$891,$:<$
30*%&2!
,0+&&%.6!
3.%+5>%6!
Total respondents 335
57. APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 57!
A L I T T L E A B O U T T H E A P G
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 57
A L I T T L E A B O U T T H E A P G
58. We started the Account Planning Group of Canada with a very clear mandate.
We wanted to build the visibility and the credibility of the Planning craft in this
country. We also wanted to build a passionate group of like-minded individuals
who cared about Planning – and who believed deeply that, when executed well, it
could lead to both business-building and award-winning communications.
Since its inception, the APG of Canada has developed a busy event schedule
bringing in speakers to discuss topics from Research to Curiosity to Non-Verbal
Communications. We’re active in social media with a vibrant Twitter and LinkedIn
following (@APGCan if you’re not already following us) and our website regularly
features thought-provoking articles from some of Canadian brightest Planning
minds.
We recently initiated a Membership program to give our Members early access to
great content and, in the future, great discounts on special events. More details on
our website – www.apgcanada.ca
This survey, which we intend to do annually, is just another way in which we’re
striving to raise the Planning game here in Canada. We thank you for taking part
and hope we’ll see you at one of our events real soon.
APG Canada | STATE OF CANADIAN PLANNING 2015 | CONFIDENTIAL 58!
T H E V O I C E O F C A N A D I A N P L A N N I N G