TORONTO — Zeno Group has hired Julie Georgas, founder of local firm Instigator Communications, to the role of MD of Zeno Canada, overseeing the US-based agency's nine-person office in Toronto. 

Georgas will manage Zeno's growing presence in Canada, which was established in 2010, while providing strategic and creative counsel to current clients while further developing the agency's global portfolio and reputation. Her arrival follows the departure of former Zeno Canada MD Cynthia Zamaria after four years in the role.

While Instigator closes after a decade specializing in consumer, corporate and B2B public relations, several of the agency's clients are moving with Georgas to Zeno, including Global Pet Foods, Posterjack, New York Fries, Pusateri's Fine Foods and Muskoka Brewery. 

"I instantly connected with Zeno's fearless, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude and value-driven approach for clients," said Georgas. "As a midsize global agency, Zeno is agile, entrepreneurial and scrappy like Instigator, yet big enough to handle the largest and most complex assignments all over the world. I am proud to join the Zeno team and their pursuit of the unexpected."

Nancy Ruscheinski, Zeno's chief operating officer, believes Georgas' arrival will complement Zeno's culture. 

"I think I knew from the moment I met her that Julie was fearless and fiercely loyal to her clients, both hallmarks of Zeno leaders," Ruscheinski said. "She also brings diverse expertise, more than a decade of communications experience in brand marketing, corporate reputation and digital content strategy spanning retail, hospitality, food and beverage, consumer health, entertainment, sports, technology and CPG."

Zeno is a global, midsize agency with approximately 400 employees across offices located in North America, Asia and Europe. The firm is part of the Daniel J. Edelman group of companies.