ACA Gold Medal Awarded to Tracey Cooke - Nestlé Canada | CMO, SVP, Marketing and Commercialization

Tracey Cooke, an innovative and dynamic leader with a proven track record in the marketing and communications industry, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Gold Medal by the Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA). This distinguished award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of marketing communications in Canada.

With a career spanning over two decades, Cooke has become a recognized force in the industry. She has held senior positions at agencies like McLaren McCann and Public Inc. before moving client side, where she now serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nestlé Canada. During her 11 years at Nestlé, Cooke has driven significant advancements in marketing and brand strategy. Her leadership has elevated the Nestlé brand, overseeing media, consumer insights, digital transformation, and product commercialization. In recognition of her contributions, Cooke was named the 2022 recipient of The Marketing Academy US Fellowship, and one of Marketing News Canada’s 24 Marketers to Watch in 2024.

Her visionary leadership and innovative strategies have significantly influenced the company’s brand presence and market share. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving growth, elevating brand engagement, and fostering a culture of creativity within the organization. Her ability to navigate complex challenges, coupled with her passion for driving meaningful results, has earned her the respect and admiration of peers and colleagues alike.

Cooke’s work has consistently demonstrated a commitment to creative excellence and consumer engagement. She spearheaded Nestlé Canada’s award-winning ‘KitKat Ramadan Iftar Bar’ campaign. This campaign not only resonated deeply with the Canadian Muslim community but also showcased Cooke's ability to blend cultural sensitivity with compelling brand storytelling. Building on this success, Cooke's leadership also drove the innovative ‘KitKat Have AI Break’ campaign, which earned a Gold from Ad Age in 2024 as well as a Silver Lion from Cannes.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Cooke is known for her dedication to mentorship and advocacy within the marketing community. She sits on the board of the ACA, where she also serves as the Board Sponsor for the Cross Media Measurement Committee and Chair of the Governance Committee. She is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, actively promoting initiatives that empower women and underrepresented groups in the industry. Cooke was recently recognized as a 2023 Star Women in Grocery Award winner by Canadian Grocer, further cementing her status as a leader in both business and community impact.

"The impact of Tracey’s leadership in the marketing industry has been exceptional," said Andrea Hunt, President & CEO of the Association of Canadian Advertisers. "Her extensive contributions have not only advanced Nestlé Canada’s commercial performance but have also enriched the broader marketing community in Canada. We are proud to recognize Tracey with the ACA Gold Medal Award."

“I am truly honored to receive this prestigious award and recognition. With a career that has had many twists and turns across a number of industries, it is so humbling to receive this for Marketing, a profession and discipline that has the capacity to uplift, drive social change and yes, build incredible brands and business. I want to thank the amazing Marketing community at Nestle who embrace the future every day single day with the possible, the amazing team I work with who always see change as an accelerant and are all in with their brilliance, and the ACA for the nomination and support.”

Under her guidance, Nestlé Canada has not only achieved significant business growth but has also embarked on a journey towards greater corporate responsibility and community engagement. Cooke’s influence extends beyond traditional marketing; she is a catalyst for change, inspiring her teams and the industry to think differently and to act with purpose.

The ACA Gold Medal Award will be presented to Cooke at the Strategy Awards on October 1 at The Arcadian Court in Toronto, where industry leaders will gather to celebrate her outstanding achievements and contributions to Canadian marketing.

About the ACA Gold Medal Award

The ACA Gold Medal Award is:

• Open to all individuals in activities that have an impact on marketing communications in Canada (client marketers, agencies, media, researchers, academics, associations, etc.)
• Awarded for a single achievement or for accomplishments over time
• Presented to a candidate whose contributions represent a measurable, distinctive advancement in the practice of marketing communications in Canada

Since its inception, the ACA Gold Medal Award has recognized a distinguished list of industry leaders and visionaries. View the full list of past honorees.

About ACA

ACA is the indispensable advocate and thought leader for Canadian marketers, and the champion of a transparent and accountable marketplace. A national, not-for-profit association, it speaks on behalf of more than 300 companies and divisions. To learn more, please visit www.acaweb.ca.