James Deeks

President, Primary Counsel Group Inc.

An honours History and Political Science graduate of the University of Toronto's Trinity College, Jim Deeks has enjoyed an immensely varied and distinctive career, which has touched many facets of the communications industry:

• advertising copywriter and account director (MacLaren Advertising, Toronto and London, England)
• municipal affairs correspondent (CITY-TV) and bureau chief, anchorman and Business Editor (CFTO-TV)
• director of communications for the Leader of the Opposition (Ontario Government)
• executive director, Canadian Open Championship, Peter Jackson Champions, Export 'A' Skins Game
• managing director, Carlton Video Communications, U.S. and Canadian award-winning corporate/broadcast production company
• senior vice-president, Goodman Communications
• founder and president, Primary Counsel Group Inc.

In addition to project work with several clients, Jim is currently retained as the Executive Director of two business associations: the RESP Dealers Association of Canada; and the Diabetes Committee of MEDEC, which includes companies such as Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, and Roche Diagnostics.

As a public relations practitioner, Jim has worked on an extensive variety of corporate, marketing, event and sponsorship projects. One particular strength and area of concentration has been crisis and issues management, and most recently he has been retained by clients affected by tainted blood products, a 'rogue' employee, product recalls, criminal allegations, a corporate acquisition, and a high profile individual receiving consistently negative media coverage.

Over the years, Jim has worked with and advised some of Canada's largest and most successful companies, including General Motors, Imperial Oil, Maple Lodge Farms, Molson, Sunbeam Canada, TD Bank, and Nissan. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of two volunteer organizations.

Jim and his wife Barbara, a successful interior designer, live in Toronto and have two sons who both work with prominent corporations.

For more information: jdeeks@primarycounsel.com