Co-Founder/Visionary - Tony LaSorda

Graduating from the University of Windsor with an Honours BA in Business and Human Resources in 1978, Tony began his career at Procter & Gamble Canada. Over the subsequent eight years he worked in the company’s Sales, Marketing and Merchandising divisions. In 1986, Tony left P&G and founded his own company, Sales & Merchandising Group, where he pioneered the “3rd party industry” in Canada, providing outsourced sales, merchandising and event marketing services. Ten years later, Sales & Merchandising Group merged with Mosaic Group Inc., and as Vice-Chairman/CEO for North America, Tony helped lead the company’s expansion into the United States market through a series of acquisitions, dramatically increasing North American revenue and expanding the depth and breadth of the client base.

As a founding partner of Encore Market Engagement, Tony brought a unique set of skills that enabled him to excel in the areas of sales strategy and operational design. His extensive experience managing large organizations included responsibility across a wide range of North American industries, comprised of consumer packaged goods, financial, technology, alcohol beverage, data collection services and wireless. At Encore, he helped to lay the groundwork for the vision and operating principles which we hold as touchstones for our team today.

On March 13, 2011, our friend and partner Tony passed away due to a rare heart condition which he had battled over the preceding six years. A research foundation was established in his name, The LaSorda Fellowship at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, which supports the great work of Dr. Heather Ross and team.  While his presence will be missed, the imprint of his leadership remains. He was passionate regarding the vision of Encore Market Engagement and the unique role it is playing in helping clients win. Tony's contribution to the industry and to Encore was exemplary and continues to act as our inspiration in building an outstanding organization, working with great Clients...Doing it Right. Together!