– Rick Davis, Executive VP, chief creative officer, MacLaren McCann, Toronto

No secret this:

Born and bred Canadians have an affinity for the expression ‘eh?’ It’s somewhat of a self-conscious Canadianism, as are most Canadianisms. ‘Am I right or am I wrong?’ it wonders. ‘Will you agree with me?’ it asks. ‘Will it help me avoid confrontation?’ ‘Hopefully, will it make me less declarative?’

Lesley Parrott, who works with me (actually it’s more like I work for her) here at MacLaren McCann has put a distinctly Scottish spin on this Canadianism.

Her’s goes something like this ‘eh!’

Lesley peppers the ending of many of her sentences with ‘eh!’ And it’s very much reflective of her self.

She is most definitely declarative. She is indeed opinionated and strong-willed.

She is not wrong. She is right. (I have learned this the hard way many time over the past few years. One of these days, I shall get it right.) Lesley believes passionately in herself, her family, her friends, her department, her craft, her flowers, her farm, her heritage and she will stand by, and up for, anyone who she believes is being railroaded by bad judgment, lack of compassion or politics. A good way to be, eh? I mean, eh!

This all adds up to a delightful yet strange kind of good-hearted hard-assedness.

Lesley’s heart is, paradoxically, at its softest and heaviest as the anniversary of her daughter’s tragic death comes and goes every year.

Respectfully, we give her the space she needs at this time to go to that place of mind and spirit where parents who have suffered such enormous loss go. This is when, quite humbly, we try to give back the compassion, support and understanding she has given us the rest of the year.

When she returns, Lesley is as feisty, determined and, well, crazy as always (you never heard this from me, but she actually flashes people in the hallways. Not a half flash, mind you. Always a full and proud Scottish flash.)

The richness of Lesley’s personality makes us a better company. She makes us a better creative department. She makes me a better creative director.

I say that quite declaratively and with no self-consciousness.

eh!

– Clive Smith, Executive VP, Nelvana, Toronto

‘Rabbits… with big pointy ears… you know they’re actually antenna?… like radar… you know… ‘

When Lesley called me several years ago with this crazy idea to cast a couple of rabbits in a program that would make kids street smart, not only did I think it was just the kind of wild idea that would work, and indeed a most worthy cause, but an opportunity to get away from bears and ducks for awhile.

‘Rabbits, eh?… hmmm… ‘

The tone of our earliest meeting was quite awesome. Here was a woman, a mother, with a depth of sadness beyond anything I could imagine, throwing around neat ideas about rabbits on skateboards, smart wristwatches that beep and colorful activities that would enlighten our children in the most entertaining and therefore the most effective way possible.

‘Stay Alert Stay Safe’ was born out of an incredibly deep love that Lesley has for the world and everyone around her.

Lesley is a truly remarkable woman. During my brief association with the advertising business it never ceased to amaze me how such a charming, uncomplicated and honest person could survive in that business, let alone rise to the superstatus she has achieved.

Her calm and comforting manner is in total contrast to the normal manic panic approach of most commercial producers, and she sets a tone that encourages people to be their best and allows them to fully explore their talents. Lesley is a breath of fresh air in the industry and totally deserving of the honors bestowed on her.

‘People running around in rabbit suits? on skateboards? at the SkyDome? o.k. Lesley… fine… ‘

– Carlo Trulli, President/executive producer, Spy Films, Toronto

She just keeps going and going and going… ‘

After 30 years in the advertising community, with countless credits for her many achievements, she has without a doubt earned her ’10th Dan Black Belt’ in the art of producing. In the face of her quick wit, razor-sharp mind and her ability to speak the truth, I have witnessed art directors and writers retreat to their dens, creative directors take their bow, and suits beg for forgiveness.

As a dear friend, I have known Lesley for nearly 20 years. We first met at J. Walter Thompson where Lesley helmed the broadcast department of eight producers: Pat White, Alana Lytle, Nancy Thomas, Fran Rutherford, Rick Price, Rea Hilts, Terri Black and me. She became everyone’s mentor and friend.

Over the years she continues to show her compassion and love for humanity, a precious gift that has benefited all of us who have been a part of her life.

To quote a brilliant moment in the film As Good As It Gets, where Helen Hunt demands Jack Nicholson pay her a compliment, Jack replies: ‘You make me want to be a better man.’

– Don McLean, President, The Partners’ Film Company, Toronto

I’ve know Lesley for roughly 33 years. In 1965 she was an 18-year-old commercial producer for Breithaupt Benson Advertising, I was the 32-year-old director of radio and television at Needham Harper and Steers. She has gone on to become one of the premiere agency producers and subsequently head of commercial production at various agencies in Canada. I went into sales.

Her many contributions to this industry are staggering. She was involved in the Canadian Agency Producers Association, in the Commercial Production Association of Toronto, the Institute of Canadian Advertising’s production courses, and more seminars concerning the cost of commercial production than I can count. She functioned as auditor general of our industry during her second time at J. Walter Thompson, compiling an extensive document every year for the agencies and clients on production costs.

She sent me and I’m sure other production companies many young talented people including a scrawny young man in the early ’70s by the name of Ian Leech. She has also helped me out on the numerous occasions when my incredible big mouth has gotten me into trouble.

Lesley is a client, a friend and a person I truly admire. In her business and personal life she is a brave, caring and giving human being. Knowing her is a privilege for all of us.

– Marlene Hore, Creative, The Ongoing Partnership, Toronto

Lesley Parrott was my partner in crime from the time I was a lowly unknown copywriter in J. Walter Thompson’s Montreal’s office (where’s that?) right through to when I was vice chairman and national creative director.

She was always more than a producer, she was an advisor, a confidant and a friend.

We shot Red Rose tea commercials together in England in the summer and Kraft commercials in Northern Ontario in the dead of winter. We won awards together, fought battles together, and had a great time doing it.

But when I say I owe much of my success to Lesley, I’m not just waxing poetic and being mushy. The truth is I do owe much of my success to her. It was at a jwt creative seminar where she sat next to the worldwide creative chairman Bert Manning. In her own inimitable, Scottish, chat-them-up-and-charm-them style, she managed to ensure that Bert knew every commercial he liked on the Canadian reel was done by this unknown junior writer from Montreal. At lunch, Bert Manning asked to meet me.

The rest is history. I don’t think I ever properly thanked Lesley. Until now. Thank-you Lesley for everything.