About
Inclusionist. Founder, CEO and Chief Creative Officer (one of Canada's top 30) of award-winning Toronto branding and advertising agency Barrett and Welsh (one of Canada's top 50 creative agencies).
Co-founder of People of Colour in Advertising and Marketing and the Multicultural Marketing Alliance of Canada. Though not 100 years old, was chair and jury convenor for Marketing’s inaugural Multicultural jury and its 100th-anniversary jury. Transit brand geek. Shamelessly provides colour to many fine awards juries, including Strategy and Applied Arts. Speaks frequently (and some say too much) at various events.
Created campaigns for Canada, India, Greater China, SE Asia, Korea, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and the UK.
His first jobs: door-to-door market researcher, poet, pharmaceutical sales manager (not a euphemism) and musical production manager. None of them paid well so he went on to a career as an entrepreneur, writer, designer, art director and creative director.
In pursuit of big ideas he has: nibbled on pigs' ears (not on a live pig at the time); gone elephant-back in the Thai jungle (no elephants were hurt); gambled in a Macau casino (was utterly destroyed).
He has targeted: mums, businesswomen, unclejis and auntyjis, male tailors of the Muslim faith, tea drinkers, Scotch drinkers, men who smoke Virginia Slims, people trapped in planes, commuters, voters-on-fences, car mechanics and wedding planners.
His work has been brought to life on screen and page by Deepa Mehta, David Carson, Bruno Barbey and Louis Ng.
His ads: have run in 35 countries, helped elect prime ministers, attracted the ire of the lawyers for Dolly the cloned sheep, drew an angry crowd in Lagos, are studied in business texts in Canada and India and were criticized by a fictional character in a John Irving novel.
His poems: can be found in Understan (Mawenzi House 2020), his new book, in Penguin’s anthology of 14 contemporary Indian poets, Reasons for Belonging and many other fine literary journals.
He has been raised by: four feminists — his mother, his wife, and his 2 daughters.
He has accumulated: a BA (econ.), an MA (eng. lit), and 200+ awards for his work, and a fair bit of grey in his hair. He cannot: sing.
Disciplines: advertising, marketing, ethnic/multicultural marketing, strategy, brand design, speaking/teaching. Categories: Alcohol, Automotive, Financial Services, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate and Development, Transit, Government, Not-for-Profit/Charities, Ethnic Markets. Specialization: idea-driven strategy, advertising, copy, design.
Articles by Gavin
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Coming soon: Black History Month Profiles 2023
Coming soon: Black History Month Profiles 2023
By Gavin Barrett
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When our donations are more than small change
When our donations are more than small change
By Gavin Barrett
Activity
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“All good things must come to an end” I’m ending my 10-month LinkedIn hiatus (which has been amazing btw…) to share that another chapter in my…
“All good things must come to an end” I’m ending my 10-month LinkedIn hiatus (which has been amazing btw…) to share that another chapter in my…
Liked by Gavin Barrett
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I have a couple of great solo senior creatives (AD, CW) with international experience in my network looking for work. Notable brands, big agency…
I have a couple of great solo senior creatives (AD, CW) with international experience in my network looking for work. Notable brands, big agency…
Liked by Gavin Barrett
Experience
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Education
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Activities and Societies: Bombay Poetry Circle
Had the good fortune to be taught by the poets Nissim Ezekiel and Vilas Sarang among others. Nissim took an interest in my work and mentored me - which directly led me to the Bombay Poetry Circle — you could say I was there at its founding. I was at the very first meeting, with Ranjit Hoskote and a bunch of other now notable names, as we read and defended our early work.
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Activities and Societies: Econ. Honours Program, Debate Team, Quiz Team, Creative Writing Team, Improv Team, Undergraduate Journal of Economics, published poetry in the literary journal, I to I, and in the library journal Bibliodelic.
Minors: Political Science, Anthropology, Mass Communications
Learned some critical lessons in independent intellectual thought from the poet Eunice D'Souza. And received an education (in word and example) on cultural understanding from the incredible, irrepressible head of Anthropology, John Macia, s.j. Co-founded with Abhay Ghiara in final year: India's first Undergraduate Journal of Economics (not sure what happened to it!) St Xavier's is the premier liberal arts institution in India and…Minors: Political Science, Anthropology, Mass Communications
Learned some critical lessons in independent intellectual thought from the poet Eunice D'Souza. And received an education (in word and example) on cultural understanding from the incredible, irrepressible head of Anthropology, John Macia, s.j. Co-founded with Abhay Ghiara in final year: India's first Undergraduate Journal of Economics (not sure what happened to it!) St Xavier's is the premier liberal arts institution in India and it is where Barack Obama had his town hall meeting on his 2010 visit to India. -
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Activities and Societies: Elocution, Debate, Field Hockey, Soccer, Quiz
Established in 1780 as a parish school for the Church of St Andrew's (estd. 1575). It moved to its current premises at the corner of St Andrew's and St Dominic's Roads in 1927.
Licenses & Certifications
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Affiliate Member
RGD - Association of Registered Graphic Designers
Issued ExpiresCredential ID 8377A -
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Full Member
League of Canadian Poets
Volunteer Experience
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Advisory Board
Strategy Hall of Marketing Gold
- Present 3 years 8 months
The Hall of Marketing Gold was born on the eve of the Marketing Awards' 100th anniversary in 2022, to recognize the creative powerhouses and agency builders who are revered by their peers and who galvanized the industry. The Advisory Board selects the mega mentors who fostered a culture of creativity, improved the calibre of the work, broke ceilings, gave back to the industry, nurtured talent and elevated Canada on the world stage. https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/HOFAdvisoryBoard/
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Advisory Board Member
Canadian Authors
- Present 5 years 8 months
Arts and Culture
Canadian Authors Association – Toronto branch. Role: advice/counsel to help ensure that programming reflects the diversity of Toronto's writing community.
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Founder
Multicultural Marketing Alliance of Canada
- Present 9 years
Economic Empowerment
In partnership with a peer group of agency heads I co-founded The Multicultural Marketing Alliance of Canada (MMAC). MMAC is the official association of the multicultural marketing, advertising and communications industry in Canada. It is a national, non-profit organization and it was founded by Canada’s leading multicultural marketing agencies in order to champion multicultural communications in Canada.
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Chairperson of the Board
New Canadian Media
- Present 3 years 8 months
Arts and Culture
2022-23 Chair. 2021-22 Co-chair, with Yaa-Hemaa Obiri-Yeboah. New Canadian Media (NCM) is a member-based Canadian non-profit that exists to prioritize reporting on immigrant issues while showcasing immigrant journalism and amplifying the work of journalists from various immigrant/ethnic backgrounds.
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Member
League of Canadian Poets
- 1 month
Arts and Culture
The League of Canadian Poets is the professional organization for established and emerging Canadian poets. Founded over 50 years ago to nurture the advancement of poetry in Canada, and the promotion of the interests of poets, it now comprises over 800 members. The League serves the poetry community as the recognized voice of Canadian poets, and represents their concerns to governments, publishers, and society at large, and maintains connections with similar organizations at home and abroad…
The League of Canadian Poets is the professional organization for established and emerging Canadian poets. Founded over 50 years ago to nurture the advancement of poetry in Canada, and the promotion of the interests of poets, it now comprises over 800 members. The League serves the poetry community as the recognized voice of Canadian poets, and represents their concerns to governments, publishers, and society at large, and maintains connections with similar organizations at home and abroad. Members of the League are professional poets who are actively contributing to the development, growth, and public profile of poetry in Canada.
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Series Curator
The Tartan Turban Secret Readings
- Present 7 years 4 months
Arts and Culture
Founder, host and series co-curator of the Tartan Turban Secret Readings, a Toronto reading series that aims to give visible minority and indigenous writers a stage.
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Board of Directors Member
Creative Spirit Art Centre
- 1 year 11 months
Arts and Culture
I served as a member of the board of directors for Canadian non-profit Creative Spirit Art Centre. Founded by Ayako Ellen Anderson (who is also Executive Director), Creative Spirit Art Centre is dedicated to advancing the creative power in artists with disabilities. The Centre housed a public art gallery and studio along with an information centre and gift shop dedicated to universal access. It was a space where artists with disabilities can make, exhibit and sell their work and integrate into…
I served as a member of the board of directors for Canadian non-profit Creative Spirit Art Centre. Founded by Ayako Ellen Anderson (who is also Executive Director), Creative Spirit Art Centre is dedicated to advancing the creative power in artists with disabilities. The Centre housed a public art gallery and studio along with an information centre and gift shop dedicated to universal access. It was a space where artists with disabilities can make, exhibit and sell their work and integrate into the mainstream arts community. In its publications and exhibitions, Creative Spirit Art Centre celebrated the achievements of individuals living with disabilities and brings to light the challenges they continue to face, helping art lovers to look beyond preconceived notions of disability and honour the creative spirit of each artist. It was the Ontario representative for Very Special Arts (VSA Arts), the international non-profit organization founded by Jean Kennedy Smith that aims to “create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts.”
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Branding, advertising and marketing counsel; pro bono services
Creative Spirit Art Centre
- 11 years 1 month
Arts and Culture
We supported the work of this extraordinary organization since 2008, by providing branding and advertising and strategic communicatons support.
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Member
New Canadian Media
- Present 5 years 8 months
Arts and Culture
New Canadian Media (NCM) is a member-based Canadian non-profit that exists to showcase immigrant journalism and amplify the work of journalists from various immigrant/ethnic backgrounds. Immigrants are among Canada’s marginalized communities, meaning that their views are not adequately reflected in public discourse, including through the media.
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Lector + Web Admin of Parishioner Website
Corpus Christi Catholic Parish Toronto
- Present 13 years 3 months
Publications
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The house she built for her father and Miracle
Joao Roque Literary Journal, Issue 21 (Summer 2021).
See publicationJoao Roque Literary Journal supports Goan writers worldwide.
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Understan
Mawenzi House
See publicationAcross space and time, crossing continents and decades, in this volume the poet uses memory and the minutiae of daily life to unravel the mysteries of love and death. He examines belief and superstition, on occasion prays, and delights in the sight of the familiar and the strange, the young and the old. In his journey, the poet is lost but holds up the map to everywhere and everyone. Mawenzi House is one of Canada's most respected independent publishers and focuses on bringing to the reading…
Across space and time, crossing continents and decades, in this volume the poet uses memory and the minutiae of daily life to unravel the mysteries of love and death. He examines belief and superstition, on occasion prays, and delights in the sight of the familiar and the strange, the young and the old. In his journey, the poet is lost but holds up the map to everywhere and everyone. Mawenzi House is one of Canada's most respected independent publishers and focuses on bringing to the reading public fresh new writing from Canada and across the world that reflects the diversity of our rapidly globalizing world.
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Reasons for Belonging: 14 Contemporary Indian Poets
Viking
"This anthology features most of the well-known poets, born between the late 1950s and the late 1960s, who belong to what has been described as the second generation of post-colonial Indian poets, some of the most striking voices in contemporary Indian poetry in English. Hoskote pushes the envelope by including voices from the third generation comprising 1950s- and 1960s born poets whose has come to public notice during the late 1990s, and poets born in the early 1970s. These poets are at home…
"This anthology features most of the well-known poets, born between the late 1950s and the late 1960s, who belong to what has been described as the second generation of post-colonial Indian poets, some of the most striking voices in contemporary Indian poetry in English. Hoskote pushes the envelope by including voices from the third generation comprising 1950s- and 1960s born poets whose has come to public notice during the late 1990s, and poets born in the early 1970s. These poets are at home in the world. Most of them operate from India's metropolitan centres, and their poetry reflects the formal assurance and urbane fluency of that position. They celebrate the possibilities of hybridity; they are cosmopolitan in their attitudes, and English is their first language of creative expression. Their poetry emerges from the metropolitan experience: speed, exchange, novelty, interplay, violence, solitude and isolation, and nostalgia for other regions and states of being. And their tones range from frenzy and anger through coolness to quietness and reflection. Together, they extend the scope, scale and modes of poetry, and its relationship with the world." http://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Belonging-Fourteen-Contemporary-Indian/dp/0670890944/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1363126827&sr=8-7
Other authors -
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Toronto Review of Contemporary Writing
TSAR: MG Vassanji
See publicationLong poem titled Apologia, published in this literary periodical.
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The IndX
Bookwallahs, Hong Kong
Created for expatriates from India, the IndX was a guide to living, working and doing business in 10 Asian countries and a directory of Indians and Indian businesses in those 10 countries.
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Courses
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American Poetry
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Anthropology
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Child Development and Child Psychology
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Economics
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English Fiction and Drama
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English Literature
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English Poetry
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Indian Literature in English
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Literary Criticism
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Mass Communications
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Master of Arts
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Political Science
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Projects
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Dalai Lama 2012
- Present
There is one reason why people will attend a talk. Only one reason. Because of the speaker.
A great speaker speaks of great truths. Eternal truths - truths that live on.
And we want to hear what he has to say because it has value.
Because it will change us - change our lives. Because we have limited opportunities to hear him speak in person, to see him in the flesh. Because we believe he won’t be here forever but his words will live on.
We can say we have heard them, live…There is one reason why people will attend a talk. Only one reason. Because of the speaker.
A great speaker speaks of great truths. Eternal truths - truths that live on.
And we want to hear what he has to say because it has value.
Because it will change us - change our lives. Because we have limited opportunities to hear him speak in person, to see him in the flesh. Because we believe he won’t be here forever but his words will live on.
We can say we have heard them, live.
And we hope when we speak, others will hear that they live on.Other creators -
Honors & Awards
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Silver: United Way Mended Lives
Cassies
http://cassies.ca/content/caselibrary/winners/UNITEDWAY2003.pdf
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Merit: Advertising and Design Club of Canada
Advertising and Design Club of Canada
http://archive.theadcc.ca/islandora/object/adcc%3A9832
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Merit: RBC
Advertising and Design Club of Canada
http://archive.theadcc.ca/islandora/object/adcc%3A9832
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
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Hindi
Limited working proficiency
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French
Limited working proficiency
Organizations
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League of Canadian Poets
Associate Member
- PresentEstablished in 1966, the League of Canadian Poets is a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, engaging, and promoting poets and poetry in Canada.
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The Canadian Authors Association
Professional Member
- PresentThe Canadian Authors Association (CAA) is a national organization with a local presence dedicated to promoting a flourishing community of writers across Canada and to encouraging works of literary and artistic merit.
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RGD
Affiliate Member
- PresentAn Affiliate Member of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers.
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The Advertising and Design Club of Canada
Member
- PresentSince 1948, The Advertising & Design Club of Canada has dedicated itself to one simple mission: inspiring creativity. As a non-profit organization, it strives to encourage the highest possible quality of work in Canadian advertising and design.
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