Public Relations

Executive Team

We firmly believe that a firm is only as good as the people who work there. At Delta Media, we have strived to maintain a team of experienced and intelligent communicators with diverse backgrounds. No matter what the job, Delta Media has the experience to get the results you need.

Timothy M. Kane, Chairman

Tim founded Delta Media following nearly two decades with leading advertisers, advertising and public relations agencies, as well as governments in Canada and abroad. He is recognized as a strategic and creative communications planner who is attuned to public and political environments.

In addition to his responsibilities as chairman of Delta Media Inc., Tim has served as chairman of the Americas region board of directors of the Worldcom Public Relations Group Inc. He is also a former advisor to Worldcom's global board on trademark issues.

He was one of the first recipients of the Alumni of Distinction Awards given by St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario and was nominated in 2000 for the Ontario Premier's Award for outstanding contributions to his community and profession.

In 2001, following the Sept 11 terrorist attacks, Tim was co-chair of the Canada Loves New York campaign in Ottawa. In 2002, he was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to Canada.

In 2007, Tim led the renewal of the National Press Club of Canada. In 2008, he was honoured as the first inductee to the Algonquin College’s Media Hall of Fame in the public relations category.

Sheena Pennie, President

Co-founder of Delta Media (1991), Sheena has provided strategic communications counsel on many of Canada's highest profile issues over the past 28 years, 13 of which were spent with the Federal Government. She has also served as official spokesperson in French and English on several sensitive files, including the GST, DND and Library and Archives Canada.

Sheena has extensive experience in leading national and international media relations programs that require well-developed and executed media strategies, media accreditation/handbooks, media briefings and carefully managed media pools for high-profile photo-ops. She is well versed in conducting special events with VIPs, public officials and dignitaries such as the Governor General, current and past Prime Ministers and foreign Heads of State, where official protocols must be adhered to and respected.

Fluently bilingual, Sheena earned her Bachelor of Science in Language (Hons.) degree from Laurentian University, in Sudbury, Ontario, where she majored in translation and interpretation. Sheena has been nominated for both the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Ottawa Businesswoman of the Year Award and is often called upon by Canada’s national media to comment on political campaigns – from ads to candidates to party leaders.

William Stairs, Chief Executive Officer

William joined Delta Media in the fall of 2011, after almost two decades of hands-on experience at some of the highest levels of government.  He has worked as communications director to two federal party leaders, and served the Prime Minister as director of issues management.  He has also served as chief of staff to the Minister of Justice & Attorney-General of Canada, the Minister of International Cooperation (CIDA), and the President of the Treasury Board.  Prior to this he worked in the Senate of Canada as a researcher, media and public policy analyst, and speech writer.

William brings a host of valuable skills to Delta Media and its clients.  He has practical, front-line experience in media relations, strategic communications, crisis management, media messaging, and the crafting of concise and effective communications products. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of the public policy process, and the inner workings of the federal political, bureaucratic and parliamentary systems.  And he enjoys an excellent reputation as a solid and prudent manager of people, resources and budgets.

Ken Anderson, Vice President

With more than 30 years in communications as a broadcaster, reporter, editor, communications director and consultant, Ken Anderson is a seasoned communications strategist, media relations specialist and public relations practitioner. As Vice President of Delta Media, Ken is responsible for the high-level thinking that goes into many of the firm’s most successful strategic communications and media relations plans. He also leads the development and delivery of Delta Media's training seminars.

Over his career, Ken has managed communications initiatives ranging from prime ministerial news conferences to internal communications initiatives for clients such as the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Natural Resources Canada and Parks Canada Agency. He has contributed his marketing savvy to campaigns for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada Lands Company CLC Ltd. and the Canadian Internet Registration Authority.

He is a graduate of the Political Studies program at the University Guelph.

Karen Bennett, Vice President, Client Services

Karen Bennett is Vice President, Client Services at Delta Media where she has provided public relations, strategic communications and event planning expertise to clients such as; the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Portrait Gallery of Canada.

Karen Bennett joined Delta Media following seven years serving the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Karen’s experience encompasses all aspects of communications and marketing. She has successfully mounted campaigns incorporating local, national and international communications services, event planning and strategic marketing programs.

Karen began her professional career with Environment Canada, where she lent her communications expertise to the implementation of the Species at Risk Act and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), both major initiatives designed to protect endangered species and habitats. In her role as communications advisor, she wrote and managed the production of a wide variety of communications products and managed media monitoring on several key issues. She also served as junior editor of the quarterly magazine, Birdscapes.

Karen earned her Honours Degree, with distinction, in Communications at the University of Ottawa, where she focused her studies in marketing, public relations, and international business.

Bernard Gauthier, M.A., Executive Counsel

With more than 22 years of experience in PR, strategic communications planning, crisis communications and advertising, Bernard’s clients include leaders in government, the association sector and health care. As President of the firm’s research subsidiary, Vision Research Inc., he has developed innovative ways for clients to gain valuable insights into their audiences.

Bernard is a Professor of Public Relations at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario. He is currently completing his PhD at the Carleton School of Journalism and Communication, where he also taught courses in advertising and public relations. He is a frequent commentator on political image and advertising, having appeared on CTV, CBC Newsworld, Global News, CHUM Television as well as leading radio stations and newspapers across Canada.

Read Bernard's blog

Mike Storeshaw, Executive Counsel

Mike joined the Public Affairs Strategy Group after nearly a decade of experience in the field of political communications, working at the highest levels. Most recently, Mike served as the Director of Communications to the federal Minister of Finance, and worked in the same capacity for the Minister of Justice and the President of the Treasury Board. Prior to his time in government, he led a team of communications professionals within the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

Mike has led the communications planning and execution of major government events and projects, including federal budgets, international meetings and conferences, and legislative launches. He has served as a principal spokesperson, and has provided strategic advice and counsel to political figures at all levels, including media training to everyone from the newest candidates for office to the most established Members of Parliament and Cabinet ministers.

Mike keeps up to date on changing priorities in the government and appears as a political commentator. He has a broad and diverse network of media contacts at the national, regional and local level. His understanding of the way reporters, producers and editors work is of immense value for clients, regardless of their public relations goals.

Mike earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, where he specialized in marketing.