Iris Communications Expands New Brunswick Presence with Appointment of Allan Gates
Iris Communications Expands New Brunswick Presence with Appointment of Allan Gates
Saint John-based co-founder of Bonfire Communications and Huddle.Today to advise clients across Atlantic Canada
Iris Communications is expanding its presence and capabilities in New Brunswick with the appointment of veteran communications strategist and entrepreneur Allan Gates as Senior Advisor.
Based in Saint John, Gates will work with Iris clients across Atlantic Canada while helping the firm deepen its relationships in the New Brunswick market. He will advise clients on corporate and executive positioning, strategic communications, reputation and crisis management, and stakeholder engagement.
“New Brunswick has always been an important market for Iris, and we want to build on the work and relationships we already have in the province,” said Trevor Floyd, Partner, Iris Communications. “Allan has deep relationships in the New Brunswick business community. He has built and sold two Atlantic Canadian businesses and has spent his career advising organizations and senior leaders. Having him in Saint John gives our clients senior counsel on the ground in the province.”
Gates has spent much of his career advising organizations on complex business and communications challenges. He was the co-founder and president of Bonfire Communications, a Saint John-based marketing communications firm he helped build and lead before its acquisition in 2022. He also co-founded Huddle.Today, a digital business publication focused on Atlantic Canada that was acquired by Acadia Broadcasting Corporation in 2019.
“Allan has a strong track record of helping leaders use communications strategically to advance their business objectives,” said Sean Lewis, Partner, Iris Communications. “He understands how much trusted relationships matter in this region, and that perspective will benefit our clients in New Brunswick and throughout Atlantic Canada.”
Gates said joining Iris provides an opportunity to combine his experience and relationships in New Brunswick with the capabilities of a larger Atlantic Canadian communications team.
“A lot is happening in New Brunswick right now, from major investments and infrastructure projects to companies expanding into new markets and organizations navigating increasingly complex stakeholder environments,” said Gates. “Iris has built a strong reputation for smart, senior-level communications counsel, and I see a real opportunity to bring more of that expertise to organizations across New Brunswick. I’m looking forward to working with Trevor, Sean and the entire Iris team to build on what they have already established here.”
Born and raised in Miramichi, Gates began his career on Parliament Hill, working first for a Nova Scotia Member of Parliament and later for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. He subsequently held progressively senior roles with public relations and marketing agencies in Halifax, Boston, and Saint John before launching Bonfire in 2013.
Gates will also continue to operate Redgate Governance + Leadership Training, where he provides guidance to emerging and established executives on leadership communication skills and executive presence.