Dave Sommer brings more than two decades of combined experience in communications, politics and digital strategy to his current role helping brands and institutions develop impactful messaging that resonates with their audiences. As Vice-President, Strategic Communications, at Enterprise Canada, he leads the team focused on communications strategy and support, issues management preparation, media training, public relations, digital content creation and creator partnerships. Dave has supported some of Canada’s most well-known brands, government agencies and associations with urgent digital public affairs campaigns, crisis communications, long-term strategic planning, and hands-on content creation. He has led teams in conceiving, developing and publishing compelling and persuasive ad creative – going from initial client meetings to campaign launches in just days. His extensive knowledge of what works in the digital space has helped clients refresh and renew their online presence or create new ones from scratch, with great success. He is also the co-chair of Enterprise Canada’s working group on Artificial Intelligence, helping to draft and implement our policy for the safe and responsible use of AI products both internally and externally.

Prior to joining Enterprise in 2023, Dave was Head of Politics and Government at Instagram in Washington, DC, where he advised global political leaders, government agencies, NGOs and IGOs on digital strategy and best practices. He also conceived, developed and shipped on-platform products – such as digital voter registration and participation badges – to help Instagram’s users celebrate key elections and other civic events around the world. Previously, he served as Deputy Director of Communications, Digital, for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa. From the history-making 2015 federal election campaign to 2019, Dave led the team responsible for all the Prime Minister’s video, web and social media properties,  conceiving, writing and producing all digital products in the PMO, as well as planning long-term strategy, and coordination with ministries. Before that, he worked as a reporter, editor and producer in various Canadian radio and TV newsrooms, including CTV National News, where he was headlines and promotions producer. Born and raised in Montreal, he now lives in Toronto with his partner and their 2 children.