Niel is a Toronto-based entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience in marketing, media and the automotive industry.

In 2010, Niel started Universus Media Group Inc., a marketing agency specialized in the automotive industry. Universus is also the publisher of Canadian auto dealer magazine and Affaires automobiles magazine (French), the leading media for new car dealers in Canada.

Universus expanded in 2021 with the launch of subsidiary Clarify Group Inc. Clarify Group combines research and consulting with a national coaching team to bring insights and solutions to business challenges across the automotive and mobility ecosystem.

Clarify is particularly focused on evolving the automotive customer experience, and the transition to EV-based mobility.

Prior to launching Universus, Niel served as the leader of CLB Media Inc., one of Canada’s largest business-to-business media companies, and is a founding member of KPMG’s Digital Strategies consulting practice. He has held a variety of directorships for both Canadian and US organizations, and is a frequent speaker and panel moderator at automotive industry events.

Niel holds an MBA in marketing from McGill University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University.