Canadian Broadcast Sales President Patrick Grierson Announces Retirement
– The Canadian broadcast veteran will retire on May 31, 2017 –
TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2016 /CNW/ – With a radio career spanning more than 40 years, Patrick Grierson, Founder and President of Canadian Broadcast Sales (CBS), will retire as leader of the largest national radio sales organization in Canada on May 31, 2017. After founding CBS in 1993, Grierson has been at the helm for the past 23 years, helping to increase the company’s collective market presence to reach 80 per cent of all Canadians. Following his retirement, Grierson will remain part of the CBS family in an advisory role until May 2018. Details on his successor will be announced in the coming months.
“We at CBS are so blessed to have fostered a wonderful corporate culture of dedication and innovation,” said Grierson. “I truly feel like I haven’t worked a day in 40 years.”
“A true pioneer, Patrick’s innovative spirit and visionary prowess has had a lasting impact on the Canadian radio landscape,” said Julie Adam, Senior Vice President, Rogers Radio. “I have had the pleasure of working with Patrick for more than a decade, and during that time he has become not only a mentor, but a trusted friend. I wish him all the very best.”
“Patrick has been a powerful voice for radio with advertisers and deserves endless praise for his years of service to the industry,” said Troy Reeb, Senior Vice President, Global News, Corus Radio and Station Operations. “His work has not only strengthened CBS but broadcasting itself, by bringing together competing broadcasters and their clients. He leaves a lasting impact and his tenacity and legendary sense of humour will be missed.”
After joining Standard Broadcasting in the 1970s where he held a variety of positions, Grierson was appointed president of the Standard Broadcast Sales Radio division following the Slaight purchase of the company in 1985. Then, in 1987 he founded the creation of United Broadcast Sales (UBS), a merger of Western Broadcast Sales (WIC) and Standard Broadcast Sales, and subsequently operated as President and CEO of UBS until 1993.
In 1993 Grierson brought together UBS and All Canada to create the dominant radio sales company in Canada. CBS is Canada’s largest radio representation company, with offices in every major advertising agency centre, and is responsible for just short of 60 per cent of all national radio sales in Canada – representing 43 broadcasters and more than 400 radio stations (including repeaters) in 221 Canadian markets. CBS is jointly owned by Rogers and Corus Entertainment.
About Corus Entertainment Inc
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B), a leading media and content company that creates and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children’s book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic Channel, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.
About Rogers:
Rogers is a leading diversified Canadian communications and media company that’s working to deliver a great experience to our customers every day. We are Canada’s largest provider of wireless communications services and one of Canada’s leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet, information technology, and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers Media, we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, sports, televised and online shopping, magazines, and digital media. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).
SOURCE Rogers Media
