TORONTO, Aug. 3, 2011 /CNW/ – Ken Whyte, Executive Vice-President,
Rogers Publishing Limited, today announced the appointment of Steve
Maich as Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Sportsnet magazine. Launching in late September, the publication will be
Canada’s first national bi-weekly sports magazine focusing on sports
stories that matter most to Canadians.
In his new role, Maich will be responsible for leading the editorial
vision and direction of the magazine, and will assume overall
responsibility for the operational and strategic business elements of
producing the publication. These responsibilities include assembling
one of the most talented teams of sports writers, editors,
photographers and designers in the country.
“Steve is a terrific journalist and is very talented at assembling teams
that deliver compelling content,” said Whyte. “He is a natural choice
for leading the team that will bring Sportsnet to life in this fourth medium. Steve has a deep knowledge of the
brand, great enthusiasm for the subject matter, and a wonderful
understanding of the Canadian spirit in sport.”
The launch of the publication brings the Sportsnet brand to four
platforms: television, radio, digital and print, and as a result, will
deliver to Canadians sports coverage anytime, anywhere, in any medium.
Maich has been with Rogers Publishing Limited for seven years. Most
recently, Maich was group publisher of Rogers’ consumer business
magazines—Canadian Business, PROFIT, and MoneySense—and Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Business where, in 2009, he led a complete redesign and re-launch of Canada’s
oldest and best-selling business publication. Before that, Maich was
Executive Editor of Maclean’s, Canada’s national current affairs magazine. While at Maclean’s he won three National Magazine Awards for his writing, including a 2008
silver award for sports for his story “The Concussion Time Bomb,” about
retired athletes with brain injuries. He is also co-author of the 2007
book “The Ego Boom.”
“As a life-long sports fan, I’ve felt for a long time that Canada needed
its own sports magazine, focused on the stories and icons that we are
passionate about,” said Maich. “To be entrusted with the opportunity
to help create the magazine I always wanted to read, with the
resources, backing and expertise of a media company like Rogers, is a
dream job. I’m honoured to be chosen for it.”
The magazine’s deep roster of editorial and design talent will produce
Canada’s leading source of in-depth perspective, insider reports and
exclusive insight on the world of sports. The publication will provide
the kind of unique experience only magazines can—by harnessing the
power of the printed word and breathtaking visuals. Whether long-form
journalism or a shorter point-of-view, the content will be filtered
through a Canadian lens. Pages will be injected with spirit, stunning
photography, emotion and sex appeal. More than anything, the magazine
will tell the stories of the people who bring the world of sports to
life—their dreams, struggles, disappointments and triumphs.
The magazine will be published 26 times per year and will launch with a
circulation of 100,000 copies.
About Rogers Media Inc.
Rogers Media Inc., a division of Rogers Communications Inc., (TSX: RCI;
NYSE: RCI), operates Rogers Broadcasting and Rogers Publishing. Rogers
Broadcasting has 55 AM and FM radio stations across Canada. Television
properties include 5 Citytv stations as well as five OMNI multicultural
television stations. Rogers Sportsnet, the Canadian leader in NHL and
MLB broadcasts, is comprised of five channels, all of which are
available nationally and in high definition. The Shopping Channel is a
televised and Internet shopping service. Rogers Publishing produces
many well-known consumer magazines such as Maclean’s, Chatelaine,
Flare, L’actualité and Canadian Business, and is the leading publisher
of a number of marketing, medical and financial publications. All media
properties are integrated with their own popular websites. Rogers Media
also owns The Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club and Rogers Centre, a
year-round sports and entertainment facility.