Veteran Traffic Reporter Russ Holden Celebrates 50 Years at Rogers Media and Announces Retirement

TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2017 /CNW/ – After a celebrated 50-year career at Rogers Media, beloved 680 NEWS and Breakfast Television Toronto traffic reporter Russ Holden announced his retirement. Holden has the distinguished honour of being the second longest-serving employee ever at Rogers.

“For the past 50 years, I’ve been truly fortunate to turn my passion for flying and reporting into a career,” said Holden.

Holden joined the company in 1967 in the operations department at 98.1 CHFI, followed by years in commercial and program production. Soon after, Holden took to the sky as an airborne traffic reporter, spending decades informing Toronto and cottage country radio audiences of the latest traffic news. He later moved to 680 NEWS when it first hit the airwaves in 1993 as a traffic reporter, helping solidify the success of the all-news radio station. Most recently, Holden has been a fan favourite on Breakfast Television Toronto.

“Russ is deeply entrenched in the Toronto community and has been part of listeners’ and viewers’ morning routine for decades. He is truly passionate and dedicated to his craft, and is an exemplary member of our Rogers family,” said Rick Brace, President, Rogers Media. “The late Ted Rogers named Russ ‘a true pioneer’, and I couldn’t agree more.”

During his time at 680 NEWS, Holden was an integral member of the on-air team, winning numerous awards including Canadian RTDNA and Edward R. Murrow Awards. Holden contributed to award-winning coverage, including his traffic reports during the SARSStock Relief Concert in 2003, G20 protests in 2010, and a breakdown of the subway system during the morning drive in June 2015.

A supportive mentor to his colleagues, Holden has also spent years teaching broadcast at Ryerson University, Centennial College and Seneca College.

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

For further information: Media Contact: Elisa Barbaro, Rogers Media, elisa.barbaro@rci.rogers.com, 647.388.9403