Quebecor executive Caroline Paquet will take the helm of Cogeco Media and its 23 radio stations, effective July 5.
Paquet steps into the President’s role vacated by Michel Lorrain in December when he announced he was leaving “to pursue personal interests,” according to a company announcement. Lorrain had been with Cogeco since 2007 and President since 2018.
Paquet comes into the job following nearly two decades with Quebecor, where she’s most recently served as Vice-President, Marketing and Content, at Vidéotron since 2017. Paquet was instrumental in the development of the business plan for the Club Illico on-demand platform and subsequent launch. Prior to joining Quebecor, she held leadership positions with various marketing and advertising agencies.
“We are delighted to welcome Caroline to the Cogeco family. Her extensive media and marketing expertise will help strengthen Cogeco Media’s already enviable position on Québec’s radio landscape,” said Philippe Jetté, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cogeco, in a release. “Over the past year, the radio industry has faced huge challenges and I am very confident that Caroline’s unifying leadership approach and exceptional creativity will bring renewed energy to the pursuits of our 23 radio stations.”
Special advisor and former Cogeco Media President Richard Lachance had assumed the President’s position on an interim basis. He’ll continue as a special advisor to Cogeco, with Jetté lauding his efforts to help the company navigate ongoing pandemic operating challenges over the last few months.
“From the moment he joined Cogeco in 1999, and more recently when he reassumed the position of interim President, he has demonstrated his constant commitment and drive. By sharing his in-depth knowledge and love of radio, he enabled Cogeco Media to reach new heights and to be in a better position to weather the difficulties of the recent months,” said Jetté.
Cogeco Media owns and operates 22 radio stations across Québec and one station in Ontario, including talk network stations 98.5 (CHMP-FM) Montréal, 106.9 (CKOB-FM) Mauricie, 107.7 (CKOY-FM) Estrie and 104.7 (CKOF-FM) Outaouais; FM 93 (CJMF-FM) Québec City and 95,7 KYK (CKYK-FM) Saguenay; the Rhythm FM network of stations in Montréal, Québec City, Mauricie and Estrie; the stations of the Planète network in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, and the Capitale Rock and WOW network in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Cogeco Media also owns CIME stations in the Laurentians, Lachute and Hawkesbury (Ontario), CKOI, The Beat (CKBE-FM) and Radio Circulation (CKAC-AM) Montréal.
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