Patrick Grierson, the late founder of Canadian Broadcast Sales (CBS), has been recognized as the recipient of the 1st annual Allan Slaight Radio Salesperson of the Year Award.
Grierson, who passed away in May 2022 at the age of 77, was recognized at this year’s Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon during Radiodays North America last week. The 40-year radio advertising pioneer, who started his career with Standard Broadcasting in the 1970s, retired in 2017 as leader of the largest national radio sales organization in Canada.
Leon Hildebrandt, who served as Executive Vice President of CBS under Grierson, paid tribute to his former colleague of more than 35 years.
“Patrick was unique, one of a kind, not just a constant salesperson and a leader many wanted to follow, but also a mentor, who led by example and always with a light touch, sometimes a joke or inappropriate comment,” said Hildebrandt. “Countless times I witnessed Patrick make personal connections with a stranger in a five-floor elevator ride.”
“Anyone who knew Pat saw all of that on the surface, intentionally there for all to see…charm, wit, playfulness, and of course, smarts, but not many knew what lay underneath. Less obvious, Pat was very competitive and driven – driven to succeed, driven to create the best national media sales organization in Canada, Canadian Broadcast Sales, something few would or could argue he accomplished, and CBS remains so built on his foundation,” said Hildebrandt.
Grierson’s family accepted the award on his behalf with his spouse Jeanne thanking his “radio family” for their support during her husband’s illness.
“If only every industry had a Gary Slaight, Gord Rawlinson, Elmer Hildebrand, and others like Ian Lurie, who would come and visit Patrick. And when they reached out, they made him feel like he was still part of the industry,” Jeanne told the audience. “He loved every minute of his work and we as his family are very grateful to you for all you did for him.”
Veteran Toronto music director Wayne Webster, who has been with Stingray’s boom 97.3 (CHBM-FM) Toronto for the last 13 years, is this year’s Allan Waters Hall of Fame recipient.
An alum of Q107 (CILQ-FM), CHUM-FM, and Mix 99.9 (CKFM-FM), among other stations, Webster joked that he had spent most of his life trying to stay out of the spotlight, as he accepted the award. Webster, who brought along his first transistor radio – which he received as a Christmas present at age 10 – expressed his enduring excitement for the medium and new music over the years.
As previously announced, Jenny West, afternoon drive co-host on Pattison Media’s The Zone @ 91.3 Victoria, was named this year’s Allan Waters Young Broadcaster of the Year, presented in memory of Steve Young.
Four-decade Toronto radio veteran Maie Pauts, currently host of middays on boom 97.3, was the recipient of the 2023 Rosalie Trombley Award, presented by Radio Trailblazers, which annually recognizes a woman who has blazed new trails in radio.
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