REVOLVING DOOR:
Following Randy Lennox’s promotion to president of Bell Media, the company has redistributed the responsibilities of several executives. Among those with new titles is Mike Cosentino, former SVP of CTV and Specialty. Cosentino is now SVP of content and programming, expanding his role to include development of English-language programming for Bell Media’s conventional, specialty and OTT services. Corrie Coe, former SVP of independent programming, is now SVP original programming, reporting to Cosentino. Nikki Moffat, SVP of finance, adds the title of president, local TV and radio, assuming responsibility for Bell Media’s radio and television stations. Stewart Johnston, who was previously president of TSN, becomes president, Bell Media Studios and TSN.
Toronto Star parent company Torstar Corp. announced Friday that John Boynton will take over as president and chief executive officer. Boynton succeeds David Holland, who has retired after more than 30 years with the company. Boynton, 53, has a background in marketing and data analytics and has been chief marketing officer of the Americas Coalitions business at Montreal-based Aimia Inc., since 2014 which operates Aeroplan and other loyalty programs. Before that, he spent 12 years at Rogers Communications Inc., most recently as chief marketing officer. He also been an executive at Sprint Canada, AT&T Canada, Scott’s Hospitality and Pepsico.
Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS) has announced that president and CEO Jay Forbes will be leaving the company following the anticipated closing of its pending transaction with BCE Inc. on March 17. Forbes joined MTS in Jan. 2015 and led a significant two-year transformation effort, culminating with the recent sale of the company to BCE for $3.9 billion. He also oversaw the sale of Allstream Inc. to Zayo Group Canada Inc. Forbes’ successor has not been named with the position expected to fall under Bell Mobility’s management.
Marcello Bellisario has been promoted to SVP of Talent & Casting for Lionsgate under a new long-term agreement that extends his responsibilities to include all scripted casting for Lionsgate as well as collaboration with Starz on their original programming. Bellisario holds the distinction of being the first head of Casting & Talent Relations in Lionsgate Television history, a department he created upon joining the company in 2014. Bellisario’s relationship with Lionsgate began as the studio and network executive in charge of overseeing the casting of the pilot for Nashville. Prior to that, he spent four and half years working at ABC and ABC Studios, overseeing the casting of Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, Grey’s Anatomy and Revenge.
Paul Haysom will join the Global BC Morning News team later this month as news anchor. Haysom has been at Global News Calgary for the past few years where he’s anchored Global News at 11. He previously held a number of roles at Global News BC, including reporter and anchor at Global News’ 24-hour news channel BC 1. In addition to his role as morning news anchor, Haysom will anchor Global News BC 1’s 9 a.m. – noon newscast.
Edmonton’s iLink Media Group has announced the addition of Bryan Woodruff as national director, Sales and Business Development. For the past two decades, Woodruff has held senior management positions in broadcast services for Canada NewsWire CCN Matthews, and MarketWire (now MarketWired). Founded in 2012, iLink Media Group provides mobile broadcast & webcast services.
Peggy @ 99-1 (CJGV-FM) Winnipeg, which has been flying without on-air talent since its format flip on Christmas Day, has announced that beginning March 20, Samantha Stevens and Travis Stewart will join the line-up with their new show Feel Good Mornings with Sam and Travis. Stevens has worked in radio for the past two decades, hosting in Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa and Winnipeg where she spent the last five years at QX Country (CFQX-FM). She’s hosting alongside newcomer Stewart, who joins Peggy @ 99-1 from Yorkton, SK’s FOX FM (CFGW-FM) where he was midday announcer and music director.
Lee Rodgers has assumed production duties at Evanov Halifax. As Broadcast Dialogue reported last month, Mark Doiron has left to pursue an opportunity with the federal government. Rodgers was previously heading production at MBS Radio in Halifax.
Chantal Desjardins has been selected to join the PVN (PokerVision Network) Broadcast Team. Desjardins is a television and radio personality, actor and comedian whose credits include City TV Winnipeg, CTV Montreal, CHOM 97.7 Montreal, Virgin Radio 96 (CJFM-FM) and CJAD 800 (CJAD-AM). Most recently, Chantal hosted Rogers SportsNet’s Montreal Canadiens regional broadcasts. PVN moves toward its full broadcast launch in April on The Action Network in the U.S. and later this year with the major broadcast carriers in Canada.
Kelly Greig is joining CTV Montreal. She’s been Global Montreal’s morning show reporter since 2015. Greig has also done stints with ABC News, Rogers Sportsnet and CBC.
Jesse Modzelewski, known to listeners as Jesse Modz for the past three years on St. Catharines-based radio station HTZ-FM (CHTZ-FM), has left his afternoon drive slot to join the morning show at CJAY 92 (CJAY-FM) Calgary. Modz previously worked at Big 96.3 (CFMK-FM) Kingston, ON, 94X (CIRX-FM) Prince George, BC and Big Dog 103.5 (CILB-FM) Lac La Biche, AB before joining HTZ-FM in 2014.
CBC News has announced a new organizational structure. Brodie Fenlon will take on leadership of Daily News, which will encompass the News Now programs, digital and social, radio hourly newscasts and The World This Hour. Jonathan Whitten takes on management of Depth and Context (including The National, World Report, The World At Six, The World This Weekend, the parliamentary bureau and CBC News Network programs) and has officially been appointed Editor In Chief Jennifer McGuire’s deputy. Steve Ladurantaye is the new managing editor of The National. Postings will be going up for head of Investigative and the new role of Audience and Content Experience. Along with the changes, Andrew Cochran, who has been head of Strategy since 2014, and Chief of Staff Gino Apponi are both transitioning out of the CBC. Cochran will continue to consult for the public broadcaster.
KICX-FM Country Sudbury, ON has juggled its lineup. Trinette and Coop are now hosting the morning show. Trinette Atkinson has been on-air and PD since the station’s launch in 2008, while Bryan Cooper has been working at KICX Country for the past year in news and afternoon drive. Former Q92 (CJRQ-FM) host Lyndsay Moggy will take over mid-days, while Scott Edwards becomes the permanent host of the afternoon drive show after holding down the role of promotions director for the past four years.
