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Bell Media has realigned leadership of the company’s content, distribution, and English-language programming teams. Randy Lennox becomes President, Broadcasting and Content; Tracey Pearce becomes President, Distribution and Pay; and Mike Cosentino becomes Senior Vice-President, CTV and Specialty. Former President, Content Sales, Marketing, and Digital Products, Domenic Vivolo, departs the company. Vivolo was instrumental in the repositioning and rebranding of several networks within Astral, which he joined in 2000, before joining Bell. The changes are effective Aug. 8.
Two more Bell Media Virgins to report on. KOOL-FM (CFCA-FM) in Kitchener relaunched as 105-3 Virgin Radio last Friday, after stunting with Christmas-in-July music. The rebranding took the former KOOL-FM from Hot AC to CHR. First song played was This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris, featuring Rihanna. New radio talent there has yet to be confirmed. Former KOOL-FM morning show host Angie Hill moved to mornings at sister station KFUN 99.5 FM (CKKW-FM). Current KFUN (CKKW-FM) morning host “Sarge” is moving to evenings and weekends. Andrew Gerrior was laid off from the station, but Bell Media said net headcount remained the same. More staff hires are expected in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Bell Media’s 101.3 The Bounce (CJCH-FM) Halifax became 101.3 Virgin Radio. The first song played was also This Is What You Came For. The CHR format and the air staff remain in place.
Bell Media’s Virgin Radio brand is now in place at its stations countrywide. The format began in Canada in August of 2008 when Astral Media’s CKFM Toronto became Virgin 999, keeping its AC format. Five months later, in January of 2009, three more Astral stations flipped to the Virgin brand; 95 Crave Vancouver; The Bear (CKQB-FM) Ottawa; and Mix 96 Montreal. In June, 2010, VIBE 98-5 (CIBK-FM ) Calgary became 98-5 Virgin Radio. In February of 2011, Virgin Radio Ottawa reverted to The Bear while EZ Rock Edmonton transitioned to 104-9 Virgin Radio. The sixth Virgin station was in London when 97.5 EZ Rock was transitioned. HOT 103 (CKMM-FM) Winnipeg became Virgin Radio in September, 2012. In March of 2014, Virgin Radio (CKZZ-FM) Vancouver transitioned back to its Z95.3 name following the CRTC requirement that Bell Media sell the station. Bell Media retained Canadian rights to Virgin Radio branding. Newcap became the new owner. One year later, in March, 2015, The Beat (CFBT-FM) Vancouver became 94.5 Virgin Radio.
Ian Robinson joined mornings at Hot Country 103.5 (CKHZ-FM ) Halifax on Aug 3. The voice of the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads vacates a swing position at Q104 Halifax where he had been for a decade. Ian joins Dana Thompson who has been hosting solo since former Hot morning host Chris Lawrence left the position in June to concentrate on his acting career.
Grant Barber has retired from Corus Kingston after 33 years. He sold advertising for television station CKWS-TV and radio stations Fresh 104.3 and Big 96.3, as Senior Account Executive.
A new morning show at 95.7 CRUZ fm (CKEA-FM) Edmonton. Lochlin Cross, Grant Johnson and James White host mornings with their ‘Locker Room.’ Former morning co-host Nicola Crosbie is no longer with the station. Johnson previously partnered with Ryder in mornings at sister station Hot 107 (CJNW-FM ), and White’s previous gig was with 100.3 FM The Bear (CFBR-FM) Edmonton.
Rita Cugini, the CRTC’s seven-year Ontario Regional Commissioner from 2005-2012, joined Media RESULTS as a senior partner and VP of Regulatory for Radio and TV. She has been active as a regulatory consultant since her CRTC term expired. Media RESULTS also appointed Gary Muth as VP, New Music and Entertainment. Lee Cornell now heads up Digital Content development Internationally and is based in San Diego.
David Humen, GSM at Harvard Broadcasting Edmonton, has resigned his post for personal reasons. His last day is Aug. 31 or until a successor has been found to ensure a smooth transition. Is this job for you?
News1130 (CKWX-AM) Vancouver afternoon news anchor Tanya Fletcher delivered her final newscast on the station July 29. She is expected to land at a new location imminently.
Monday was move-in day for a raft of new on-air personalities at Evanov’s Energy 106 (CHWE-FM) Winnipeg. Jeff Holland and Sarah Nick take over mornings. Holland is in from 106.1 The Goat in Lloydminster AB while Nick comes from 93.1 the One Leduc AB. Matt Barron arrives in afternoons from Mix 103.7 (CFVR-FM) Fort McMurray. Stacey Lazor debuts in evenings/weekends and Promotions Assistant, and was most recently with 93.1 Country (CHPO-FM) in Portage La Prairie. Steve Adams remains in middays and served as the welcome committee for the newcomers.
Joël Lamoureux, former PD/Morning host at Country 101.1 (CKBY-FM) in Ottawa, joins Golden West Radio in Airdrie, AB as Program Director/Morning Host for AIR 106.1 (CFIT-FM). Tracy Lamoureux, has resigned as Senior Sales Executive at the Rogers Radio Group in Ottawa after over nine years and joins the Golden West Radio and Discover Airdrie, the community portal also operated by Golden West. Exiting AIR 106.1, PD Kevin Wallace moves south to High River AB to assume programming duties for Golden West’s AM1140 (CHRB-AM), Sun Country 99.7 (CFXO-FM) and Eagle 100.9 (CKUV-FM).
The Beat 92.5 (CKBE-FM) in Montreal is playing musical chairs with the lineup, moving Cat Spencer from mornings to host of the afternoon show The Beat 5@7. Cousin Vinny will co-host the morning show with Nikki Balch who returns to Montreal after a stint in Vancouver at Z 95.3 (CKZZ-FM) as Music Director and Midday Host. The new show hit the air Aug.2.
Jenny Goodman joins Western Media Group as Account Director, Dynamic Outdoor on Aug 15. She has extensive media experience in radio, place-based media, and directory advertising. Jenny replaces Robyn Christison who is moving to London, England.
Nathan Carr and Jentry VanBaal host ‘Mornings with Nate & Jentry at Corus Entertainment’s Fresh Radio (CFLG-FM ) Cornwall. VanBaal has been with the station for two years, in the newsroom and with the community cruiser. Jimmy Kalaitzis moves from mornings to replace Carr in afternoons. Johnny Novak is also making a move to middays from weekends. Mr. D continues to hold down evenings at Fresh.
Last Friday at Noon, Corus station B101 (CIQB-FM) Barrie became 101.1 Big FM. The first song played was Big Time by Peter Gabriel. The new format is 60% classic hits and 40% classic rock from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, and aimed at 25-54s. Susan Meredith, the former morning show host at Rock 95 (CFJB-FM) Barrie, and Kris Bawden, ex of K-Rock (CIKR-FM) Kingston, host the BIG Breakfast with Kris and Sue. PD Deb James does afternoon drive and MD Chris Liedke does evenings.
Brent Preston’s tour of duty as station manager for Acadia Broadcasting’s Magic 99.9 (CJUK-FM) and Country 105 (CKTG-FM) Thunder Bay is winding down. He’ll relocate with the company back to Saint John once his replacement is found and onboarded. Is this job for you?
