Cogeco Starts Search Process For New Radio Group Leader

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TORONTO — The President of Cogeco Media, a takeover target of Rogers Sports & Media, has exited the Montréal-based owner of 23 radio stations across the Canadian province of Québec.



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Michel Lorrain exited on Monday “to pursue personal interests.”

A recruitment process for his successor has been launched.

Richard Lachance, Special Advisor to Cogeco Inc. and former President of Cogeco Media, will assume the position of interim President.

“On behalf of my colleagues and the entire Cogeco team, I wish to thank Michel for his 13 years of dedication to the company, his numerous contributions and his leadership,” Philippe Jetté, Cogeco’s President/CEO, said. “I wish him every success in his future endeavors.”

The departure of Lorrain comes one month after an unsolicited $8.4 billion CDN merger offer to merge with Rogers Communications expired.

The non-requested, non-binding proposal involved Altice USA, the parent of digital-first news network Cheddar and MVPDs Suddenlink and Optimum, and first surfaced in early September. For Rogers, it would have given its Rogers Sports & Media an important entry into Montréal.

The Cogeco properties include four major Montréal FMs: English-language Hot AC “The Beat,” one of the highest-rated radio stations on the continent; heritage French-language Top 40 CKOI-FM, French AC “Rythme 105.7,” and major French News/Talk CHMP-FM 98.5. Cogeco also owns two FMs in Quebec City, and six smaller cities.


Reporting by Carina Newton in Toronto and Adam R Jacobson in Boca Raton, Fla.