Montreal: cfcf-tv president Rene Desmarais has left the Montreal ctv affiliate and joined ad agency Publicis-bcp as exec vp and gm.

Desmarais’ departure follows yet another round of layoffs and program cutbacks at the WIC Television-owned station. If the crtc approves the CanWest Global-Shaw Communications deal to split the assets of WIC Western International Communications, cfcf will be part of the national CanWest station group. But because Global can fetch a good price for top-rated cfcf, and currently operates ckmi-tv Quebec, many are assuming ctv will end up as cfcf’s ultimate owner. At any rate, recent reports make it clear there is no end of buyers interested in the former wic tv properties.