Longstanding CanWest Global Communications executives Jack Tomik, president CanWest Media Sales; Loren Mawhinney, VP of Canadian production; and Doug Hoover, SVP programming and promotions, have been shown the door after a major executive shakeup at the Winnipeg-based media giant.

CWG announced its new plans, which include hiring several new execs from the U.S., Oct. 4.

The surprise overhaul includes the launch of a new Toronto-based multimedia division called CanWest MediaWorks, which will oversee all Canadian business units including television, newspapers, radio, Internet, music, book publishing and merchandising.

Rick Camilleri, formerly COO of CanWest operations, has been named president of CanWest MediaWorks.

‘The number-one priority of our broadcasting operations is to address challenges to the conventional television business model posed by the proliferation of new specialty television channels and certain regulatory advantages they currently enjoy,’ says Camilleri, in a release. ‘In that regard, we will continue to make significant investments in new programming to boost ratings and increase revenues at Global. We will generate more Canadian television production, including profitable news and information programming.’

Brands such as the Global Television Network will not be affected by the corporate name change.

Among the television-related hires, Kathleen Dore, most recently president of entertainment services for Rainbow Media Holdings in New York, has been appointed to the position of president television and radio for CanWest MediaWorks. Her television credentials include U.S. cable networks American Movie Classics, Independent Film Channel and Women’s Entertainment. Dore fills the top CanWest Global TV job vacated by Gerry Noble in 2003.

Joseph Mangione, formerly a senior VP at Turner Broadcasting, has been appointed to the position of president, sales and marketing, CanWest MediaWorks.

Toronto-based ACTRA denounced the CWG change for its U.S. focus.

‘Global has been masquerading as a Canadian company,’ says Stephen Waddell, ACTRA’s national executive director, in a release. ‘Now it has to ‘come out’ as what it really is. Who knows? Maybe these American execs will be better at slating quality Canadian dramatic programs. They can’t do any worse.’

Thomas Strike, formerly COO of CanWest corporate, was named president of CanWest MediaWorks International, which includes CanWest’s investments in Network TEN in Australia, CanWest MediaWorks (NZ) Limited in New Zealand and TV3 in Ireland.

‘The world has changed and the ingredients for success are different,’ says Camilleri. ‘We know that growth only comes when we focus on the customer. Today’s customers choose how, when, and where, they receive news, information, and entertainment. We are going to excel in giving them that choice with superior service.’

‘These appointments are the result of an extensive executive search in Canada and elsewhere to identify and recruit the best global talent to help us realize our vision to become a top-ranking international media company,’ says CWG president and CEO Leonard Asper. ‘The three essential ingredients for our successful growth strategy are securing the right people at all levels, generating or acquiring superior content, and using the best technology to deliver that content to consumers how and when they want it.’

There was no word at press time where the former CWG executives might land. A spokesperson for Global Television would merely say the trio had ‘left to pursue other opportunities.’

On Oct. 5, the day after the announcement, markets were unimpressed by the news, with CWG Global A-class shares closing down $0.07 on the TSX Exchange to $10.38.

-www.canwestglobal.com