Changes to Corus leadership

Corus Entertainment is making changes to its leadership team, announced Tuesday by company president and CEO John Cassaday.

The changes will “more closely align Corus’ Television and Radio business units,” according to a company release.

“As our business evolves, we continue to adapt and refine our structure,” said Cassaday in a statement.  “These changes capitalize on our strengths and streamline decision-making across our television and radio businesses, as we prepare for the integration of our new assets, and grow the Corus brand in Canada and internationally.”

Current Corus Television EVP and president Doug Murphy will become Corus Entertainment EVP and COO, effective Sept. 1, overseeing radio and television and reporting to Cassaday.

There are also changes, effective Sept. 1, to the exec roles in Corus’ business units, which include Corus Radio, Corus Kids, Corus Women and Family, Corus Content Distribution and Pay TV, Corus Airtime Sales and Corus Media.

Colin Bohm, reporting to Murphy, will become VP, television, head of Corus Kids, overseeing all aspects of the Corus Kids business, which includes Corus’ kids specialty TV services, Nelvana Studio and Nelvana Enterprises.

Jocelyn Hamilton, current VP original programming – kids, comedy and drama, will become VP programming and original production for Corus Kids. Hamilton, reporting to Bohm, will be responsible for all kids programming, acquisitions and original production, including Nelvana and third-party content.

Also reporting to Murphy, John MacDonald will become VP, television, head of Corus Women and Family; Maria Hale will become VP, television, head of Corus Content Distribution and Pay TV; and Susan Schaefer will become VP, head of brands, TV and radio.

Bill Knight is appointed VP, television, head of business development and planning; Helen Lebeau is appointed VP, television, production and broadcast operations; Chris Pandoff is appointed president of radio; and as previously announced, former Astral Radio exec Mario Checchini is appointed head of Eastern Ontario and president, Corus Média, all reporting to Murphy.

Cassaday also announced changes to his executive leadership team Tuesday.

Scott Dyer becomes EVP, strategic planning and chief technology officer, overseeing the company’s strategic planning process and new media strategy. Dyer will also oversee Kids Can Press and Toon Boom.

Gary Maavara is appointed EVP and general counsel, corporate secretary, overseeing legal matters, regulatory affairs and government relations, while Kathleen McNair is appointed EVP, human resources, corporate communications and chief integration officer. McNair will continue to oversee HR and corporate communications, and will head up integration of the new services to be acquired from Bell Media, pending approval.

And Tom Peddie becomes EVP and CFO, where he will continue to oversee finance and accounting functions and take on responsibility for Corus’ facilities group.