Former A+E Networks executive Sean Cohan (pictured) has been tapped to succeed Wade Oosterman as president of Bell Media.

Mirko Bibic, president and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada, announced Tuesday (Oct. 3) that Cohan will take over leadership of Bell Media on Nov. 1, following Oosterman’s retirement. In addition to overseeing the work of Bell Media’s leadership team across its entertainment and news divisions, Cohan will also serve as an executive officer to BCE.

A veteran of the media industry, Cohan spent 15 years at A+E Networks, including four as president, international and digital media. He has most recently served as chief growth officer and president at data analytics company Nielsen, and is also a board member of the Banff World Media Festival.

Oosterman will remain as vice-chair of BCE and Bell Canada into early January 2024, according to Bibic, and will support Cohan through the transition. The outgoing president has been at the helm of Bell Media since January 2021, succeeding former president Randy Lennox. He first joined Bell in 2006 to lead Bell Mobility, and was named vice-chair in 2018.

“Over the years, Wade has done outstanding work to advance Bell’s strategic imperatives, as well as playing a key role in the transformation of Bell Media with a focus on content leadership and digital innovation,” said Bibic in a statement. “I look forward to working with Sean as he leads the Bell Media team in delivering the most compelling content across every platform.”