TORONTO — In a major move that impacts one of Canada’s biggest media companies, Colette Watson — a thirty-year company veteran — is stepping down as SVP of Television and Broadcast Operations at what is today called Rogers Sports & Media.
Her last day at Rogers is set for Monday, June 15. From then, Julie Adam (pictured) will take on an expanded role.
“Colette has been an invaluable member of the Rogers team and a driving force behind industry change,” said Jordan Banks, President of Rogers Sports & Media. “Over her 30-year career, whether it was in cable, regulatory, or media, she consistently delivered under pressure, championed what’s right, and put the company first. Faced with industry challenges, she never wavered in her commitment. She thinks big and always finds a way to win.”
Watson added, “I have seen tremendous change in the telecommunications and media industries these past three decades, and I’m so proud to have been part of the leading transformations by Rogers. There’s a great team in place, and the friendships I have made here feel more like family.”
Watson will continue in her role as President of the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC).
For Adam, the new title of SVP of TV and Radio will be made official on June 16.
“Julie has an unrelenting drive to be at the forefront of change,” said Banks. “. She is compassionate yet fierce, has fostered a terrific culture across her team, and leads with an inspiring and collaborative mindset ensuring all ideas and team members are valued. Our TV and Radio teams already work very closely together, and I have no doubt both teams will continue to thrive with Julie at the helm.”
Adam currently oversees Rogers Sports & Media’s 56 radio stations and 2 podcast networks, including Adult Contemporary CHFI-FM, all-News CFTR-AM, Sports CJCL-AM “590 The Fan,” and Top 40 CKIS-FM “Kiss FM” in Toronto; an AM/FM combo in Halifax; a four-station cluster in Vancouver largely mirroring that of Toronto, with “Jack FM” instead of an AC; a four-station cluster in Calgary; a three-station group in Edmonton; and two FMs in Winnipeg, in addition to small markets in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
She’ll now add on accountability for Toronto’s Citytv; as well as OMNI Television; the Canadian operations of cable channels FX, FXX and OLN; and 30 local Rogers TV stations.
Adam has been with Rogers Sports & Media since 1999.
— Reporting by Carina Newton; editing by Adam R Jacobson in Boca Raton, Fla.
