In a memo to the staff at Rogers yesterday, Ken Whyte announced that Michael Fox is stepping down from his post at the end of the month after over 37 years of dedicated service. The list of Mike’s accomplishments below is staggering. Clearly, Mike’s career in publishing is extremely distinguished. I asked Mike for a quote for this blog, and he graciously offered up this:
“I’m proud to have been part of teams at Rogers, Coast to Coast and Magazines Canada that have boosted the presence, market share and quality of Canadian magazines on our newsstands. We still need to cope with too much flooding of American titles with poor efficiencies. There’s lots of challenges in the newsstand system but retailers are right to push for smarter, more targeted supply,” said Fox.
I have had the pleasure of working with Mike over the years, and can say on a personal note that he can always be counted on for strong, critical thinking and leadership, for his willingness to volunteer his expertise to help others, to be a friend and good listener, and to always ofter thoughtful and judicisous advice.
Mike will no doubt continue to be an influential presence on the Canadian magazine scene, as he focuses his energy and lazer-like thinking on GardenMaking magazine, which was launched in the Spring of 2010. Please take a moment to reach out to Mike and wish him well.
| Leadership Announcement |
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| A message from Ken Whyte |
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| I am writing today to share the news that Michael Fox, Senior Vice-President, Circulation, Rogers Publishing Limited, has decided that he will retire at the end of January. He’s had a tremendous career here at Rogers that has left a legacy not only on our own company, but on the Canadian magazine industry as a whole.Michael began working for our company—then known as Maclean Hunter—in 1974. He was hired to work in the newsroom of the weekly Financial Post. He progressed in the organization and it was while he was working as News Editor that he was asked in the early 1980s to lead the efforts to computerize the newsroom. This led to his involvement in systems which eventually led to his involvement in circulation.Since then he’s contributed to countless innovations: taking the Financial Post daily, creating a team in Montreal to execute consumer Marketing in the French market, refocusing Business Circulation to Audience Development in our business publishing group, forging initial partnerships with Air Miles and Aeroplan, championing the creation of what is now Rogers Magazine Service, and launching what is now known as Rogers Readers Advantage before it became part of the Consumer Marketing Group.Michael has been highly visible and influential in the industry in too many ways to list here. But highlights include serving as the Chair of various committees throughout the years at Magazines Canada. He’s an honorary lifetime member of the Canadian Direct Marketing Association and has been on the Magazine Directors Advisory Committee at the Audit Bureau of Circulations. The CMC Circulation Management Association named him Magazine Marketer of the Year in 2002 and Magazines Canada named him Volunteer of the Year in 2005.Perhaps Michael’s most important contribution to Rogers Publishing in recent years has been his active involvement in government relations and the relationship he has built directly with Canada Post. He has been extremely influential in championing our interests day-to-day and in crisis situations.
Although he will be available to us to ensure a smooth transition after this month, and although he’s agreed to continue working with us on some special projects, Michael’s ultimately hoping to spend his time riding the trails and roads of Niagara and visiting gardens here in Canada and around the world. He’ll be working with his wife Beckie on Garden Making, a magazine they launched two years ago.
Please join me in thanking Michael for his immeasurable contributions and wishing him and his family the very best. He will be missed.
Ken Whyte
President, Rogers Publishing |
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Over the next week or so, I will be posting my picks for Great Canadian Covers 2011. 
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