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In May, Tony Viner announced he would be retiring as president and CEO of Rogers Media in September, ending a 29-year career with the company. When Viner joined Rogers in 1982, the company had only a handful of radio stations. Under his watch, it has grown to a Canadian media powerhouse with Rogers Publishing, Citytv, OMNI Television, 46 radio stations, Rogers Sportsnet, The Shopping Channel and The Toronto Blue Jays. Marketing's JEFF BEER spoke to Viner during his last week on the job about Rogers' growth, what owning a sports franchise adds to a media company and his plans for retirement.
Why retire in 2010? Why not two years ago or two years from now?
People have said to me, 'You're in good health, you're full of energy, it's been a good year, why are you retiring?" My answer is, "I'm in good health, full of energy and it's been a good year." I don't know if I can pinpoint any one thing, just an accumulation of things. Nadir [Mohamed, Rogers Communications CEO] is doing a terrific job, the company's in great hands and the future has never been brighter. I'm proud of how I'm leaving Rogers Media.
Convergence is back in style thanks to recent moves by Bell and Shaw. Was it always part of the plan for Rogers to have its hand in a wide spectrum of media?
Yes, it was always part of the plan! [laughs] Whether or not Ted Rogers, at that time in 1982, had this idea of convergence, I don't really know. To him, cable brought choice. It was choice that attracted him to it, and wireless brought freedom and mobility. I think people really don't...