Former Whig Publisher Named Executive in Billion Dollar Media Group

Published on: 2010/07/19 - in News

Earlier this month, the new Canadian newspaper group – Postmedia Network Inc. – became Canada’s largest publisher of paid English language newspapers after closing a billion-dollar acquisition of Canwest newspapers.

The acquisition includes the National Post and 10 other major dailies, as well as more than 20 additional community papers.

Postmedia Network Inc. last week named its top executives, which included Gordon Fisher – a former publisher of the Kingston Whig Standard.

Fisher, who was with the Whig for two years in the mid-1990s, will become the president of the National Post and executive vice president Eastern Canada, overseeing operations in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Quebec.

Previously Fisher has been president of news and information for Canwest Global Communications Corp., editor-in-chief, general manager and publisher of the Ottawa Citizen, and managing editor of the Vancouver Sun.

When announcing their executive team, Postmedia President and CEO Paul Godfrey said the new company reflects both “where we have been and where we are going,” adding “”I didn’t have to look far to find the best in the business, and this group has a strong track record of working together.”

Also announced as new Postmedia Network executives were:

– Kevin Bent, who will oversee both British Columbia newspapers and the company’s Alberta properties.

– Kirk Allen was named executive vice president of advertising sales in charge of national advertising for all brands and platforms.

– Doug Lamb is the new chief financial officer and executive vice president. In addition to finance and business services, he will oversee the IT, human resources, and legal departments.

– Malcolm Kirk was appointed executive vice president of digital media, with responsibility for the strategic direction of Postmedia digital and online properties, and will also have oversight of Postmedia Network content that includes its news wire and editorial service businesses.

When the sale was first announced in May, the group said it intended to continue all existing newspaper operations and maintain employment to all existing full-time employees and substantially all part-time employees. It also stated that the new company would leave all employee pension and benefit plans unchanged.