TORONTO – Rogers Communications is merging its cable and wireless operations under a new business and corporate development group, the company announced late Wednesday.
The changes are in an effort to help Rogers "enhance the customer experience, improve time to market, further drive innovation and deliver sector leading growth" through cutting costs and improving the company’s effectiveness, the company’s press release reads.
"Our industry is in transition with products and networks converging, product cycles maturing and customer expectations increasing”, said president and CEO Nadir Mohamed, in the release. “To remain the industry leader, we need to work and operate differently. These changes position us to continue to compete and win and reflect an important, continued evolution of our business."
As part of the re-org, Edward Rogers has relinquished his role as head of the company’s cable unit to see his responsibilities expand under the new title of deputy chairman. His duties will now include "major strategic initiatives" like mergers and acquisitions as he also adds EVP of the new Emerging Business and Corporate Development group to his portfolio.
"Today’s appointment allows Edward to play a greater role with the board in major strategic decisions and matters of board oversight," said company chairman Alan Horn, in the release. "We’re very pleased Edward has taken on this expanded role at the board and look forward to his increased contribution."
Rob Bruce, head of Rogers Wireless, will head up the new communications group as its president. The network organization team will be led by Bob Berner, who assumes the role of EVP network and Chief Technology Officer.
Mohamed said on a conference call that the changes at the company are as a result of “what we see are fundamental changes in the market.”
“As product cycles mature and converge, and we get more competition, we are going to see the rate growth on the top line moderate and we’ve got to internally do a better job to position ourselves for that change.”
When asked about the role of the Media division, which includes Rogers’ radio, TV, publishing and sports properties, Mohamed said only that it has “separate challenges”, and was not part of this restructuring. He added that the marketing and communication groups would most likely be brought together at some point.
No word at this point on specific staff restructuring or layoffs. Mohamed deftly side stepped that question in the call.
