TORONTO – Former Universal Music president and CEO Randy Lennox has been named to the newly created position of president, entertainment production and broadcasting at Bell Media, effective immediately.
Lennox (pictured) will oversee all of Bell Media's English independent and in-house entertainment productions for conventional, specialty, pay television, and digital media, in a move that will bring the company's production teams together under one leader, reads Tuesday morning’s announcement. He will also oversee all English and French radio and local television broadcasting and their associated digital assets.
Reporting directly to Bell Media president Mary Ann Turcke, Lennox becomes a member of Bell Media's senior leadership team. His appointment comes less than a day after the company let go four, long-time senior executives, as Cartt.ca reported.
"Randy joins us at a pivotal time as the media industry experiences significant change," said Turcke, in the announcement. "He brings to Bell Media an unparalleled record of success, a deep understanding of the complexities of the entertainment industry, and a passion for creative multimedia content. We look forward to his expertise in creating new revenue opportunities in television, radio and digital, including building strategic alliances and special, tent-pole events for our key brands."
"Bell Media and Universal Music are the leading companies in their respective industries, so I am delighted to take on this new challenge," added Lennox. "I look forward to working with Mary Ann and the Bell Media team as we enhance our leadership position while growing new strategic opportunities for the business."
A veteran entertainment executive with more than 25 years of industry experience, Lennox has consistently grown market share and revenue through talent acquisition and strategic alliances, the announcement continues. As president and CEO of Universal Music, he was responsible for more than 50% of domestic and international recording artists, who in total have won 178 Juno Awards. Some of the Canadian talent he has signed or helped elevate to the international stage include Justin Bieber, Shania Twain, Drake, Hedley, Diana Krall, Nickelback, The Tenors, The Tragically Hip, as well as Canada's newest breakout star, The Weeknd, among others.
An integral part of the production of The Juno Awards and The MuchMusic Video Awards for many years, Lennox is also the executive producer for CTV's Vancouver 2010 anthem "I Believe" and is an executive producer with Insight Productions for Canada's Walk Of Fame. He has been honoured as a member of the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame and sits on the board of directors for Music Canada, The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), Canada's Walk of Fame, and the board of Toronto's Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.
