TORONTO – CRTC vice-chairman, broadcasting, Michel Arpin, will be the keynote speaker at the Ontario Association of Broadcasters (OAB) Awards luncheon in Toronto.
At the event, the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to former CHUM Limited, vice-chair and CEO – and broadcasting pioneer Fred Sherratt.
“We are thrilled that Mr. Arpin has agreed to be our keynote speaker. Prior to becoming vice-chair of the CRTC Mr. Arpin has had a distinguished career in broadcasting and so has valuable firsthand knowledge of the significant issues and challenges facing our radio and television members. We very much look forward to his comments and insight,” said OAB president, Nancy Brown Dacko, in a release.
Prior to the CRTC, Arpin was senior regulatory and governmental affairs advisor for Astral Broadcasting Group. He has worked in broadcasting since 1963 and has held various positions with the CRTC from 1971 to 1979.
Regarding the Lifetime Achievement Award, Brown Dacko commented: “CHUM has been a consistent supporter of the OAB since its inception as the Central Broadcasters Association. With his many profound contributions to CHUM and the industry overall, we are very proud that Fred Sherratt is our first Lifetime Achievement Award Winner.”
Until his retirement in 2002 as vice-chairman and CEO, Sherratt was synonymous with CHUM. He joined the Waters-family company in 1960 and during his career has made significant contributions to the broadcasting industry. He was chairman of the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement (BBM) and participated on various boards, including the executive committee of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. In 1984, he was awarded the CAB Distinguished Service Gold Ribbon, in 1993 the Ted Rogers Sr./Velma Rogers Award for ‘pioneering spirit and contribution to broadcasting’; and in 1995, he was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.
In addition to presenting our first Lifetime Achievement Award, the OAB Luncheon will showcase Ontario radio and television stations that have made significant contributions to their respective communities during 2007/2008. Ontario television and radio stations provide millions of dollars in airtime supporting worthwhile causes of charitable organizations throughout Ontario.
The luncheon will be held on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at the Boulevard Club, 1491 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto. For further information and tickets, please contact Val Skivington at 905-554-2730 or memberservices@oab.ca.
