MARKHAM, ON – Retired Rogers radio executive John Hinnen will receive the 2014 Hall of Fame Award from the Ontario Association of Broadcasters at the organization’s fall conference in October.
The OAB Hall of Fame Award honours private broadcasters who have devoted a substantial part of their career to the Canadian broadcasting industry and demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of broadcast excellence and community service in their role.
Hinnen and his family emigrated from the Netherlands in 1960, arriving in Canada at Pier 21 in Halifax. As he learned English, Hinnen developed a love for the power of the language that led him to excel at school and in the world of radio.
Hinnen’s broadcasting career began at Humber College, where he was among the first in a newly created broadcasting course in 1972. His first radio job was at CKLB (now CKDO) in Oshawa, and in 1974 he moved to Rogers as a sportscaster for CFTR. In 1993, Hinnen lead the team that transformed CFTR from a music station to Canada's first all-news radio station, 680News. Hinnen recently retired after four decades with Rogers, including more than 20 years at the helm of 680News as vice-president of news for Rogers Media Television and Radio.
Hinnen spent many years on the OAB Board, contributing to initiatives such as the Amber Alert program and the OAB Career Day that connects students with broadcast professionals. He also served as president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association and was presented with the RTNDA President's Award in 2011, which is the highest honour bestowed by that organization. The presentation was made at the RTNDA conference at the Westin Hotel in Halifax, which is next to Pier 21, the very pier where Hinnen and his family had arrived in Canada more than fifty years before.
Hinnen will be presented with the 2014 Hall of Fame Award at the Ontario Association of Broadcasters' Connection 2014 Gala Awards Dinner on October 30 at the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel in Toronto.
For details and ticket information, visit www.oab.ca
