TORONTO – Canadian Broadcast Sales founder and president Patrick Grierson will retire from the national radio sales organization on May 31, 2017. Details on his successor will be announced in the coming months.
Grierson has been at the helm of CBS for the past 23 years after founding the organization in 1993. Following his retirement, he will remain part of the CBS family in an advisory role until May 2018.
Jointly owned by Rogers Broadcasting and Corus Entertainment, CBS is Canada's largest radio representation company, representing 43 broadcasters and more than 400 radio stations (including repeaters) in 221 Canadian markets.
"A true pioneer, Patrick's innovative spirit and visionary prowess has had a lasting impact on the Canadian radio landscape," said Rogers Radio SVP Julie Adam, in the announcement. "I have had the pleasure of working with Patrick for more than a decade, and during that time he has become not only a mentor, but a trusted friend. I wish him all the very best."
"Patrick has been a powerful voice for radio with advertisers and deserves endless praise for his years of service to the industry," added Troy Reeb, SVP Global News, Corus Radio and station operations. "His work has not only strengthened CBS but broadcasting itself, by bringing together competing broadcasters and their clients. He leaves a lasting impact and his tenacity and legendary sense of humour will be missed."
After joining Standard Broadcasting in the 1970s, where he held a variety of positions, Grierson was appointed president of the Standard Broadcast Sales Radio division following the Slaight purchase of the company in 1985. Then, in 1987, he founded the creation of United Broadcast Sales (UBS), a merger of Western Broadcast Sales (WIC) and Standard Broadcast Sales, and subsequently operated as president and CEO of UBS until 1993. Later that year, Grierson brought together UBS and All Canada to create Canadian Broadcast Sales.
"We at CBS are so blessed to have fostered a wonderful corporate culture of dedication and innovation," said Grierson. "I truly feel like I haven't worked a day in 40 years."
