TORONTO – Music industry veteran executive and Bell Media brass Randy Lennox has been named as the recipient of the 2017 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).
Named after famed Canadian publisher and trailblazer Walt Grealis, the award recognizes industry leaders who have vastly contributed to the growth and development of the Canadian music industry.
Lennox began his music career at Universal Music Canada, working in various positions until becoming president in 1998 when the company merged with Polygram Canada, and then became CEO in 2001. In 2015, he took on the role of president of broadcasting and content for Bell Media, where he leads CTV and English-language specialty channels plus oversees all of the company’s independent and in-house productions in English Canada. Lennox is also responsible for the recent launch of Bell Media’s live theatre division, and extends his music industry commitment via his introduction of the iHeartRadio brand, including live music events.
Lennox is also a key contributor to the production of The Juno Awards and the iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards, and acts as an executive producer for Canada’s Walk of Fame. He is also on the board of directors of CARAS and Canada’s Walk of Fame, and sits on the board of governors for Massey Hall, Roy Thomson Hall and the culture advisory board for Ontario.
In 2010, after being awarded the Music Industry Executive of the Year seven times, he was inducted into the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame. In 2014, Lennox was announced as International Label Executive of the Year by the Worldwide Radio Summit.
“I am humbled by this tremendous honour,” said Lennox, in Monday’s news release. “Thank you to CARAS and all of the talented people I’ve worked with over the years, including the incredible artists that help define our culture and make our country proud. I look forward to continuing to help our stars shine brighter than ever, here and around the world.”
Lennox will be honoured at the 2017 Juno Gala Dinner & Awards on April 1 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa as part of the Juno Week festivities.
The 46th annual Juno Week will take place March 27 – April 2, 2017. A live broadcast of the Juno Awards from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa will air on CTV and CTV Go on April 2 .
