TORONTO – Brian Cooper, president and COO of Insight Sports, has resigned. This announcement comes a week after the company announced it hired Ron Bremner as CEO.
In an e-mail to friends and employees, Cooper said he has resigned to pursue other interests.
Six-year-old Insight (which is majority owned by investor and entrepreneur Larry Tanenbaum) owns a piece of the NHL Network and will soon launch soccer channel GolTV, Casino and Gaming Television (CGTV) as well as the World Fishing Network. It’s also behind the new pay television applicant Spotlight TV and owns a piece of Score Media.
“We’re elated to have someone of Ron’s stature on board — given his varied and experienced background in broadcasting, sports and management. We’re excited about where Insight Sports is headed under Ron’s leadership,” said John Brunton, chairman, Insight Sports.
“It’s great to join Insight Sports at this point in their evolution,” Bremner said in a release. “We have a tremendous opportunity to build a true powerhouse in a variety of areas and I look forward to working with their superb team.”
Bremner is president of the Gold Medal Consulting Group Ltd. of King City, Ont., specializing in management consultant, leadership training and keynote speaking. He most recently served as chairman/CEO of Professional Sports Publications in New York, NY.
From 1996 to 2001, Bremner was president, CEO and Alternate Governor of the NHL’s Calgary Flames and the Pengrowth Saddledome.
Prior to joining the Flames, Bremner worked for WIC Broadcasting for 22 years, 16 years at CKNW/CFMI-FM (Vancouver) where he rose through the ranks to President/GM and then from 1990-1996 as President/CEO of BCTV (Vancouver).
Bremner was named British Columbia Broadcaster of the Year in 1996 and in November, 2000 he was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He served two successive terms as Chair of the Television Board of Canada and among others he has also served on the Board of Telefilm Canada; Royop Properties (Calgary) and Shawnigan Lake School (B.C.). Currently Bremner sits as a member of the Special Advisory Board of Area Television (New York, NY). In 1996 he received Variety Club’s highest award, the Golden Heart Community Achievement Award.
His appointment is effective immediately.
