2006 INDUCTEE
CORUS ENTERTAINMENT
John M. Cassaday is President and Chief Executive Officer of Corus Entertainment Inc., a position he has held since its inception in September 1999.
Corus is one of Canada’s most successful integrated media and entertainment companies. The many companies and businesses that make up Corus Entertainment deliver compelling, engaging, interactive and informative content to millions of consumers every day. Its television services include: YTV, Treehouse TV, W Network, CMT, The Documentary Channel, SCREAM, Discovery Kids, Telelatino and TELETOON (40%); Western Canada’s exclusive pay-TV movie service on six thematic channels under the Movie Central brand; three local over-the-air television stations; Corus Custom Networks advertising services for television; and Max Trax, a residential subscription digital music service.
Corus also boasts the strongest collection of radio assets in the country. Nearly one-third of all Canadians tune to a Corus radio station each week for the best in talk, rock, country and contemporary radio formats.
Nelvana – one of the world’s leading creators, producers and distributors of animated programming and related consumer products, renowned for such globally recognized brands as Babar, Franklin and Beyblade – is the cornerstone of their content and production strategy.
John was previously the Executive Vice President of Shaw Communications, President and Chief Executive Officer of Shaw Media and President and CEO of Star Choice Communications. Immediately prior to his involvement with Shaw, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of CTV Television Network. He began his career in packaged-goods marketing, and served in senior executive capacities with Campbell Soup and General Foods, both in Canada and internationally.
John sits on the Board of Directors of Manulife Financial and Sysco Corporation. He is also the Chairman of the Board of St. Michael’s Hospital. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Masonite International Corporation and Loblaw Companies Limited, the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management and is the past Chair of the United Way Campaign for Metro Toronto.
John holds an M.B.A. (Dean’s List) from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and was honoured in 1998 as their most Distinguished Alumni. Most recently, he received the 2005 Gold Medal from the Association of Canadian Advertisers, which recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of marketing communications in Canada. John was also a recipient of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews 2004 Human Relations Award as well as the 2004 recipient of the Canadian Association of Broadcaster’s top honour, the Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence. He was awarded the 1995 Paul Mulvihill Heart Award and was the recipient of the 1994 CEO Award of Excellence in Public Relations presented by the Canadian Public Relations Society.
