Source : Globe & Mail

Former CHUM Ltd. radio executive Paul Ski has been recruited by rival broadcaster Rogers Communications Inc. to run its network of 51 AM and FM radio stations across the country.

Mr. Ski was named chief executive officer of Rogers' radio operations yesterday, taking over from retiring CEO Gary Miles. He was previously the head of CTVglobemedia Inc.'s radio division following the completion of its $1.4-billion acquisition of CHUM this year.

A veteran of Canadian broadcasting, Mr. Ski was named president of CHUM's radio operations in November, 2006, while the company was in the midst of being acquired by CTVglobe.

He stayed on as head of the CHUM operation after the deal closed and CTVglobe began integrating those assets into its own operations.

His departure is part of a broader management shuffle at CTVglobe and CHUM that has seen several former CHUM executives depart as the new owner puts its own management teams in place to operate the combined business. CTVglobemedia is the parent company of CTV and The Globe and Mail.

The appointment will see Mr. Ski go from running Canada's fourth-largest commercial radio network at CHUM, which operates 35 stations, to heading up the third-largest at Rogers, which has 51 stations.

Astral Media Inc. is the biggest with 82 stations, while Corus Entertainment Inc. owns 52.

Mr. Ski worked at CHUM for 30 years at various radio operations, including its stations in Halifax, Ottawa and Vancouver, and was previously the company's vice-president of radio operations before being named president. Mr. Miles is retiring after 20 years with Rogers.

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