Matthew Holmes, Magazines Canada’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will be leaving the organization at the end of August, having served in the role since January 2016. After nearly 15 years in non-profit management and association leadership, Holmes will return to his earlier work in post-secondary education, leading government and institutional relations for Queen’s University.

With Holmes’ hiring in 2016, the Board of Directors initiated a period of change management and renewal at Magazines Canada. During this time, under Holmes’ leadership, the organization was able to accomplish a number of initiatives important to the membership and the long-term sustainability of the organization, including:

• The launch of the Canadian Magazine Awards / Magazine Grands Prix in 2016, and the introduction of Magazine Grands Prix categories under a united National Magazine Awards in 2018;
• The consolidation of the Canadian Business Media Association (formerly the Canadian Business Press) and the Circulation Management Association of Canada (CMC) under the Magazines Canada banner;
• Consultations and the launch of a new five-year Strategic Plan, with a renewed focus on professional development and public advocacy, while significantly expanding membership eligibility within Magazines Canada to digital-only platforms and custom publications;
• The restructuring of Magazines Canada’s organizational structure and member committees to align with the new Strategic Plan, member priorities, and available resources;
• A renewed focus on government relations, with multiple appearances before Parliamentary Committees, the introduction of annual Hill receptions and events in Ottawa, and leading efforts to modernize the Canada Periodical Fund at Canadian Heritage;
• The launch of new research, including: a national industry benchmarking study, data on consumer attitudes and behaviour at newsstand, and new information on the purchase path of executives who subscribe to business and trade publications;
• The growth of core operational funding, and new multi-year commitments from key granting partners, including Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Media Development Corporation and the Ontario Arts Council, among others; and,
• The strengthening of the association’s financial position and long-term sustainability through reduced expenditures, streamlined programs, new sources of revenue, and growth in the organization’s net financial reserves.

Backed by a solid team, Holmes sharpened the association’s focus on professional development, member services and public advocacy for Canadian-owned, Canadian-content magazines.

Magazines Canada will be transitioning to new leadership under an Executive Director. The process is underway and is being led by Scott Jamieson, Chair of Magazines Canada’s Board of Directors, with a hiring committee in place and a search firm engaged. The hiring committee plans to have a new Executive Director in place by fall 2018.

For more information:

Brianne DiAngelo
Manager, Communications
Magazines Canada
bdiangelo@magazinescanada.ca