Gary Davies has been appointed president of Burnaby, BC-based Canada Wide Media, and will take over the top job July 3.
For the last 16 years, Davies has been executive vice-president at RedPoint Media Group, the Calgary based independent publishing company that produces Up magazine for Westjet in addition to Avenue, Wine Access and several other custom publications.
“Canada Wide is just over double the size of Redpoint, but otherwise very similar in scope and in its focus on custom publications and consumer magazines,” said Davies. “It’s a great company with a good history and I think they have a lot of opportunities in the future.”
Canada Wide is a privately held company with revenues of more than $25 million. The company’s publications include BC Business, Westworld, BC Home & Garden, and BCLiving’s digital site.
Peter Legge, chair and chief executive officer at Canada Wide, said the company has been searching for a president since October.
“We decided on Gary because what he has done [at RedPoint Media] virtually replicates what we do, although we do it on a bigger basis,” said Legge, adding that Davies is involved in starting and developing magazines, developing a website presence and building the custom publishing area.
Legge said it will be Davies’ role to build and develop Canada Wide into a leading multimedia publishing organization.
“I see us buying some magazine companies, I see us adding to our stable with contract publishing and we’ve invested very heavily in our web division,” said Legge.
Asked if he sees growth outside of British Columbia, Legge said it’s possible, but unlikely in the short term. “Our head office is here, I think we do a pretty good job with all our clients here and in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba,” he said. “Gary may have a different opinion in a few years, but for today I’d say there is lots of business in B.C. for us.”
