Strategic Shake-up At Transcontinental

Placing an enhanced focus on customized and personalized marketing services and strategies—both online and print—Transcontinental is re-organizing two of its operating divisions and inserting new leadership. The $2.3 billion company announced a new marketing communications sector (replacing its marketing products and services sector) to focus on data management, one-to-one marketing, custom publishing and printing of marketing products. Guy Manuel, president of the former division is leaving the company at the end of the year, replaced on an interim basis by CEO Francois Olivier. Out is Rob Young, who has been leading Transcontinental’s U.S. direct mail operations since 2005. Replacing Young is Hans Nielsen, formerly senior vp of the commercial products group in Quebec and the Atlantic region.
"Our strategy will generate further growth-by strengthening our core businesses and building new sources of revenues," said Olivier, in a statement.
The reshuffling also affects the printing division, a $1.5 billion operation which now embraces all aspects of print including newspapers, books, magazines, U.S. direct mail and retail. The new president of this operation is Brian Reid, who’s been with Transcontinental since its acquisition of RBW Graphics in Owen Sound back in 1992. Most recently he was senior vp of the catalogue and magazine group.
The company’s $650 million Media Sector, which includes its newspaper and magazine publishing operations, remains untouched with Natalie Larivière as president.