Postmedia Network Inc Announced New Executive Team

August 16, 2010


Postmedia Network Inc (the new name of Canwest) announced the company’s new executive team, members include:

Kirk Allen, Executive Vice President Advertising Sales
Mr. Allen will lead national advertising sales for all brands and platforms. The strategic direction for integrated print, online and mobile offerings for Postmedia Network’s national advertisers will fall under Mr. Allen’s purview.
Kirk was appointed as Senior Vice President, Advertising Sales of Canwest Limited Partnership in 2006 with the mandate to develop innovative strategies, deliver superior results to advertisers and increase market share. He previously served as Vice President, Advertising for the National Post. Prior to his appointment to the National Post in 2005, Mr. Allen held a variety of senior management positions at The Gazette (Montreal). His career spans over 22 years in advertising sales with Canwest LP, Hollinger International Inc., Southam Inc. and Quebecor Inc.

Kevin Bent, President Pacific Newspaper Group and Executive Vice President Western Canada
In addition to his existing role overseeing British Columbia Newspapers including The Vancouver Sun, The Province (Vancouver) and the Times Colonist (Victoria), Mr. Bent will expand his portfolio to include Postmedia Network’s Alberta properties: the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal and the community publishing group.
Mr. Bent was appointed as President and Publisher of Pacific Newspaper Group in September 2006 with oversight of The Vancouver Sun and The Province (Vancouver) and the Times Colonist (Victoria). Previously, he was Senior Vice President Sales, Canwest Media Sales from 2005 to 2007 where he was responsible for the division national sales strategy. Mr. Bent also held the position of Vice President, Advertising Sales for the Pacific Newspaper Group, and Vice President, Advertising Sales of the Ottawa Citizen. Prior to his employment in the newspaper industry, he spent 10 years with General Foods and Kraft General Foods in various sales and marketing management positions. Mr. Bent holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick.

Gordon Fisher, President National Post and Executive Vice President Eastern Canada
Gordon Fisher takes on the role of President of the National Post and will oversee Postmedia Network operations in: Ontario – the Ottawa Citizen and The Windsor Star, Saskatchewan – The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) and the Leader-Post (Regina), and Quebec – The Gazette (Montreal).
Since its startup in October 1997, Publisher is one of a number of senior roles Mr. Fisher has held with National Post. Mr. Fisher has an extensive media background. He has held a number of senior executive positions in many Canadian cities on both the editorial and business sides of the media industry. Prior to his appointment as publisher of the National Post, Mr. Fisher served as President, News and Information, Canwest Global Communications Corp., with responsibilities covering newspaper, television and digital information. Other responsibilities of note include roles as editor-in-chief, general manager and publisher of the Ottawa Citizen; publisher of the Kingston-Whig Standard and managing editor of the Vancouver Sun.

Malcolm Kirk, Executive Vice President Digital Media
Mr. Kirk assumes responsibility for the strategic direction of Postmedia Network’s digital and online properties with a digital first mandate to expand the reach and return of the company’s newspaper websites, information and classifieds websites. Oversight for Postmedia Network content, including its news wire and editorial service businesses will also fall under Mr. Kirk’s purview. In addition, Mr. Kirk will Chair a special committee undertaking Postmedia Network’s transformation plan.
Mr. Kirk was appointed as Senior Vice President and Group Publisher, Prairie Region of Canwest LP in 2007 with oversight of the Edmonton Journal, The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) and the Leader-Post (Regina) addition to his responsibilities as Publisher of the Calgary Herald, a position he held since August 2006. Mr. Kirk previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the Calgary Herald and has 21 years of experience in the newspaper industry. Mr. Kirk’s previous senior editorial management roles include Executive Editor at the San Francisco Examiner and Managing Editor of The Province in Vancouver. Mr. Kirk began his career with The Gazette in Montreal in 1989. Mr. Kirk was Chairman of the 2009 Grey Cup Festival in Calgary and is a member of the National Newspaper Awards’ Board of Governors. Mr. Kirk is a first-class honours graduate of the University of King’s College journalism program in Halifax.
Doug Lamb, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
Mr. Lamb becomes CFO and Executive Vice President of Postmedia Network. In addition to finance and business services, Mr. Lamb takes on oversight of Information Technology, Human Resources and Legal.
Mr. Lamb was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Canwest LP in 2007. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer of the Canadian operations of Canwest Mediaworks Inc., which he joined in September 2005. He is a veteran Canadian newspaper executive. Mr. Lamb also served as Vice President of Corporate Development of Metroland, the community publishing business of Torstar Corporation. Prior to his employment with Torstar Corporation, he held a variety of financial roles at Hollinger International Inc. and Southam Inc. Mr. Lamb holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Carleton University and a Masters of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

Each individuals will be reporting to Paul Godfrey, President and CEO of Postmedia Network Inc.


Join other professionals!

Get news, tips and other industry news delivered into your inbox.

#1 source for breaking news about Canada's communications and public relations industry


Related Stories:


Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 15 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses.
He also serves as an advisor to a number of businesses across the country. Find Dave on LinkedIn and Twitter.

>