Préfontaine to head up Can Geo

André Préfontaine, until recently President of Transcontinental Media, has been named President of Canadian Geographic Enterprises (CGE) and Publisher of Canadian Geographic magazine as of July 15. Since last February, Préfontaine has advised and assisted the Society in a process that led to the buyout of Key Publishers’ 50% interest in CGE, a transaction that is scheduled to close at the same time as his assumption of the President and Publisher's chair.

Starting in 1994, the Canadian Geographic Society has been a partnership between the society and Key Publishers. “During our twelve-year partnership, the Society greatly benefited from the contribution made by Key Publishers and from the entrepreneurial spirit of Michael de Pencier, Key’s Chairman,” said Gisèle Jacob, president of RCGS. “We are immensely grateful to Key Publishers and to Michael,” added Jacob.

Préfontaine will take over from John Thomson, who has been CEO and Publisher at Can Geo ince 1999. “I want to thank John for the role he played in making Canadian Geographic one of the best read magazines in Canada and for pursuing his vision of an online Canadian Atlas,” said Jacob. Thomson is leaving to join the Key Publishers group of companies where he will pursue the development of geographical discovery centres and related technologies and act as Vice Chair of the Green Living group.Canadian Geographic magazine has a readership of over 4 million, it ranks the fourth best-read magazine in Canada.