Segal to CBP board: the merger train is leaving, time to get aboard

In an article published today on Mastheadonline about his company's wish to have its trade titles served by Magazines Canada, Rogers Media CEO was blunt about his views of the trade association Canadian Business Press (CBP).

“I don’t think the CBP has anything effective to offer its members,” Segal said. “We don’t know what it does. What programs does it have? What events does it have? Besides the Kenneth R. Wilson awards, which is nice....

“[The board members] would have to have an interest in [a merger] it and some sort of structure would have to be created to meet everyone’s objectives.”

“But if you aren’t interested, there’s no point trying to figure out how to get you interested. Either make up your mind and try to figure out how to do it, like we did when we integrated the old Magazines Canada into the new Magazines Canada. But, you know, some people have their view of the future, and some people have their view of the past.”

Rogers left CBP late last year and has been in negotiations with Magazines Canada to have its members accepted. The Masthead interviews (including clashing views from proponents and opponents) follows on a story first published here about the Magazines Canada board recommending to the association's June AGM that the restriction of trade publisher memberships be dropped.