WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg congratulates Leonard Asper (Collegiate ’82), President & CEO of CanWest Global Communications Corporation, for being named Marketing Magazine’s Media Player of the Year for 2007.
Asper earned the award for his astute business acumen, his innovative ad programs and for taking a giant leap into specialty TV. These strategic changes generated growth for CanWest Global Communications Corp., creating an impressive comeback in the highly competitive field of communications that merited recognition and the Media Player of the Year Award.
“Leonard proves time and again that along with being a national media leader, he is a caring friend and philanthropist to The University of Winnipeg,” said UWinnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy. “Like many true leaders, Leonard maintains strong ties to his community roots by generously donating both his time and money. We thank him for his continued support and we whole-heartedly congratulate him on this latest honor.”
Asper’s contributions to date include a corporate gift of $3-million to establish the CanWest Centre for Theatre & Film and a personal contribution to The Collegiate for the creation of a new endowed bursary to help students in financial need. He also donates his time as a member of The University of Winnipeg Foundation’s Board of Directors.
As a lawyer, Asper joined CanWest in 1991 as Associate General Counsel for the Company’s Global Television station in Ontario. Since then, he has held various positions in corporate development and served as Chief Operating Officer. In 1999, Asper became President and CEO of the Company. Currently he serves as Chairman of the Board of CanWest MediaWorks (Canada) Inc. and various other CanWest Global subsidiaries. He is a director of the TEN Group Pty Limited (Australia), CanWest MediaWorks (NZ) Limited and numerous companies within the CanWest group of companies. He also belongs to the Business Council of Manitoba, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and is the founder of The Joshua Foundation, a private charitable trust.
– 30 –
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Shawn Coates, Director of Marketing & Communications, University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7127, C: 204.230.0202, E: s.coates@uwinnipeg.ca
