Rogers combining B2B and consumer magazines; John Milne out

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30 June 2011, TORONTO

Rogers combining B2B and consumer magazines; John Milne out

Rogers has combined its business and consumer magazine divisions, and has let go of two of its veterans in the process.

According to Rogers' Marketing Magazine, Brian Segal, president and CEO of Rogers Publishing, said in an internal email June 29 that the company’s overall strategy is to “work in a more integrated manner to better serve our customers and markets. As a result I am today announcing changes to the publishing company structure that will allow us to take one step closer to making that vision a reality.”

The change means John Milne, senior vice-president of Rogers’ Business and Professional Publishing group with 35 years experience with Rogers Publishing, and Paul Williams, vice-president, brand extension and online development, will be leaving the company July 8, noted Marketing. Publishers will now report to Patrick Renard, the vice-president of finance, added Marketing.

Rogers Publishing also recently sold 15 trade magazines to Vancouver’s Glacier Media.

On Rogers Connect website, 31 business and professional titles are listed including Advisor's Edge, Medical Post, Benefits Canada, CARDOnline, Marketing, and Canadian Grocer.

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Comments:

43. Anonymous says:

18 August 2011 at 11:28 AM

#40 is right. The recession is what gave these magazines a buzz cut. Yes Rogers got rid of some great talent during the madness but I doubt very much the prospects for these magazines would have been significantly better with that talent at the helm.

42. Anonymous says:

11 August 2011 at 3:17 PM

Spot on #38 and, for the most part, #39. The truth is often a lot less complex and mysterious than it's made out to be by bitters and crass cynics.

41. Wtf says:

10 August 2011 at 9:52 AM

#39: Who left in 2008 and 2009 that was so vital to the business? Please enlighten us. Geez, do you think the fact that period coincides with the great recession had anything to do with the business/media/economy/industries changing?

40. Anonymous says:

9 August 2011 at 2:21 PM

Rogers turfed the industry magazines, not because the industry changed, but because Rogers changed key staff in 2008 and 2009 and the formerly profitable publications spiralled down with no end in sight.

39. Anonymous says:

7 August 2011 at 9:51 PM

The problem was not that the business changed and many people were unwilling to change with it. The problem was mismanagement of the industrial titles by a new SVP who thought he had all the answers and anyone who didn't agree with him "didn't get it." People with longstanding industry relationships were let-go and others chose to leave the madness. The business went with these people, the magazines started to lose money, and the senior management wanted to remove the result of their incompetence from view, hence the sale. It was no more complicated than that. And now the people responsible for all this are gone too--or going.

38. Anonymous says:

4 August 2011 at 4:23 PM

to number 36: my comment states that it is one of the many reasons Rogers turfed the magazines but certainly not the only one. Perhaps the comment is a little crass, but there is no denying that the business has changed and there were many people unable and unwilling to change with it.

37. Hungry Editor says:

4 August 2011 at 3:28 PM

Where can I find this buffet?

36. Wtf says:

4 August 2011 at 12:30 PM

To #35: That's just a stupid thing to say. I agree there may be editors who, as you say, focus on nothing more than the next issue and free buffets, but that's hardly why a). business publishing is challenged and b). Rogers decided to get out of the business. Those people should have been/will be dealt with individually.

35. Anonymous says:

3 August 2011 at 9:41 AM

#30 & 32, the hardworking editorial hacks who focus on nothing more than getting the next issue out and the buffet at the next press junket is one of the many reasons Rogers is disposing its business publishing holdings. The publishing world has changed. You can't be the voice of your community by sitting behind your desk all day rumaging through product releases to fill up space. Sure the editors and publishers work hard. But maybe they are working on the wrong things.

34. Norm De Plume says:

2 August 2011 at 7:52 AM

To number 31, how hardworking could you possibly be if you waste your time commenting on news that is over a month old?

33. Anonymous says:

30 July 2011 at 8:52 PM

WOW, reading some of these comments, everything bad in magazines seems to be Rogers's fault. Why stop there? Let's blame Rogers for EVERYTHING: high oil prices, global warming...that asteroid heading our way!

32. Cindy says:

30 July 2011 at 12:16 PM

To #31: Really? That's just silly.

31. Anonymous says:

29 July 2011 at 9:58 AM

To number 30, how hardworking could you possibly be if you waste your tome commenting on news that is over a month old?

30. Anonymous says:

28 July 2011 at 3:25 PM

Now now #29 & 27, no need to get huffy for not doing your homework by drawing absurd apples-and-oranges comparisons between Mechanical Business and Walrus, very childish. The truth is that the list of former Rogers/MH magazines, as well as startups by former Rogers people let go, thriving in the market at Rogers expense is actually more extensive than many realize, and about to get more extensive still. And as one of the long-time hardworking & underappreciated editorial hacks shipped off by Rogers to Glacier, I can honestly say (speaking for editors/writers) that the sale was probably the best thing that could have happened to them in the context of the current marketplace, even if many of them may not yet fully realize it.

29. Anonymous says:

19 July 2011 at 8:16 PM

Hey #27: "Renovation Contractor is feasting on its Rogers competitor..." Really? Didn't Renovation Contractor just come out with its first issue...ever? Regarding Mechanical Business...I'm sure The Walrus will be very afraid at next year's National Magazine Awards.

28. Anonymous says:

15 July 2011 at 9:38 PM

I agree with #18. The veterans worked hard and did what was asked of them and more, but it didn't help any of them, they were all out the door anyway. Trouble is if your head pops above the top line your out, no matter how hard and how current you keep your skills updated.

27. Anonymous says:

15 July 2011 at 12:07 PM

Well 26, haven't got time to do all your homework, but you could start with Renovation Contractor,Ignite and Mechanical Business who all feasted on Rogers' B2B lunch.

26. Anonymous says:

8 July 2011 at 9:18 PM

So based on many of the comments here (in particular No. 11 and No. 24) Rogers Publishing is the dumbest magazine publisher in the world. Apparently Maclean's, Canadian Business, Marketing and Medical Post suck. Okay. So who are these brilliant independent magazines (especially in B2B) wowing readers with their journalist brilliance? Five or six names would be helpful since there is such glee here in bashing Rogers magazines without citing who is actually better.

25. Anonymous says:

8 July 2011 at 10:24 AM

Milne thought he was a contender for Segal's job. When Whyte got the position, he had to get rid of the defeated Milne. And Williams and Milne are joined at the hip, so he had to go too.

24. Anonymous says:

8 July 2011 at 7:58 AM

It's all about money folks. Executive management can spin it any way it wants but it boils down to profit and loss especially as it relates to the bigger organizations. Unlike the leaner, and I would suggest "smarter" independent publishers, they fail to adapt and recognize opportunity with the need to move quickly. Look at the last 2 years in this business, from CLB to Rogers; when they can't get their "return" they abandon the business. I say good on the smaller publishers who recognize the opportunity to address the informational needs of a market and go about with vigor providing that information in multiple formats. And BTW, advertisers like that!

23. Anonymous says:

6 July 2011 at 7:33 PM

#20 WTF: no way John and Paul negotiated their departure. Segal doesn't usually walk people to the door. They were told that there was a reorganization and they weren't part of it, and given a few days to tidy up. End of story.

22. Anonymous says:

6 July 2011 at 10:37 AM

It's no secret that Rogers was "saddled" by M-H magazines so as it could get the electronic communications licenses from Ottawa. After nearly two decades, it will now dispose of the former M-H titles, which it reluctantly bought, and become a purely electronic communications entity. First to go were the 15 B2Bs. I'll bet they will sell the rest of the B2Bs in the next few years. Finally, they will sell their consumer books. They will tell Ottawa that they put the time, made the effort, but it didn't work... it was a bad fit... we are in the electronic era... print is dying, etc.

21. Anonymous says:

6 July 2011 at 9:16 AM

Rogers is just getting rid of expensive management to make business publishing easier to sell off. It will be gone within a year.

20. Wtf says:

5 July 2011 at 9:31 AM

Who would have thought Milne and Williams would ever be part of the carnage? Many posts from earlier stories on Rogers seemed to blast Milne et al for gassing all those people over the years. Dose of his own medicine? Given that they are staying on to July 8, that indicates they at least partially negotiated their departure, which means they will be well looked after. It's clear Rogers is trying to reinvent its publishing business in order to survive, given the upheaval in the medium in recent years.

19. Anonymous says:

5 July 2011 at 2:07 AM

How will 7th floor Rogers employees deal without the annual John Milne lunch from now on?

18. Janete. says:

4 July 2011 at 10:50 PM

#14- are you kidding me? There are no unhappy old timers at Rogers because there ARE no old timers at Rogers. No matter how effective they are, anyone over 50 has a very large bullseye on their forehead.

17. Anonymous says:

4 July 2011 at 7:57 PM

Not Impressed, don't be too comfortable. The odds are your number will be drawn sooner or later.

16. Anonymous says:

4 July 2011 at 3:06 PM

The carnage will continue. The separation between publishing and Rogers senior mngmt is too great, so success is unlikely. The Rogers umbrella will continue to support the business as a stagnant entity, but I agree, #11 is "spot on". Without passion there is no future for the existing books. Current change is good, but boy do they have a long way to go.

15. Anonymous says:

4 July 2011 at 2:17 PM

Sorry, Not Impressed, but several of those deemed "deadwood" or "not current" have gone on to launch successful publications that are beating the Rogers trade mags in market share. It's all about cost-cutting (keep those pensions down) and control, not about talent or effectiveness.

14. Not Impressed says:

4 July 2011 at 11:48 AM

Sorry Observer, but the age discrimination, and that's what it is, has been a problem with Rogers for a long time. But I have to wonder if it is an age thing, or that the older vets earn too much when compared to the junior levels. Yes, the "you get what you pay for" fact is very true, but Rogers doesn't seem to want to learn when it comes to experience. However, let's be very honest. The amount of deadwood, unhappy old timers, and those counting the days to retirement is very high in the ranks of Rogers. Perhaps they've had their passion or drive sucked from them over time, but if Rogers is going to change and improve, they need to get rid of those who aren't keeping up. A sad reality these days. As a long timer with more than 30 years under my belt, I know my value is that I keep current. Many at Rogers have not.

13. Todd Latham says:

4 July 2011 at 11:14 AM

#11 is spot on.. passion for the subject and ground-level involvement with the industries you serve is the only way to succeed in B2B.
My best to John Milne - he's done a lot of great things in his career and I doubt he's finished just yet.

12. Observer says:

4 July 2011 at 9:51 AM

The VP Finance has a business (not accounting) background. Don�t sell him short.
Only some of the fireworks and laughter this weekend were in celebration of Canada Day.
As the company hires a 22-person team for its new Sportsnet magazine, lower level staff, some very long-term, have been quietly let-go in order to maintain head count.
Other than the president�s own retirement next month, does anyone know when the last Rogers Publishing manager retired on his or her own schedule? Managers aged 60+ Rogers are rarer than hen�s teeth, managers 55+ only slightly less so. What does this say about this company?

11. Anonymous says:

4 July 2011 at 1:23 AM

B2B needs passion. Independents are best suited for this. The big guys can't deliver consistently. Their people come and go. It is just a stepping stone for their careers. Success in these vertical sectors is all about becoming an integral part of the industry that they work within (like Masthead has/does), not about having deep pockets. That 'drive' doesn't come from a paycheque.

10. Captain Hook says:

3 July 2011 at 2:30 PM

Reporting to the VP Finance usually means even more cost cutting. Operations are very lean now so beware all six figure salaries with stock options.

9. Pretty_girl says:

2 July 2011 at 12:59 PM

Lots of personal feelings here about Rogers etc... but the big picture here is that it's a further step in the contraction of the magazine business in general, and towards the ultimate shift towards wherever we're headed (be it digital or whatever...).

8. Joker says:

1 July 2011 at 9:04 AM

#6...how can anyone know how 'happy' they are after just one month when everyone, mgmt and newbies, is on best behavior? Check with them a. Year from now.

7. Anonymous says:

30 June 2011 at 7:16 PM

Doubtless #2 is onto something. It's hard to believe that Maclean's was profitable after all the National Posties signed on.

6. Johnny says:

30 June 2011 at 4:37 PM

Answering #2 - if Rogers is indeed selling the rest of b2b and the scuttlebut is that they are perhaps it will breathe new life into those long suffering publications. The people who moved to Glacier are reported to be happier now that they're valued and part of a core business again.

5. Joker says:

30 June 2011 at 2:27 PM

I doubt Rogers will dump the Benefits Canada group as it reportedly makes more profit than any consumer or medical mag there. Why do you think Rogers held on to it?

4. Jaded says:

30 June 2011 at 12:45 PM

Publishers reporting to the VP of Finance?

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Who came up with that genius idea?

3. Cybergirl says:

30 June 2011 at 11:14 AM

@Dirk...It seems the writing is on the wall for the remaining B2B books. They will continue to be overlooked and underfunded. I think it's just a matter of time before they put them on the chopping block as well. Having publishers reporting into finance? Huh? Sounds like there was very little thought put into what's actually good for those remaining magazines. It�s too bad. I feel for all the folks still there trying to get magazines out in the midst of all of this.

2. Dirk Digler says:

30 June 2011 at 10:12 AM

So is this good or bad news for the future of Rogers' trade pubs?

1. Interesting says:

30 June 2011 at 9:54 AM

Well, it finally has happened! Someone has figured out that Rogers is top heavy with mangement. Well done! Now do your staff a favour and keep the axe swinging. There are still too many in senior positions who have no idea what's happening in the real world, and continue to keep down the people who can turn things around. But as for having Publishers reporting to the v.p. of Finance? This is a classic example of oil and water not mixing. What number cruncher understands the challenges a publisher faces? My experience has been the accounting world looks for guarantees before moving forward. If there was ever an industry with no guarantees, publishing is it!

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