Rogers Media announced the appointment of John Hinnen to Vice-President of News for Rogers Media Television and Radio, effective immediately. In this newly created position, Hinnen assumes expanded duties to oversee the direction for all Rogers Media television and radio news brands nationally.
Previously, Hinnen was Vice-President of News for Rogers Radio and Vice-President & General Manager of 680News, Canada’s #1 news radio station. He will continue to oversee 680News and all news content for the 55 Rogers Radio stations, including the four all-news radio stations and four news-talk stations, and will now also oversee CityNews and CityNews Channel.
Hinnen has led all newsgathering efforts for the Rogers Radio brands across Canada since 1999.
“John is one of the industry’s most well-respected news leaders, and under his management our Rogers Radio news brands have become synonymous with excellence,” said Scott Moore, President, Broadcast, Rogers Media. “United under one vision, John will lead our suite of television and radio news brands into the next generation of news coverage to create an unparalleled audience experience.”
This move will allow Rogers Media to leverage the power of its television and radio news brands to deliver world-class, award-winning news content. CityNews and Rogers Radio will continue to operate as separate newsrooms, but will be aligned under Hinnen’s leadership.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with the outstanding news teams at Citytv, while at the same time continuing my long and special relationship with all of my radio colleagues,” said Hinnen.
A 40-year industry veteran, Hinnen has held a variety of senior positions within Rogers Radio, including Vice-President of News at CHFI, News and Sports Director at CFTR, and Chairman of the Rogers Multimedia Content Committee, where he spearheaded creative content synergies for news coverage across Rogers Media’s suite of assets. Hinnen joined Rogers Media in 1974 as a sports announcer for CFTR.
Under Hinnen’s leadership, Rogers Radio brands have won hundreds of awards, including the recently announced international Edward R. Murrow award for 680News and News1130, and 13 Radio-Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) awards in 2012 for news excellence in large and medium markets across Canada.
A personal multiple-award winner, Hinnen is the recipient of the RTDNA’s President’s Award (2012 and 2011), the association’s highest honour.
A graduate of the Humber College Broadcast Journalism program, Hinnen was born in the Netherlands and moved to Toronto at the age of seven. He is an active member of the broadcast community and currently sits on the Board of Directors at six professional associations, including the Ontario Association of Broadcasters as Vice-President.
