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Bill Evanov, President and CEO of Evanov Communications Inc. was recently inducted into the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame during Canada Music Week in Toronto, Thursday March 10th 2011.
PHOTOS
Click here to see PHOTOS from the event.
Duff Roman introduction speech
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I feel very honoured to be given the privilege of introducing Bill Evanov.
Tonight, Bill will be honoured by the Candian music and broadcasting industries with The Allan F. Waters Lifetime Achievement Award and Induction into the Broadcast Hall of Fame. I am very proud of CMW and its music and broadcasting patrons for getting this induction right. The music industry has known for some time that the indies and the emerging artists bring vitality, diversity and, in many cases, the next big thing. This year, it’s the radio independents turn. There is no better representative of the entrepreneur, pioneer ethic than Bill Evanov. We have a video that will tell the amazing story of his way successful career better than I can. Rather, I speak as someone who gets to spend some time in the busy beehive we call Evanov World Headquarters, buzzing with the energy and contagious spirit of people who love their jobs.
At a young age, it was clear Bill was destined for what lay ahead; as a teenager, he loved to build crystal radio sets and later he organized many events and virtually everything else he felt passionate about. He still runs with that same energy and enthusiasm every day of his life.
Bill Evanov went from owning 3 radio stations in Toronto to 11 across the country in a span of just six years. It is one thing to operate radio stations, it is another to be hugely successful doing so, especially in major markets where competition from the large corporations is extreme.
As an astute entrepreneur, who saw what Iggy Kaneff accomplished in Mississauga & Brampton and then 6 golf courses, including Lionhead, Bill knows the value of real estate. The Evanov company owns every building and the land that each station occupies across the country, including its new head office headquartered on Dundas Street in Toronto.
The importance of education is not lost on Bill. Evanov Communications supports education through a series of scholarships and endowments for several university and college institutions Waterloo, Acadia, King’s, Dalhousie, Carlton, Guelph, Sherbrook, Humber, Western, and the University of Manitoba.
Something else that’s very important to Bill is to show leadership in the community. The Evanov stations raise funds every year through dozens of charity initiatives including “Boating For The Cure” on Lake Muskoka, an event he personally supports raising thousands of dollars every year for prostate and breast cancer. And to make those communities safer, Evanov has a leading role in Student Crime Stoppers, a partnership between the public, the police and the media.
Bill gives back to the industry he loves as a board member with the Ontario Association of Broadcasters and he makes sure his radio team holds member status and board positions across all industry organizations including Canadian Women in Communications, BBM – Bureau of Broadcast Measurement and the BES – Broadcast Executive Society.
In a smaller company, the motivation comes from hands-on leadership and the ability to make quick decisions and turn on a dime. At Evanov, every day is up close and personal and we like it that way because it quickly reveals the true character of an individual.
Ladies and gentlemen, he’s a trailblazer with spirit and attitude and the moxy that personifies independent radio – my colleague and friend – the president and CEO of Evanov Communications, Bill Evanov.
Bill Evanov – CMW Speech
Ladies and gentlemen,...
It is a great honour to be recognized and share this award with Allan Waters, Allan Slate, Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Sarah McLachlan and so many other great Canadian artists and broadcasters.
For this award and recognition, I would like to thank Neill Dixon and Canadian Music Week.
Back in the 90’s, I had the option of selling my 2 stations (CIAO AM & Z103.5) – my son Paul Evanov came to me and expressed his desire to stay in broadcasting for the long haul – we stayed, worked hard together, and embarked on a mission to grow the company into what it is today.
I must tell you, that, even though...someone may be a visionary and be a driving force...no person is an island...
No one person can build a large company – you need good STAFF.
Well, I was blessed with, and I am fortunate to have, almost 300 of the very best radio people in this country...within our radio group. They provide the energy, the creativity, the dedication and the combativeness...to succeed. It is they, as the underdog who have (against all odds), taken on the big corporate broadcast companies and made the Evanov Radio Group the largest independent broadcaster.
So to our staff, I say...I thank you...I applaud you.
We have a motto at our company – “Move Like Lightning” and “Just do it -- Make it Happen”.
There are so many people I could thank...but I would like to especially acknowledge the Best Vice President of Sales in Canada...who was the driving force that organized every detail and made this evening happen...Ms. Ky Joseph.
Recently, our staff has received many awards and acknowledgments. Here is another one: It is with great pleasure to inform you that one of our Vice Presidents, Carmela Laurignano has been named one of the Canadian Women in Communications Leadership Excellence Award winners and is being recognized in the Trailblazer category. The CWC and The Evanov Radio Group believe that leadership is what takes a person from good to great in everything they do.
The award I am receiving is named after Allan Waters, the founder of CHUM Radio. As a teenager I grew up to the music of CHUM AM and later in my career, I had the honour of meeting Allan Waters on a number of occasions, for whom I had the greatest respect. Therefore, I must say, I am humbled by this award and it is a true honour. Thank you.
Enjoy the rest of the evening...
Etobicoke Guardian: InsideToronto.com
Independent radio entrepreneur honoured
Longtime Etobian Bill Evanov inducted into Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame
MEDIA RELEASE
2011 INDUCTEE TO CANADIAN MUSIC & BROADCASTING INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCED MR. BILL EVANOV |
