TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - After a celebrated 50-year
career at Rogers Media, beloved 680 NEWS and Breakfast Television
Toronto traffic reporter Russ Holden
announced his retirement. Holden has the distinguished honour of
being the second longest-serving employee ever at Rogers.
"For the past 50 years, I've been truly fortunate to turn my
passion for flying and reporting into a career," said Holden.
Holden joined the company in 1967 in the operations department
at 98.1 CHFI, followed by years in commercial and program
production. Soon after, Holden took to the sky as an airborne
traffic reporter, spending decades informing Toronto and cottage country radio audiences of
the latest traffic news. He later moved to 680 NEWS when it first
hit the airwaves in 1993 as a traffic reporter, helping solidify
the success of the all-news radio station. Most recently, Holden
has been a fan favourite on Breakfast Television Toronto.
"Russ is deeply entrenched in the Toronto community and has been part of
listeners' and viewers' morning routine for decades. He is truly
passionate and dedicated to his craft, and is an exemplary member
of our Rogers family," said Rick
Brace, President, Rogers Media. "The late Ted Rogers named Russ 'a true pioneer', and I
couldn't agree more."
During his time at 680 NEWS, Holden was an integral member of
the on-air team, winning numerous awards including Canadian RTDNA
and Edward R. Murrow Awards. Holden contributed to award-winning
coverage, including his traffic reports during the SARSStock Relief
Concert in 2003, G20 protests in 2010, and a breakdown of the
subway system during the morning drive in June 2015.
A supportive mentor to his colleagues, Holden has also spent
years teaching broadcast at Ryerson
University, Centennial College and Seneca College.
About Rogers
Rogers is a leading diversified Canadian
communications and media company that's working to deliver a great
experience to our customers every day. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless
communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable
television, high-speed Internet, information technology, and
telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers
Media, we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, sports,
televised and online shopping, magazines, and digital media. Our
shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:
RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:
RCI).
SOURCE Rogers Media