Quebecor Media Names Benoit Robert to Head Sports and Entertainment Group

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - July 30, 2014) -

Note to editors: An image is included with this press release on Marketwire's website.

Quebecor Media Inc. (Quebecor Media) is pleased to announce the appointment of Benoît Robert as President and CEO of the Sports and Entertainment Group, succeeding Aldo Giampaolo, now CEO of Feeling Productions, which manages Céline Dion's career. Benoît Robert has more than 30 years of experience in management, marketing and business development with, among others, the Los Angeles Kings and AEG, one of the world's largest managers of sports and entertainment venues.

Benoît Robert joins Quebecor Media on August 18, 2014. Among other things, he will be responsible for management of the Québec City Amphitheatre, including the production and promotion of major sporting and cultural events. This important appointment is in keeping with Quebecor Media's mission of remaining Québec's sports and entertainment leader by attracting the best talent.

"We are very pleased to welcome Benoît Robert to Quebecor Media," said Pierre Dion, President and CEO of Quebecor and Quebecor Media. "Benoît has an MBA with a specialization in marketing and has acquired solid high-level management experience with prominent multinational organizations as well as expertise in sports team management. He is not only highly competent but also passionate about achieving results. He is known as well for his commitment to the community. Québec City residents will enjoy the benefit of his in-depth knowledge of amateur and professional hockey, his extensive network of sports and entertainment contacts in the U.S. and his consummate sense of entrepreneurship."

"I am proud to be joining Quebecor Media, a flagship Québec company that has built a strong and close relationship with Quebecers, and I am excited about the prospect of contributing to the success of the Sports and Entertainment Group" said Benoît Robert. "I am determined to make the Québec City Amphitheatre a unique venue of which Québec City residents can be proud."

Biography

A Montréal native, Benoît Robert earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in marketing from the University of New Haven in Connecticut, where he was also awarded a hockey scholarship. After completing his MBA, Benoît Robert worked in finance for three years, occupying several positions in Nortel Networks' Financial Management Program, including Regional Sales Manager. He then decided to focus his career on business development, sales and management, working for leading companies such as Qualcomm and Ericsson. In 2008, he joined the Los Angeles Kings and AEG, a world leader in the management of major sports and entertainment venues, as Vice President, Business Development. In that capacity, he developed new revenue-building strategies that leveraged new technologies and signed partnership agreements with major partners such as Chevron, Warner Brothers and Nestlé. In 2009, he became owner and president of the Omaha Lancers, a USHL hockey team, and tackled the challenge of reviving the team's fortunes. During his five years with the Lancers, Benoît Robert turned around the organization's finances, equipped the team with a new arena, and substantially increased community support for its local hockey team. In the 2009-2010 season, the Omaha Lancers were named "Organization of the Year" and Benoît Robert was named "Executive of the Year."