WARREN COSFORD
190 Janette Avenue, Windsor ON N9A 4Y8
Professional Profile
30+ years of progressive radio industry management experience
20 years of experience as an innovator and leader with the CHUM Group
Pioneer in the current radio syndication industry in Canada
Comprehensive personal and professional knowledge of media industry
(broadcasting - radio/TV, music industry & recording arts, performing arts, writing)
Demonstrated ability to anticipate pop culture and recognize / develop talent
Solid track record of leading teams to achieve domination in all Canadian Award Categories
Able to create focus, vision and unity amongst all staff members
Teaching experience at University level (Communication Studies),
plus extensive policy development /
implementation including teaching, motivating and mentoring
Expertise in competitive analysis and strategy development
Proven successes in all facets of financial planning, budget control,
efficiency enhancement, and cost reduction initiatives
Strong technical knowledge with experience in researching, purchasing,
and negotiating contracts with equipment manufacturers / suppliers
Decisive and proactive problem solver and change maker
Career History
MEDIA CONSULTANT - 1997-Present
WRITER - 1970-Present
SESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR (Communication Studies), University of Windsor - 2000
OPERATIONS MANAGER, Radio 4, Windsor, ON - 1993-1997
MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR - 1992/1993
VICE PRESIDENT / GENERAL MANAGER, CJBK and CJBX, London, ON - 1989-1992
OPERATIONS MANAGER, WDRE, Garden City, NY - 1987-1989
DIRECTOR (Special Projects), CHUM Group Radio, Toronto, ON - 1981-1987
PARTNER, Production One, Toronto, ON - 1981-1984
PROGRAM DIRECTOR, CHUM-FM, Toronto, ON - 1977-1980
PRODUCTION MANAGER, CHUM-AM/FM, Toronto, ON - 1970-1977
PRODUCTION MANAGER, CJOB AM/FM, Winnipeg, MB - 1967-1970
Achievements
MEDIA CONSULTANT - 1997-Present
Client List: various radio stations in Canada and the United States, members of The Law Society of Ontario,
Commercial Alcohols The Capital Theatre and Arts Centre, an Event Promotion Company in Las Vegas, and various
syndicated radio shows.
Created "On-Campus Lecture via The Internet" with legendary producer, Bob Ezrin of Enigma Digital Dot Com
(producer for Pink Floyd, KISS, Alice Cooper, Nine Inch Nails, et al). The Program was transmitted “live” from Los
Angeles to colleges and universities in both Canada and the USA including Fanshawe College, Loyalist College,
Humber College, the University of Windsor and Specs-Howard in Detroit.
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Contracted by CHUM Limited as Executive Producer to
“bring the era of 1050 CHUM as a Music Station to a close with style, dignity, class and flair”.
Associate producer: Radio Revolution: The Rise and Fall of The Big 8 CKLW. Gemini Award-Winning Documentary
WRITER - 1970-Present
Wrote many articles for RPM Magazine related to radio and music industry
Review of "The Powerful Radio Workbook" published in Radio Ink Magazine's Dec. 2000 issue
Numerous articles appearing on Internet sites (details available upon request)
SESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR (Communication Studies), University of Windsor - 2000
Received excellent reviews from both students and faculty for curriculum development
and implementation for students at 3rd Level Communication Studies 315
Incorporated a significant practical component into existing theoretical studies
OPERATIONS MANAGER, Radio 4, Windsor, ON - 1993-1997
Developed a unique blend of operational systems (successfully merging two competing stations), maximizing the
financial potential of Canada's first radio duopoly (then CHUM's 3rd most financially successful franchise)
Reorganized and provided direction to Copy, Production, Engineering, Promotion and News
Created nationally syndicated talk shows, People Helping People and The Eugene Whelan Agriculture Show
Debuted in Canada: Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Dr. Joy Browne
Instrumental in achieving revenue increases of 40%
As Program Director of 3 of the 4 stations, achieved the following results:
7.6 to a 13.3 in the Windsor BBM (CKLW News/Talk)
1.9 to a 3.3 in the Detroit Arbitrons (89X Modern Rock)
1st Windsor FM station to achieve a 3+ share in Detroit
1.7 to a 3.2 in the Detroit Arbitrons (CKWW Nostalgia)
1st time CKWW had ever achieved a 3+ share in Detroit
MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR - 1992/1993
Led a radio station purchasing venture in Vancouver, BC; license dismissed by CRTC.
VICE PRESIDENT / GENERAL MANAGER, CJBK and CJBX, London, ON - 1989-1992
At the height of Canada's recession, increased market revenue share by 5% while downsizing staff by 37%
Achieved 4.0 to a 9.0 in the London BBMs (CJBK Oldies)
Achieved 11.0 to a 16.0 in the London BBMs (CJBX Country)
OPERATIONS MANAGER, WDRE, Garden City, NY - 1987-1989
Assisted with application to the FCC for licensing
Created effective strategies for all aspects of station launch and operations
Debuted station with a 2.0 share in the Nassau-Suffolk Arbitron
Contributed to the storyline development, and made a brief appearance in
the award winning movie/documentary Depeche Mode 101 produced by D.H. Pennebaker
Organized The Wave of Solidarity, a project designed to create the political will
to clean up Manhattan Beach on Long Island
Created a promotion called The Birth of a Record during The New Music Seminar in New York with producer,
Ed Stasium. Over a period of three evenings, we produced a song to tape live on the radio, which was later
released on an album by Crossfire Choir
DIRECTOR (Special Projects), CHUM Group Radio, Toronto, ON - 1981-1987
Position specifically created to complement my talents and the company's requirements
National On-Air Talent Development and Coordination
Promotion / Marketing Development and Coordination
Team Member in the development of CRTC presentations to purchase licenses of
CFRW / CFRW-FM Winnipeg and CITY-TV Toronto
Participated in License Review Hearing for CHUM-FM
Executive Producer, "Trans Canada Rocks" Canada's first "National Contest" for unsigned bands; arranged for
winning band to be produced by Bob Ezrin; subsequently released on A&M Records
Co-executive Producer, Video Projects: The History of Rock and CHUM Video Dances
Co-producer of record, "I Feel Like Buddy Holly" by Dorian, on A&M Records
Co-executive Producer, Radio / TV Simulcasts with CITY-TV
Liaison with Program Directors and General Managers
Created Canadian Talent Development initiatives, one of which evolved into FACTOR
(Fund to Assist Canadian Talent on Record)
Re-engineered the CHUM / CITY TV Christmas Wish
PARTNER, Production One, Toronto, ON - 1981-1984
In partnership with Doug Thompson, produced and distributed through Telemedia, two 12-hour programs,
The Producers and a 26-hour program, Superstar Countdown.
Commissioned by Supertramp to produce a documentary on their career for ABC
PROGRAM DIRECTOR, CHUM-FM, Toronto, ON - 1977-1980
In one year period, led station from #1 FM in Toronto to #1 FM in Canada despite the addition of
two direct competitors in Toronto
Initiated an internationally renowned series of over 100 live concerted broadcasts
(many originating at Toronto's El Mocambo)
Following CHUM-CITY-TV partnership, produced 26 Radio/TV Simulcasts, which evolved into
the MUCH Music cable video channel
PRODUCTION MANAGER, CHUM-AM/FM, Toronto, ON - 1970-1977
Production Department dominated all Canadian award categories and won multiple
national and international awards for outstanding commercials and documentaries
Produced the following internationally syndicated documentaries: The Story of The Beatles,
The Elvis Presley Story, The Evolution of Rock, and The Top 100 of the Year
Produced the #1 Talk Show in Canada, The John Gilbert Show
Co-Producer of record, "No Charge" by John Gilbert, released on Capital Records, 1976
PRODUCTION MANAGER, CJOB AM/FM, Winnipeg, MB - 1967-1970
Led production team as an "in house" radio agency, writing and producing all the creative for major clientele
including Eaton's and The Bay
Dominated all Canadian Award categories and won 12 Awards for Creative Excellence
