James K. MacLeod (1947-)

James K. MacLeod

Year Born: 1947

MacLeod, James K. (1947- )

Jim started his broadcasting career in 1967 on-air at CKDH Amherst, N.S., and moved that same year to CHUM Limited’s CJCH Halifax.

In 1970, Jim moved to CFBC Saint John, N.B. as program director, then back to CJCH in the same role in 1972. In 1974, he left broadcasting for a four-year term in Ottawa as national executive director of the 6,000-member Canada Jaycees. He kept his hand in broadcasting with some work at CFRA.

In late 1977, Jim resigned from the Jaycees to move back to broadcasting with Jack Schoone’s Eastern Broadcasting group. He was general manager of CFOR Orillia for two years, then of CKGB/CFTI FM Timmins for another two years. While he was in Timmins, the company was acquired by Telemedia.

In 1981, Jim returned to CHUM to head the three-station Alberta group it had just acquired – CKDQ Drumheller, CKSQ Stettler, and CIBQ Brooks. CKDQ was boosted to 50,000 watts to blanket southern Alberta.

In 1987, the MacLeod family moved east to Halifax where Jim was made president of the emerging broadcast operations of Newfoundland Capital Corporation.

In 1993 Jim joined with Jack Schoone again as a minority partner and president of Radiocorp Inc., which was purchasing CKLH FM/CKOC Hamilton and CJBX FM/CJBK London.

By the late 90s, consolidation was under way in broadcasting and the partners of Radiocorp decided their successful stations would be more secure in the hands of a larger company. Telemedia acquired the stations in late 1999 and Jim remained with Telemedia as senior vice-president.

In February 2001, Jim was appointed president and CEO of BBM Canada, which provided broadcasters, advertisers, and agencies with audience research derived from electronic and diary services.

Over the years, Jim served as board member and chairman of the Radio Marketing Bureau, board member and chairman of the Radio Board, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, and board member and chairman of BBM. He was also a member of city council in Drumheller and involved in many community organizations.

Written by Jerry Fairbridge – January, 2002