Paul Robertson, the executive vice president of Shaw Communications and president of Shaw Media, has died following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, the company announced late Tuesday.
Robertson was 59.
“He was a warm and caring leader with an infectious sense of humour and a relentless passion for our industry,” Brad Shaw, the CEO of Shaw Communications, said in a statement released to Shaw’s Global News. “He lived every day with heart and laughter, and he generously shared his wisdom and insight with all around him.”
Global described Robertson as “a key figure in developing what (Canadians) see on Global, on Shaw Media’s 19 specialty channels and on GlobalNews.ca.”
Robertson had more than three decades experience working in the Canadian broadcast industry. His executive roles included stints at CTV, Nelvana, Baton Broadcasting and Corus Television. He also served as a marketing executive to General Foods and Campbell Soup.
Though unknown in large part to the average Canadian television viewer, his decisions at Shaw were paramount to what audiences saw on the air.
“A big chunk of the country owes a debt of gratitude to Paul,” said Global News executive Troy Reeb. “He has been a tremendous champion of a fair and independent Global News. He knew that the heart and soul of Global rested with how it connected with its audiences and community through news and at the local level.”
Robertson leaves behind a wife and daughter.
