Memo: John Boynton named Torstar President and CEO and Toronto Star Publisher
The following memo was sent to Torstar staff on Mar. 3, 2017, from John Honderich, Chair, Torstar.
I am pleased to announce that John Boynton has been named today as President and Chief Executive Officer of Torstar and as Publisher of the Toronto Star, effective March 31, 2017. Mr. Boynton succeeds David Holland, who announced last year his intention to retire when a successor had been appointed.
He will be the 11th President and CEO of Torstar and the 10th Publisher of the Toronto Star in the newspaper’s 125-year history.
Mr. Boynton, 53, has enjoyed an exceptional career in marketing and advertising, having held senior positions for more than 25 years in highly competitive businesses in Canada, the United States and Europe and earning respect as a turnaround and transformational leader.
Mr. Boynton is widely recognized for his experience and expertise in social, digital and mobile strategy and execution, with an emphasis on generating revenue and providing meaningful content for customers. Also, his background in marketing and advanced data analytics and monetization will assist Torstar in offering new and unique opportunities for its advertising and marketing clients.
Since 2014 Mr. Boynton has served as Chief Marketing Officer of the Americas Coalitions business of Aimia Inc., a leading data-driven marketing and loyalty analytics company that owns and operates Aeroplan and other loyalty programs across the globe. At Aimia, he was responsible for leading a team that transformed Aeroplan, resulting in improved revenues, advanced data capabilities for marketing clients and overall operating results.
Before joining Aimia Mr. Boynton was Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Rogers Communications Inc., one of Canada’s largest media and communications companies. Prior to working for 12 years at Rogers Communications, he held senior executive positions with companies including Sprint Canada, AT&T Canada, Scott’s Hospitality and Pepsico.
He is a proven strategic leader and turnaround specialist with a background in leading successful teams in a variety of businesses, including data, digital, technology, internet, mobile, video, entertainment and consumer goods and is ideally suited for Torstar at this time in the company’s evolution towards a more digital and mobile future.
In addition, he brings to the Toronto Star a commitment and passion for the Atkinson Principles that guide Canada’s largest newspaper.
Mr. Boynton is Co-Vice Chair of the Toronto Region Board of Trade and a member of the board of the Canadian Marketing Association and Prostate Cancer Canada.
Born and raised in Toronto, Mr. Boynton is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, Richard Ivey School of Business.
Please join me in welcoming John to Torstar.
H.G. Watson was J-Source's managing editor from 2015 to 2018. She is a journalist based in Toronto. You can learn more about her at hgwatson.com.