Allan slaight biography
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By July 1, 2000, the number of Standard-owned stations had increased to twelve from seven, with stations now in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
In June 2001, Standard purchased 35 radio stations from Telemedia Corp. Along the way, he held announcing and news positions in Edmonton with CFRN and CJCA, and CHED, where, in 1956, he moved from News Director to General Sales Manager.
If you are unfamiliar with his name, it’s only because he preferred it that way, always putting the Artists and the Community first.”
Year Born: 1931
Year of Induction: 1997
Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame
Slaight, Allan (1931- )
Allan Slaight was born in 1931 in Galt, Ontario – born to be a broadcaster.
In 1977, Allan launched a new rock and roll radio station, CILQ-FM, known as Q107, in Toronto.
In 1985, Slaight Communications sold CFGM and Q107 and purchased Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited from Conrad Black. In 2007, the Slaight’s sold Standard Broadcasting to Astral Media.
Radio was not Allan’s only passion.
When I asked what he would tell them, he said “Young people starting out today should be sure to find work in an area they know the will enjoy, and then do everything within their power to succeed within that field….. His magic touch was put to work on several business deals over the years, deals that have catapulted him to the top, both as an industry pioneer and in his present position as majority owner, President and CEO of Standard Broadcasting Corporation.
He moved to Edmonton in 1950, working his way up the ladder being appointed in 1956 as the National Sales Manager at CHED. On merging with IWC Communications Ltd (IWC) in 1973, Allan became Chairman and President of that company (later, Slaight Communications).
In 1974, IWC, in association with other investment partners, rescued the bankrupt Global Television Network, with Allan serving as Chairman, President and CEO until IWC sold its interest in 1977.
In the same year, IWC launched CILQ-FM (Q107) in Toronto.
In 1979, Slaight Communications bought out all other investors in IWC to become the sole owner of CFGM-AM and Q107.
1982 was the year of Allan Slaight’s first major non-broadcasting venture – the purchase of Urban Outdoors Corporation.
In 1985, to facilitate the purchase of Standard Broadcasting Corporation and to comply with the-then CRTC regulations covering the number of ownerships in a market, Allan sold CFGM and Q1O7, and acquired CFRB and CKFM-FM, Toronto, CJAD and CJFM-FM in Montreal, CKQB in Ottawa, and CKTB and CHTZ-FM in St.
Catharines.
In 1988, after selling to Baton Broadcasting CJOH-TV in Ottawa, Standard’s only Canadian TV property, Allan turned his attention to expanding his radio holdings. Allan shot like a rocket through the industry, making a success of everything he undertook. In announcing the Award, CARAS President Melanie Berry said of Allan: “His never-ending dedication to the Canadian radio industry is tireless and exemplary.”
Written by J.
Lyman Potts – August, 2002
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Allan left the station in 1966 to coordinate programming and sales of Radio Caroline, the infamous pirate radio station.On-air, sales, programming, management, ownership — you name it, he excelled at each challenge he took on.
But he’s a programmer at heart, as he told me:”Dick, the aspect of the industry I enjoy the most is programming.”
Not only has his programming expertise changed the industry here in Canada, he helped shape the future of broadcasting in staid old England.
It’s the largest privately owned multi-media company in Canada, with sales of a reported $500 million, 1500 full time employees and 600 part time people.
Not bad for a guy who started at CHAB, Moose Jaw in 1948 at age 17. With ten years experience behind him, in 1958, Allan became Program Director of CHUM, Toronto, and, in 1965, Vice-President and General Manager of CHUM AM/FM.
Allan Slaight’s entrepreneurial skills and proprietary acumen surfaced in 1970 when along with certain investment partners, he purchased radio stations CFGM, Toronto and CFOX, Montreal.
In 1966, Slaight, together with Terry Bate, Don McKenzie and several other Canadians, made British tea cups rattle and regulators shout “Gor blimey!” when they introduced illegal commercial contemporary radio from two ships anchored off of the English coast!
Several years later, your correspondent worked with Don McKenzie, who still enjoyed cracking us up with legendary war stories of the successes they enjoyed.
More years later still, Slaight was still playing that successful hand – in 2026, he made a major purchase of shares in an up-and-coming Internet property, IcebergMedia.
2016 Allan Slaight Music Impact Honouree Brett Kissel presented him his star.
“My name is Andy Kim & I’m honoured to introduce you to Allan Slaight, a true Canadian Pioneer. In July of 2000, Gary succeeded Allan as President and CEO of Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited, with Allan becoming Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.
In 1997, Allan Slaight was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.
In 2001, with the approval of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Allan Slaight was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.
At the Juno Awards in April 2005, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences honoured Allan as the recipient of the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, for his contributions to the nuturing and growth of the music industry.
Under Allan’s leadership, Standard Broadcasting and Standard Radio grew from seven radio stations to a national network of over fifty. However, it was not magic, but fate, that led Allan’s two sons, Gary and Greg, to follow their father’s footsteps into broadcasting. Radio became his life.
The son of a veteran newspaperman, Allan began his chosen career in 1948 as a news reporter/announcer with CHAB, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and in the next two decades moved quickly up the ladder to become, in 1967, the President and General Manager of the dynamic station sales representative firm Stephens and Towndrow in Toronto.
Allan Slaight
Allan Slaight has led a fascinating life, punctuated by at least nine career paths, at the end of which he was always on his feet.
So much so that his nickname should be ‘The Cat.’
Born in Galt, Ontario in 1931, he was born to be a broadcaster – he was the son of a veteran newsman – and he became one of the best.
From a very early age, he was a proficient magician, a skill he still practices and enjoys.