Deane Cameron announced as President and CEO of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall

The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall Board of Governors today announced the appointment of Deane Cameron as its new President & Chief Executive Officer, effective September 15, 2015.

A respected music and entertainment senior executive, the Torontonian and life-long Canadian arts and culture advocate, will oversee all aspects of the Corporation’s management.

“The Board are excited and pleased to have a person of Deane Cameron’s calibre to lead the Corporation at such an exciting time in our organization’s history,” said Richard Hamm, Chair of the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall Board of Governors. “We have full confidence that Deane will bring meaningful opportunities for audiences and artists alike on behalf of one of Canada’s premiere music and entertainment institutions.”

“I am honoured and thrilled to not only be a part of this iconic music company’s legacy, but to join the impressive momentum within the organization” says Cameron of the appointment. “The team is a creative force in the live entertainment world and this is truly a unique opportunity for me, as a proud Canadian, to explore and support all exciting ways that we can best serve the community through the revitalization of Massey Hall, new program initiatives on all of our stages, and beyond.”

For more than 40 years, Mr. Cameron has played a significant role in shaping the music and entertainment industry in Canada and is often regarded as a Canadian Music Ambassador. As President and CEO of EMI Music Canada, a role he held for 24 years, Cameron has been instrumental in the careers of countless Canadian and international artists, closely connected with not only Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall but the biggest names in entertainment.

“Since the very early stages of my professional career Deane has supported and encouraged me, and he was there to celebrate with us when I made my headline debut at Massey Hall just over a year ago,” commented recording artist Serena Ryder. “Every artist knows that these are among the greatest stages a musician can aspire to anywhere in the world. I congratulate Deane on this announcement on behalf of all artists fortunate enough to work with him and know that music fans everywhere will benefit – because he’s one of us. A true music champion.”

Mr. Cameron is the recipient of some of the highest honours awarded to Canadians for contributions to arts and culture. In 2010 he was named a member of the Order of Canada, and has been celebrated by the JUNO Awards for lifetime achievement with the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, in addition, the Canadian Country Music Association presented Cameron with the Hank Smith Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions made to the advancement of Country music in Canada.

The venerable Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall have earned a reputation as Canada’s home for the world’s most popular music and entertainment, spanning many genres as well as homes for showcasing the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, TIFF Gala Screenings, The Munk Debates, National Geographic Live and more.

“To lead a company that supports such a diverse offering to both the public and the corporate communities of Canada, a senior executive that understands not only the business of entertainment but our unique place in the Canadian music landscape is essential,” says Eileen Costello, Chair of the Board of Governors Search Committee. “We are ambassadors for live music in Toronto on an international level and the Massey Hall Revitalization is a critical time for the Corporation to renew its leadership. Deane Cameron has exemplified not only the intelligence and experience required to lead the Corporation at this time but most importantly, the emotional connection to what makes these halls and our place in the community so exceptional.”

“Over the past number of years we’ve been investing heavily in supporting the developing careers of artists who we present, not only on our main stages but on smaller stages throughout the city,” says Chris Lorway, Director of Programming at Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall. “One of our key objectives is to facilitate the growth of our country’s next generation of musical greats while ensuring that the diversity of Toronto is reflected on our stages. As a management team we welcome and look forward to working with Deane to take these efforts to even greater heights. His achievements in fostering excellence for the benefit of these incredible talents is inspiring and we are confident that both artists and our audiences will gain considerably from his leadership.”

Mr. Cameron served on the Board of Directors of The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) from 1985 – 2014, and was a founding Director in the development of MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity. Cameron served on the Board for Music Canada, and the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA), and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Unison Benevolent Fund, MusiCounts, and the newly founded Canadian Board of Directors of Vintage TV.