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October 14, 2021 7:19 pm  #1


Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/rogers-feud-pits-chairman-against-family-as-it-pursues-us-16b-deal-1.1666043

Don't know if you've watched or read about the hit show "Succession" but this sounds like the kind of messy that makes good television, but bad business.

Wonder how it will impact Rogers customers. Buy-outs and bonuses and boardroom brawling, oh my.

 

October 14, 2021 7:38 pm  #2


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

This "Rogers is a mess" story, brought to you by Bell's BNN Bloomberg.

 

October 14, 2021 8:10 pm  #3


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

I thought I recall reading something recently about the current Rogers CFO resigning...  kinda of broached at the time that it was to make way for the younger, dynamic CFO coming over from Shaw...

Turns out it was a boardroom power struggle to oust current CEO Joe Natale and install current CFO Tony Staffieri as Edward Rogers Ace card.... Didn't go too well, with Edward's own sister voting against his plan, and she ended up backing Natale.... 

Here is an article from Mobile Syrup from last Friday Oct. 9th.  (the Mobile Syrup article is based on the Globe and Mail article from Oct 8th.)

https://mobilesyrup.com/2021/10/09/internal-rogers-power-struggle-replace-ceo-joe-natale/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-rogers-chairman-failed-to-oust-ceo-amid-power-struggle-with-sister/
 

 

October 14, 2021 10:50 pm  #4


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

I'm still waiting for CTV or CITY to do a major exposé on high cell phone prices. 

Last edited by Hansa (October 14, 2021 10:52 pm)

 

October 19, 2021 2:12 pm  #5


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

Apparently,  it's not over yet.  This looks like a real "Family Feud"...episode 2 next.

Rogers chairman sparring with family ahead of pivotal board meeting (outline.com)

 

October 21, 2021 6:21 pm  #6


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

 

October 21, 2021 7:20 pm  #7


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

Ouch!!! that one is gonna hurt a bit...  

 

October 21, 2021 7:48 pm  #8


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

Glen Warren wrote:

Ouch!!! that one is gonna hurt a bit...  

A year from now we should be able to get some idea if he was correct in wanting to get rid of some of the board members.

Christmas holidays ought to be interesting at the Rogers household.

     Thread Starter
 

October 21, 2021 8:16 pm  #9


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

Wonder if Mr. Natale told the family and the mayor that he was uncomfortable under the current conditions -- polite for 'he goes or I go' -- and considerable but face-saving power was subtracted.

Last edited by mike marshall (October 21, 2021 8:19 pm)

 

October 22, 2021 6:04 am  #10


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

 

October 22, 2021 9:51 am  #11


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

[url=https://i.cbc.ca/1.5995510.1618957696!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_780/apply-for-family-feud-canada-s-virtual-auditions.jpg][img]https://i.cbc.ca/1.5995510.1618957696!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_780/apply-for-family-feud-canada-s-virtual-auditions.jpg[/img][/url]
 

 

October 22, 2021 10:00 am  #12


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

Headlines we're sure to see:

"Rogers, Over & Out"

 

October 22, 2021 10:10 am  #13


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

From bundling of services, to just plain bungling...

 

 

October 22, 2021 3:10 pm  #14


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

 

October 22, 2021 4:39 pm  #15


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

I'm sure whoever wins will prioritize finding a technical solution to the issue of butt dialing. 
 

 

October 22, 2021 10:03 pm  #16


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/rogers-puts-ousted-chair-on-notice-over-plan-to-push-out-5-directors-1.1670104

as the person who holds 97 percent of the company shares, according to this, Ed Rogers may get his way in the end, this article gets into the weeds ie. the finer legal points of the whole thing, and business analysts including those at the Financial Post yesterday seem to feel he's acting very much in the way his dad would have, and that they shared a similar vision of the direction the company needs to move towards.

     Thread Starter
 

October 22, 2021 11:50 pm  #17


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

mike marshall wrote:

Wonder if Mr. Natale told the family and the mayor that he was uncomfortable under the current conditions -- polite for 'he goes or I go'

It appears to have happened. From the Star today:
>> the Globe and Mail reported Friday that Rogers CEO Joe Natale and members of his management team are prepared to depart if Edward succeeds in replacing the board members. <<

Could be months for this battle to come to a conclusion, while the Rogers-Shaw deal hangs in the balance.

 

October 23, 2021 1:38 am  #18


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

mike marshall wrote:

mike marshall wrote:

Wonder if Mr. Natale told the family and the mayor that he was uncomfortable under the current conditions -- polite for 'he goes or I go'

It appears to have happened. From the Star today:
>> the Globe and Mail reported Friday that Rogers CEO Joe Natale and members of his management team are prepared to depart if Edward succeeds in replacing the board members. <<

Could be months for this battle to come to a conclusion, while the Rogers-Shaw deal hangs in the balance.

The CRTC should not approve this deal. Not now and not ever. 

Last edited by Marsden (October 23, 2021 1:38 am)

 

October 23, 2021 2:58 pm  #19


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

https://twitter.com/MarthaLRogers/status/1451812223458975745?t=uUcFh2DDKs-YAMfJtnq0sw&s=19

Martha Rogers, Ed's sister is tweeting about this situation regularly, names the PR firm her brother is using, and is "spilling the tea" as the kids say these days, although encouraging the "shite to hit the fan" {as Mike Stafford used to say} may be more accurate. Martha says threats have been made, and that the Rogers family fight is more Game of Thrones than Succession, {she identifies with Arya and Maisie Williams} and goes on to say that her dad put her in the position at Rogers to do exactly what she's doing, to keep the company safe from rash moves.

An interesting side note, Martha Rogers is a naturopathic doctor. You can draw your own conclusions about this fact.

     Thread Starter
 

October 23, 2021 3:13 pm  #20


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

When you have a plethora of lawyers and academics discussing any issue,  there will always be convincing arguments and precedents cited;  in support of all arguments/claims put forth in a case.

Barring a capitulation from one side (unlikely),  these claims and counterclaims of who has the ultimate Board authority will be decided in a courtroom.

Last edited by Media Observer (October 23, 2021 3:14 pm)

 

October 23, 2021 3:39 pm  #21


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

https://about.rogers.com/news-ideas/a-statement-on-behalf-of-rogers-communications-inc/

Rogers PR spin on the situation.
I think Media Observer's call is correct, pun intended.

     Thread Starter
 

October 23, 2021 6:28 pm  #22


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

If it does end up in court,  it won't be in Ontario.  As part of the family's rejection of Ed's plans,  they claim that his intentions are not in compliance with British Columbia laws (4th paragraph);  where Rogers Communications Inc. is incorporated.

Rogers rejects possible meeting between ex-chair and his preferred board appointees | CP24.com

In addition to this getting worse between the siblings;  Natale is pushing back at reports of him stepping aside; claiming that "he and his magement team are commited to the company...".

Martha Rogers on Twitter tirade against brother Edward amid bitter boardroom brawl at Rogers (outline.com)

 

Last edited by Media Observer (October 23, 2021 6:39 pm)

 

October 23, 2021 10:57 pm  #23


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/we-ll-spend-every-penny-rogers-sister-warns-amid-family-war-1.1670747

Martha's tweets are major news. With the Toronto Star, (thanks Media Observer, fascinating reading all of them together), and now Bloomberg with more on the way. Expect the British newspapers and tabloids to pay closer attention to this story.

Will this "developing news story" make the lineup of topics on Newstalk 1010's Monday Moore In The Morning roundtable discussions, any bets on yes?

Would love to hear what all of the PR pundits who appear on the 1010 roundtables will have to say about this, they've been pretty blunt in stating their advice has been to tell clients to stay off social media during a crisis. I believe one of Newstalk's roundtable contributors actually works as a senior member at Navigator.

Last edited by betaylored (October 23, 2021 11:07 pm)

     Thread Starter
 

October 24, 2021 3:18 pm  #24


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

I can see the family Christmas dinner being very awkward this year.


- Not an industry person.  Just a guy with a love of Toronto radio. 
 

October 24, 2021 3:36 pm  #25


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

I highly suggest anyone following this to follow Martha Rogers on Twitter. She's back at it today.

 

October 24, 2021 5:11 pm  #26


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

RadioAaron wrote:

I highly suggest anyone following this to follow Martha Rogers on Twitter. She's back at it today.

Appreciate the suggestion.  She is prepared to go the distance.
 

 

October 24, 2021 6:03 pm  #27


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

https://twitter.com/BobPickard/status/1452393653033447435?t=GIaxX8Pmx58F_3pdpIDE7Q&s=19

Bob Pickard is also worth following on Twitter.

The "colour commentators" of stories, the PR experts not currently advising the company or individuals involved.

Is it Bob Reed that does Touchdowns and Fumbles on Fridays around 11:50am ? Seems like this story is big enough for a special designated segment tomorrow.

     Thread Starter
 

October 25, 2021 12:35 am  #28


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

     Thread Starter
 

October 25, 2021 8:06 am  #29


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

I doubt it will happen but the best outcome for Canadians would be for Rogers to breakup into different companies and especially (and this is even less likely) for the divisions themsleves to be broken up into eg several smaller cell phone companies, several smaller broadcast companies etc.

 

October 25, 2021 9:35 am  #30


Re: Rogers Family In Real Life "Succession" Battle

My serious take on this is -- no one seems to be surprised.  Ever since Ted senior died, the company has not been itself.  It been one misplay after another.  It fumbled on IPTV eventually buying tech from the States.  It has an archaic Internet technology in coaxial cable while its main competitor has fiber optics.  It gave up on a streaming service during the infancy of the business.  Cell phones seem to be the only bright spot.  Rogers with tremendous inertia keeps stumbling along and I just shake my head.

Last edited by Leslieville Bill (October 25, 2021 9:36 am)


- Not an industry person.  Just a guy with a love of Toronto radio.