Randy Lennox
{{Short description|Canadian music and media executive}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Randy Lennox
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|size=100%}}
| image = Randy Lennox 2020.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = Canadian
| other_names =
| occupation = Music and Media Executive, Producer
| known_for =
}}
Randy Lennox {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC}} is a Canadian music and media executive, currently the founder and CEO of LOFT Entertainment.{{Cite web |last=Decter |first=Rosie Long |date=2024-06-03 |title=Canadian Music Week Acquired by Loft Entertainment & Oak View Group as Founder Neill Dixon Retires |url=https://ca.billboard.com/business/business-news/canadian-music-week-neill-dixon-retires |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=Billboard Canada |language=en}} He previously served as president and CEO of Universal Music Canada and president of Bell Media.
At Universal Music Canada, Lennox helped discover and develop internationally renowned Canadian artists including Drake, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes, Shania Twain and The Tragically Hip. At Bell Media, he led the studio's expansion into he led Crave’s rebranding and expansion into streaming and musical stage productions.{{Cite web |last=Friend |first=David |date=30 October 2019 |title=Bell Media bolsters Crave's streaming library under new deal with HBO |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/bell-hbo-deal-crave-1.5340676}}
Lennox has held leadership roles with Canada’s Walk of Fame, Massey & Roy Thomson Hall, and the Banff World Media Festival. In 2024, his company LOFT Entertainment acquired Canadian Music Week.
A four-time honouree on Toronto Life’s most influential list, Lennox received the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award at the 2017 Juno Awards, where he was described by U2's Bono as a "music maven turned telecommunications mogul," and "a man without whom American and Canadian music would certainly not be the same" by Gene Simmons of Kiss.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f9XKPcS7EM |title=2017 JUNO Awards' Gala Tribute to Randy Lennox |date=2017-04-17 |last=JUNO News Toronto |access-date=2025-04-13 |via=YouTube}}
In 2024, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, the first major-label executive to receive the honour.{{Cite web |title=Randy Lennox {{!}} Producer, Additional Crew, Music Department |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6559318/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}
Career
= Universal Music Canada =
While at Universal, Lennox produced Big Shiny Tunes, the #1 best selling album series in Canadian history{{Cite web |title=Randy Lennox |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6559318/bio |access-date=2015-06-08 |website=IMDb}}{{Cite web |date=20 December 2016 |title=How Big Shiny Tunes Defined CanRock |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/3dbyy8/how-big-shiny-tunes-defined-canrock |access-date=2021-02-16 |website=www.vice.com |language=en}} and Oh What a Feeling: A Vital Collection of Canadian Music, a Canadian-focused compilation to celebrate the Juno Award's 25th Anniversary and the first-ever Canadian box-set to be certified diamond for sales of over one million copies.{{Cite magazine|title=Randy Lennox To Be Honored At Canadian Music Week|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/1212929/randy-lennox-to-be-honored-at-canadian-music-week|access-date=2019-08-15|magazine=Billboard}}
In 1998, Universal Music Canada merged with Polygram Canada and Lennox was appointed as the company's president.{{Cite news |last=LeBlanc |first=Larry |date=29 Mar 1997 |title=Billboard Magazine 29 Mar 1997 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Q4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54}}{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Neil |date=21 December 1998 |title=A Major Merger Shakes Up the World of Rock |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/21/arts/a-major-merger-shakes-up-the-world-of-rock.html |work=The New York Times}}{{Citation |title=2017 JUNO Awards' Gala Tribute to Randy Lennox |date=2017-04-17 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f9XKPcS7EM |access-date=2018-01-18}} In 2001, he became president and CEO.{{cite news |last=Dickie |first=Mary |date=1 February 2008 |title=Reinventing the music biz: Universal Music Canada's Randy Lennox |url=http://strategyonline.ca/2008/02/01/biz-20080201/ |access-date=22 November 2014 |work=Strategy}}{{Cite news |last=LeBlanc |first=Larry |date=29 Dec 2001 |title=Billboard 29 Dec 2001 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sBIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50}} Under Lennox, Universal Music Canada developed many Canadian artists like Justin Bieber, Drake, Sam Roberts, Alessia Cara, The Tenors, The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes, Nelly Furtado, The Tragically Hip, Shania Twain, Diana Krall, and Bryan Adams.{{Cite news|url=http://torontolife.com/city/business/toronto-50-most-influential-2015-randy-lennox/|title=Toronto's 50 Most Influential People: Randy Lennox {{!}} Toronto Life|date=2015-11-19|work=Toronto Life|access-date=2017-07-06|language=en-US}}
While Lennox was CEO, Universal Music Canada was named Music Company of the Year for 16 consecutive years at Canadian Music Week.{{Cite web |title=Past Winners {{!}} Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards |url=http://cmw.net/awards/music-broadcast-industry-awards/past-winners/ |access-date=2015-06-08 |website=cmw.net}}
= Bell Media =
In 2015, Lennox joined Bell Media as President of Broadcasting with a five-year mandate to produce and secure exclusive rights to premium international content.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Katie |date=13 June 2016 |title=Randy Lennox makes his mark at Bell Media |url=http://playbackonline.ca/2016/06/13/randy-lennox-makes-his-mark-at-bell-media/ |access-date=2017-03-15}}{{Cite web |title=Randy Lennox, Bell's 'Content Guru' |url=http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/01/05/randy-lennox-bells-content-guru |access-date=2017-02-02 |publisher=FYIMusicNews}}{{Cite web |date=25 August 2015 |title=Bell Media hires former Universal Music Canada CEO Randy Lennox to head entertainment unit |url=https://financialpost.com/technology/bell-media-hires-former-universal-music-canada-ceo-randy-lennox-to-head-entertainment-unit |access-date=9 May 2024 |website=Financial Post}} This included musicals with Bat Out of Hell, a rock opera based on the Meat Loaf album that ran in London, Toronto and New York,{{Cite web |title=Bat Out of Hell - The Musical |url=https://www.show-score.com/open-graph/show/4348 |access-date=2021-02-16 |website=www.show-score.com}} a reality television competition series with The Launch, the TV adaptation of web-comedy Letterkenny, as well as numerous music-focused documentaries (see documentary credits).
Lennox also signed partnerships with iHeartMedia and the Just For Laughs comedy festival,{{Cite news |title=Bell Media among group acquiring Just For Laughs production company |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4261026/bell-media-among-group-acquiring-just-for-laughs-production-company/ |access-date=2018-10-10 |work=Global News |language=en}} Lennox bolstered Bell Media's library with international partners including Lionsgate, Pinewood Studios, Starz,{{Cite news |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=2018-01-23 |title=Starz Expands Into Canada With Bell Media Pact |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/starz-canada-bell-media-deal-expansion-1202673392/ |access-date=2018-10-10 |work=Variety |language=en-US}} Vice Media,{{Cite news |title=Bell Media signs licensing deal with Vice, hoping to draw new subscribers |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-bell-media-signs-licensing-deal-with-vice-months-after-roger-cut-ties/ |access-date=2019-12-15}} TIFF, Netflix,{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Katie |date=16 November 2015 |title=Discovery's Frontier pushes int'l boundaries with Netflix |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2015/11/16/discoverys-frontier-pushes-intl-boundaries-with-netflix/ |access-date=2021-02-16}} BNN Bloomberg,{{Cite news |title=Bloomberg, Bell Media strike deal to rebrand BNN |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bloomberg-bell-media-strike-deal-to-rebrand-bnn/article37523074/ |access-date=2018-10-10}} Jeffrey Katzenberg,{{Cite web |date=5 March 2020 |title=Quibi Acquires Daily News, Sport Shows for Canadian Service |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/quibi-acquires-daily-news-sport-shows-canadian-service-1282546 |access-date=2020-03-05 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}} HBO{{Cite web |last=Wilner |first=Norman |date=2018-11-01 |title=Canadians can finally stream new HBO shows without a cable subscription |url=https://nowtoronto.com/api/content/942d19d0-dde6-11e8-bde2-120e7ad5cf50/ |access-date=2019-12-15 |website=NOW Magazine |language=en-us}} and HBO Max.{{Cite news |title=Bell Media signs deal with HBO Max to strengthen Crave's streaming library |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-bell-media-signs-deal-with-hbo-max-to-strengthen-craves-streaming/ |access-date=2019-11-03}} He also formed partnerships with internet radio broadcaster iHeartMedia and the Just For Laughs comedy festival.
In 2017, Lennox was appointed overall president of Bell Media{{cite web|title=Bell Media juggling executives as president leaves for job at NFL|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-media-head-leaves-for-job-at-nfl/article34152044/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227235802/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-media-head-leaves-for-job-at-nfl/article34152044/|archive-date=27 February 2017|access-date=28 February 2017|website=The Globe and Mail}} and took responsibility for "strategy and operations for conventional, pay, and specialty television; radio; digital media; out-of-home advertising; and special projects."{{Cite web|agency=Reuters|date=2017-02-28|title=BCE names Randy Lennox new President of Bell Media |website=BNN Bloomberg|url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/bce-names-lennox-new-president-of-bell-media-1.682558|access-date=2021-02-16}}
In 2018, Lennox rebranded and relaunched CraveTV service as a standalone streaming platform simply titled Crave, HBO Max's first international launch partner. In interviews Lennox has described a responsibility to meet customer expectations,{{Cite news |date=2018-11-05 |title=Bell doubles down on Crave with soft rebrand, premium service that includes current HBO content |url=https://business.financialpost.com/telecom/media/bell-doubles-down-on-crave-with-soft-rebrand-premium-service-that-includes-current-hbo-content |access-date=2018-11-20 |work=Financial Post |language=en-US}} and his plan to attract new subscribers with exclusive world-class original content by producing it in house and patterning internationally.{{Cite web |last=McLeod |first=James |title=Bell bringing HBO Max streaming service content to Canada after signing long-term deal {{!}} The Guardian |url=http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/business/perspectives-on-business/bell-bringing-hbo-max-streaming-service-content-to-canada-after-signing-long-term-deal-370151/ |access-date=2019-11-04 |website=www.theguardian.pe.ca |language=en}} The service would grow to nearly 3 million subscribers over the next two years.
In 2019 he led Bell Media's majority acquisition and subsequent expansion of Toronto's Pinewood Studios. This deal created an additional 200,000-square feet worth of production space for Pinewood{{Cite web |title=Pinewood Toronto Studios Begins Construction on Multi-Stage Expansion |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/pinewood-toronto-studios-begins-construction-on-multi-stage-expansion-897244029.html |access-date=2021-02-16 |website=www.newswire.ca |language=en}} and Toronto's $2 billion film and television industry.{{Cite news |title=Klingons in Toronto? Get set for the Pinewood Studios tour {{!}} The Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2018/06/07/ctv-unveils-their-fall-programming-slate-for-2018.html |access-date=2018-10-10 |work=thestar.com |language=en}}
In a pair of 2021 interviews with Playback Magazine{{Cite web |last=Pinto |first=Jordan |date=28 June 2021 |title=Randy Lennox lines up next gig; launches new production shingle |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2021/06/28/randy-lennox-lines-up-next-gig-launches-new-production-shingle/ |access-date=2021-09-27}} and FYI Music News,{{Cite web |date=2021-06-27 |title=Randy Lennox Aspires To 'Elevate' |url=https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2021/06/27/randy-lennox-aspires-elevate |access-date=2021-09-27 |website=FYIMusicNews |language=en}} Lennox reflected on his tenure at Bell media and revealed that his love for documentary and TV productions had grown to match his love for music and he would be continuing to produce all three working independently.
= LOFT Entertainment =
In 2023, Lennox co-founded LOFT Entertainment Inc. a Music Management and Television Content Company to produce documentaries, films, TV shows, and music.
In 2024, in partnership with Denver-based sports entertainment venue developer Oak View Group, Lennox acquired Canadian Music Week in order to "expand programming, enhance venues and offer unique engagement opportunities for artists and fans."{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Lisa |date=2024-06-04 |title=OVG and Loft Entertainment acquire Canadian Music Week |url=https://www.iq-mag.net/2024/06/ovg-and-loft-entertainment-acquire-canadian-music-week/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=IQ Magazine |language=en-GB}}
Charitable fundraising
Throughout his career, Lennox repeatedly created deals as fundraisers for charitable organizations:
Lennox is also a director of the Smilezone Foundation, an organization that donates play zones to hospitals and paediatric care facilities, and sits on the board of CARAS MusiCounts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/7107432-scarborough-and-rouge-hospital-unveils-smilezones-/|title=Scarborough and Rouge Hospital unveils 'Smilezones'|date=2017-02-09|work=InsideToronto.com|access-date=2017-07-06|language=en-CA}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicounts.ca/2017/02/13/musicounts-celebrates-20th-anniversary/|title=MusiCounts Celebrates 20th Anniversary|date=2017-02-13|website=MusiCounts|access-date=2017-07-06}}
Credits and awards
To date, as a producer, Lennox has won eight Canadian Screen Awards, two Juno Awards, and an Emmy Award:
= Albums and singles =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Partners !Notes |
| 1996
|Canadian Record Labels, Artists & Juno Awards |The first-ever Canadian box-set to be certified diamond for sales of over one million copies. |
| 1996-2009
|Canadian Artists |
| 2010
|Bob Ezrin and Gary Slaight |Raised over $2m for 2010 Haiti earthquake as part of supergroup and won a Juno Award for "Single of the Year" for producing Wavin' Flag{{Cite web |title=2011 JUNO Award Winners - The JUNO Awards |url=http://junoawards.ca/2011/03/2011-juno-award-winners/ |access-date=2015-06-11}} |