Ted Rogers (1933-2008), Canadian Business ‘King of Telecom’ Remembered
It all started with a $100,000 inheritance that Ted Rogers received back in the early 1960′s. What would you do with a $100,000 inheritance? Chances are you wouldn’t gamble with it, or buy something that almost nobody was using or even heard of. But that’s exactly what Ted Rogers did back in 1961 when he plunked down his entire inheritance to buy a little known Toronto radio station called CHFI which was broadcasting on a new radio spectrum called ‘FM’ which few Canadians even had radios capable of listening to. In many ways, that first big business bet and transaction typified what Ted Rogers was all about, a risk taker who never wavered from his vision through good times and bad.
From one FM radio station, Ted Rogers eventually built an unrivaled media empire that includes 52 radio stations, 70 publications, 4 television networks, Canada’s only major league baseball franchise, ownership of Canada’s largest wireless and cable operation and a personal net worth in excess of $7 billion. When Ted Rogers passed away earlier this week from congestive heart failure at 75, he left behind an undeniable business legacy that clearly places him among Canada’s greatest achievers, businessmen and entrepreneurs.
Here is a brief roundup of quotes about Ted Rogers:
Leonard Asper, CEO of Canwest Global Communications Corp.
“Ted Rogers will be remembered by us all not only as a competitor who played fairly but more importantly as a reliable business partner and personal friend. He was a great collaborator who helped shape and build the Canadian media landscape. Through his visionary leadership, he first pioneered the build out of the Canadian cable industry and almost single-handedly positioned Rogers as a leader in the wireless and broadband age. While his place in history is secure, the future will demonstrate even more the true impact of his life’s work. His business legacy will perhaps only be surpassed by his philanthropic work that will benefit Canadians forever.”
Pierre Karl Peladeau, CEO of Quebecor Inc.
“Today we honour the memory of a man who was not only a leader in telecommunications but also one of the greatest, if not the greatest, entrepreneur that Canada has known. Coming from a family of visionaries who also made their mark in the history of Canadian communications, Ted Rogers had a vibrant sense of entrepreneurship. He never feared forging ahead and he undertook enormous risks in a career crowned with great success. This is how he built one of the strongest businesses in the country. Ted Rogers was an exceptional human being and a great gentleman … The death of Ted Rogers is a loss for all Canadians.”
Ted Rogers (1933-2008)
“I don’t know quite how to put this: I have been very lucky in so many ways, but I am also pretty ordinary. I was never really good at school, I pushed my way through but I was certainly no scholar. I enjoy making speeches, but I don’t use long words because I can’t pronouce them properly and I don’t know what they mean. So it’s pretty hard to be arrogant with these challenges.”
“If you try to be No. 1 and fail, you’ll be probably be No. 2. But if you try to be No. 2, you might end up No. 10.”
When Ted was asked if he felt there is still opportunity for young people to achieve as he has?
He replied, “Dick, there are always lots of opportunities if you persevere and aren’t afraid to take chances. But the important thing is that you have to work very hard and take risks.“
To learn more about Ted Rogers and his legacy, you should visit tedrogerstribute.com.
Related News:
Ted Rogers Cited as ‘Canadian Achiever’
Ted Rogers quotes
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