Westman Communications Group

Infobox Co-operative
company_name = Westman Communications Group
company_
company_type = Consumer cooperative
foundation = 1977
location = Brandon, Manitoba
key_people = David Baxter (CEO & President)
Doug Smallwood (Chair)
Rob Bazilewich (Director, Technical Operations)
Neil Thomson (Director, Marketing & Sales)
David Thorpe (Chief Financial Officer)
area_served = Southwestern Manitoba
members =
industry =
products = Cable provider
Internet provider
2 Radio Stations
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income = $20 million
num_employees = 125
parent =
subsid = Riding Mountain Broadcasting
homepage = http://www.westmancom.com
footnotes =

Westman Communications Group (WCG) is the operating name of Westman Media Co-operative. Formerly referred to as Westman Cable, it is the main cable television company for the city of Brandon, Manitoba and the surrounding towns and villages of southwestern Manitoba. WCG was established in 1977 and originally provided cable television to the city of Brandon. In 1978, WCG expanded its coverage to include Carberry. Today, WCG provides analog and digital cable, and internet service to the following communities: Benito, Binscarth, Birch River, Birtle, Boissevain, Bowsman, Brandon, Carberry, Dauphin, Deloraine, Elkhorn, Erickson, Gilbert Plains, Gladstone, Glenboro, Grandview, Hamiota, Killarney, McCreary, Melita, Minitonas, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Rivers, Roblin, Rossburn, Russell, Sandy Lake, Shilo, Shoal Lake, Souris, St. Lazare, Ste Rose, Strathclair, Swan River, Virden.

As a consumer co-operative, WCG is one of the few cable companies where the customer earns equity (by being a Co-op), which can be cashed in if they move out of the service area. WCG is a member of the Manitoba Cooperative Association.

Governance

WCG, as cooperative, is a business owned and controlled by its members. Membership in WCG is open to anyone wishing to purchase services. Members, through a board of directors, determine how the co-operative will be run and allocation of any profits. The elected Board of Directors carries the ultimate responsibility for the policies for Westman and for giving direction to management. The current board of directors are: Doug Smallwood (Chair), Gail Janz (First Vice-Chair), Miriam McLeod (Second Vice-Chair), Theresa van Hoof (Secretary), Susan Brechmann (Treasurer), Leo Boivin, Barry Delmage, Ryan Gibson, Brian McVicar, Terri Roulette-McCartney, and Bill Zaporzan.

Recent activities

2008

On March 15, WCG was listed by Industry Canada as a participant in the upcoming auction for spectrum licenses for advanced wireless services. [Industry Canada (March 14, 2008), http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/smt-gst.nsf/en/sf08900e.html]

2007

As of May 1 2007 WCG purchased the naming rights to the Keystone Centre's main arena and the associated viewing lounge. It is a ten-year deal with an option to renew. As part of the deal, WCG will install HD televisions in the concourse and two electronic reader boards.

2003

880 ("Q-Country").

References

External links

* [http://www.westmancom.com Westman Communications Group official page]
* [http://www.manitoba.coop Manitoba Cooperative Association]
* [http://www.starfm.ca 94.7 Starfm Today's Best Music]