BCE Implements New Structure Following Strategic Acquisitions - "Focus is on connectivity, content and commerce"
- "Organization structured around four main businesses"
- "New Ventures group created to manage all other investments"
MONTREAL, Oct. 25 -- BCE Inc. outlined today a corporate structure
to bring greater focus to the company and deliver superior execution of its
strategy.
"This has been a pivotal year for BCE and we are now well-positioned to
be Canada's premier Internet company focused on connectivity, content and
commerce," said Jean C. Monty, Chairman and CEO of BCE.
"The recent strong performance of Bell Canada is the result of the
strategy implemented over the past two years, starting with the creation of
Bell Nexxia, Canada's first national IP (Internet Protocol) network, to the
privatization of Bell Mobility, and our increased national presence through
Aliant, Bell Intrigna and MTS. What differentiates us in this industry is our
proven operating capability and our proven ability to deliver in the new
Internet Economy."
"With the addition of our recent initiatives which include the
acquisition of Teleglobe and the creation of a new media company, the time is
right for BCE to implement a corporate structure that will bring focus to our
operations and further focus management on the execution of our Internet
strategy."
Effective December 1st, BCE will center its activities around four
operating businesses: Bell Canada (Canadian connectivity), Teleglobe (global
connectivity), its new media company (content) and BCE Emergis (commerce). All
other investments will be combined in a new group called BCE Ventures.
BCE Ventures will include BCE's investments in: Bell Canada International
(74%), Telesat Canada (100%), CGI (46%), BCE Capital (100%), Bimcor (100%),
Excel Communications and Look Communications (100% and 25% respectively,
acquired through the purchase of Teleglobe).
Bill Anderson, currently Chief Financial Officer of BCE, will become
President of the new unit. Mr. Anderson will continue to act as BCE's Chief
Financial Officer until the appointment of his replacement.
"The assets to be held by BCE Ventures represent investments in companies
which are leaders in their field or which have solid records of success," said
Mr. Anderson. "We believe there are opportunities to maximize the value of
these investments either by continuing their growth and operating success, by
expanding their scale or scope through mergers and alliances, or by outright
disposition. In all circumstances, the objective will be to enhance
shareholder value."
Mr. Monty also announced that Michael Sabia who has been Executive Vice
President of BCE will become President. In addition to his responsibilities at
Bell Canada where he is Vice-Chair Corporate, Mr. Sabia will work with Mr.
Monty in setting the overall direction of the Company. Mr. Sabia will oversee
the execution of BCE's strategic and operating plans, especially the growing
interdependence among the company's units.
Bell Canada will continue to focus on being Canada's leading
communications company offering its customers integrated information,
communications and entertainment services. John Sheridan, formerly Vice-Chair
Markets, is appointed President of Bell Canada, reporting to Mr. Monty,
Chairman and CEO. Mr. Sheridan will continue to be responsible for the
company's customer-facing groups. Bell Canada includes operations in Ontario
and Quebec, Bell Nexxia, Bell Mobility, Bell ActiMedia and the company's
interests in Aliant, MTS and other regional telephone companies. Following the
creation of the new media company, Mr. Sheridan will also oversee the
operations of Bell ExpressVu.
Under the leadership of Terry Jarman, President and CEO, Teleglobe will
continue its transformation to build and operate one of the world's most
advanced broadband IP networks together with a globally distributed set of
Internet data centers.
Under the leadership of Ivan Fecan, President and CEO, BCE's new media
company will bring together Canada's leading brands in Internet, print and
broadcast - Sympatico, The Globe and Mail and CTV (subject to CRTC approval).
The new company will focus on developing uniquely Canadian content for new and
traditional media, thus strengthening BCE's ability to offer a broad range of
content and connectivity services to our customers.
BCE Emergis, led by Vice-Chairman and CEO Brian Edwards, will continue to
develop into North America's leading e-commerce solutions provider. BCE
Emergis will be an important source of e-commerce solutions for BCE's
connectivity customers.
Mr. Monty concluded: "The changes we are announcing today will focus all
our energies on the execution of our plans and contribute to our continued
success in the marketplace."
BCE is Canada's largest communications company. Through its operations in
communications services, BCE provides residence and business customers in
Canada with wireline and wireless communications products and applications,
satellite communications and direct-to-home television services, systems
integration expertise, electronic commerce solutions, Internet access and high-
speed data services, and directories. Abroad, through Bell Canada
International, BCE provides communications services to millions of customers
mostly from Latin America. BCE also has an extensive international presence
through Teleglobe, an international telecommunications carrier. BCE shares are
listed in Canada, the United States and Europe.
_________________________________________
I ________________________________________I
I I I I
I I I - Chairman & CEO:Jean Monty
I I I I
I-I Bell I - President: John SheridanI
I I Canada I I
I I I - Vice Chair, Corporate: I
I I I Michael Sabia I
I I_______________________________________I
I ________________________________________
I I I - Chairman: Jean Monty I
I-I Teleglobe I - President & CEO: I
I I I Terry Jarman I
I I_______________________________________I
I-I
I-----------------------I I I ________________________________________
I BCE -Chairman & I I I I I
I Inc. CEO: Jean Monty I---I I I Media I - Chairman: Jean Monty I
I -President: I I I-I Co. I - President I
I Michael Sabia I I I I & CEO: Ivan Fecan I
I-----------------------I I I I________________________________________
I I _______________________________________I
I I I I
I I I BCE I - Chairman: Wes Scott I
I I-I Emergis I - Vice-Chairman & CEO: I
I I I Brian Edwards I
I I I_______________________________________I
I I_________________________________________I
I
I _________________________________________
I I ________________________________________I
I I I BCE I I
I-I-I Ventures I - President: Bill AndersonI
I I___________I___________________________I
I_________________________________________I
As of December 1, 2000
-30-
For further information: Don Doucette Communications, (514) 786-3924,
Web site: www.bce.ca |
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