Julie Adam

Vice President Programming Rogers & Program Director CHFI-FM Toronto

Erin Davis will present the award to this year’s recipient – Canada’s first woman Vice-President of Programming Julie Adam. The award, handed out to top women in Canadian broadcasting, has been presented in the past to trailblazers Denise Donlon, Erin Davis, Ky Joseph, Jane Hawtin and Marilyn Denis and Rosalie Trombley, who was the inspiration for the award.

Julie Adam, Recipient of The Rosalie Award:

Newly appointed Vice President of Programming for Rogers, Julie Adam has been a Program Director in Canada’s largest market (Toronto) for the past 12 years. In 1999, Julie’s first Program Director position was at KiSS 92.5; in the station’s first year on the air, she propelled it to #1 with more listeners per week than any other Toronto station. Later, as Program Director for Canada’s #1 Adult Contemporary station 98.1 CHFI, Julie built the profile of the station, perfected its sound and developed major personalities like Erin Davis and Mike Cooper. Her ability to spot talent—and develop that talent—is directly responsible for giving many successful Canadian on-air morning personalities their first crack at this important on-air shift.

Adam’s career has grown in this industry from an assistant Music Director to Program Director, to Vice President of Programming for Rogers in 2010. Currently, she oversees the programming of 54 radio stations while maintaining her position as Program Director of 98.1 CHFI.

Adam’s stations always rate well but her amazing streak of leading CHFI to the # 1 position (Audience Share All Persons 12+) in Canada’s biggest market in every single PPM survey (since PPMs introduction 18 months ago) is a ratings record and achievement not equaled by any other station or Program Director in the market.

Julie has been the driving force in securing the music industry’s biggest stars to visit the studios of 98.1 CHFI. Some of these huge names include: Michael Bublé, Rick Springfield, Phil Collins, Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Leona Lewis, Train and Lady Antebellum. Most of these “Up Close & Personal” artist events were held in the CHFI Theatre, where loyal listeners were invited to win their way. Some of these events were also webcast live on chfi.com, allowing listeners who didn’t win to still be a part of the winning experience. The “Up Close and Personal” events were done in conjunction with Canadian record labels and their representatives with whom Julie has developed a rock-solid relationship over the past decade.

One of the promotional events that Julie has nurtured is Shelter from the Storm. This cause is especially near and dear to her heart because she was one of the people who took this from a seedling of an idea to an incredibly successful campaign, helping to raise millions of dollars for the Canadian Women’s Foundation. Julie helped grow the Radiothon from a local event to a national event involving radio stations in Ottawa, Calgary, Winnipeg, Kitchener, Sudbury and Lethbridge. She also enlisted the help of CityTV in 2010 for a special makeover program, where survivors of domestic violence were showcased and given a fresh start at their new life.

To quote Steve Herman of Live Nation, “In the world of program directors, Julie Adam is a star.”