Somerset Entertainment
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| Somerset Entertainment | |
 |
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| Type | Public (TSX: SOM.UN) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Key people | Andy Burgess, Gordon Gibson |
| Industry | Music |
| Products | Specialty Music |
| Revenue | $76.15 million CAN ( 13.2% FY 2005) |
| Employees | Unknown |
| Website | www.somersetent.com |
[edit] About Somerset
Somerset Entertainment is a producer and distributor of specialty music sold through non-traditional retailers using interactive displays. Established in 1994, Somerset produces and distributes concept-based music targeted at consumers over the age of 30. Its 19 diverse product lines represent a variety of music genres, including world, relaxation, jazz, classical, children’s and hit compilations.
Originally catering to independent gift stores, Somerset has expanded its customer base to include mass merchants and specialty chain customers. Somerset’s extensive network of over 28,000 interactive displays in 18,500 locations, includes 9,500 mass merchants, 2,500 specialty chains and 6,500 independent gift stores in more than 20 countries.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Somerset employs approximately 150 people at offices in Toronto, Ontario (Canada); Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and Minneapolis, Minnesota (U.S.A.); and Essex, England (UK).
Somerset completed its initial public offering on March 18, 2005. Units of the Fund are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange ('TSE') under the symbol SOM.UN.
[edit] Trustees & Officers
Andy Burgess Andy Burgess is a co-founder of Somerset Entertainment and has served as President since Somerset’s inception in 1994. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Burgess acted as Director of General Merchandise for Loblaws of Toronto. His experience also includes serving as Vice President, Strategic Planning for Joniff Corporation and as a business analyst with McKinsey and Company. Mr. Burgess received a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours from Princeton University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from INSEAD, Fontainebleau.
Gordon Gibson Gordon Gibson is a co-founder of Somerset and has served as Producer since Somerset’s inception in 1994. From 1986 to 1994, Mr. Gibson worked with his father Dan Gibson at Dan Gibson Productions Ltd., serving as Vice President and Producer from 1989 to 1994. Mr. Gibson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1987.
William E. Ardell William E. Ardell was a senior executive with Southam Inc. from 1982 to 1996. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Southam from 1992 to 1996 and from 1982 to 1991 he held positions as President and Chief Executive Officer of Southam Business Communications and Coles Bookstores Ltd., both subsidiaries of Southam. Mr. Ardell currently serves as a director of Canadian Public Storage Properties and is a Vice Chairman of Humber College. He is the past Chairman of Nelvana International Limited and Apollo Gas Inc. and has also served as a director of numerous companies including Southam Inc., Nelvana Limited and Chapters Inc. Mr. Ardell received his Commerce degree from Sir George Williams University and is a graduate of Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program.
Robert J. Steacy Robert J. Steacy retired in May 2005 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Torstar Corporation, where he served as the senior financial officer for 16 years. He currently serves as Director of Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., Domtar Inc., and of the University of Toronto Press. He is also a Trustee of Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund and Somerset Entertainment Income Fund. Mr. Steacy serves on the Audit Committees for all five organization and serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee for Somerset Entertainment Income Fund. Mr Steacy graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1973 and became a Chartered Accountant in 1976.
W. Judson Martin Mr. W. Judson Martin has been Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. since March 2003 and was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from May 1999 to November 2002. Mr. Martin has been a member of the Board of Directors of Motion Picture Distribution Inc. and an Executive Officer of Movie Distribution Income Fund and Movie Distribution Holding Trust since their launch in October 2003, and also served as Chief Financial Officer until September 2004. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Film Centre. From November 2002 until January 2003, Mr. Martin was President and Chief Executive Officer of TGS North American REIT. From July 1995 to September 1997, Mr. Martin was Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of MDC Communications Corporation. From October 1982 to July 1995, Mr. Martin was employed by certain subsidiaries of Brascan Corporation, including Trizec Corporation Ltd. as Vice President and Treasurer, Brookfield Development Corporation as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Trilon Securities Corporation as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Robert Meier Robert Meier has served as Chief Financial Officer of Somerset since 2001. From 1997 to 2001, he was Vice-President of Finance and Operations of The Indeka Group, a marketer and distributor of branded footwear and accessories. Between 1994 and September 1997, Mr. Meier was Vice-President of Finance for Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd. He was the Controller for Neon Products Ltd., a Division of Jim Pattison Industries from August 1991 to September 1994 and the Corporate Controller for the Jim Pattison Sign Group from January 1989 to August 1991. Mr. Meier is a chartered accountant and holds an Honours degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario.
Kevin M. White Kevin M. White has served as President of Somerset U.S. since December 1998. Mr. White has over 30 years of sales and marketing experience including executive positions with Enesco Corporation, Del Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Oral-B Laboratories Inc. He attended Bowling Green State University.
Ed Bonner Ed Bonner has served as Vice-President of Marketing of Somerset since 1998. He previously served as Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble Inc. in Toronto. Mr. Bonner holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of British Columbia.
