Bell Media Mourns the Death of Beloved CTV Ottawa Broadcasting Icon Max Keeping

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OTTAWA, Oct. 1, 2015 /CNW/ - Bell Media and CTV News extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of former Vice-President of News and legendary CTV Ottawa Anchor Max Keeping. Keeping passed away today at age 73 in Ottawa after a lengthy battle with cancer.

"Max left an indelible mark on CTV Ottawa and the community he tirelessly served. His extraordinary contributions were driven by a selfless desire to help improve the lives of others. His loss is felt by all of us at CTV and Bell Media," said Richard Gray, Vice-President and General Manager, Radio and TV, Ottawa and Pembroke, Bell Media. "Following his retirement in 2010, Max stayed on as the station's community ambassador until 2012 – a fitting role as he never stopped giving back. Max was a mentor and friend to many and always took time to help others. He will be sorely missed."

Born in Grand Bank, N.L., Keeping began his 37-year career as an anchor with CJOH in 1972, building his reputation through the years as one of the most trustworthy figures in the local news industry. A passionate community advocate and philanthropist, Keeping's tireless work on behalf of charities, service groups, neighbourhoods and schools helped raise more than $100 million for charities during his tenure with CTV Ottawa. In 1995 he founded The Max Keeping Foundation, assisting local Ottawa children, youth, and their families meet emotional, physical, mental, and emergency needs for which no other funding is available.

Keeping became a member of the Order of Canada in 1991, and the Order of Ontario in 2007. A working journalist for 52 years, Keeping was a member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame.

About Bell Media
With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada's #1 television network; 34 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada's most-watched specialty channels in English and French; and four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran. Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 106 licensed radio stations in 54 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns Astral Out of Home, one of Canada's most dynamic and innovative out-of-home advertising companies with a network of more than 10,500 advertising faces in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, and Nova Scotia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites; delivers TV Everywhere with premium subscription on-demand streaming service CraveTV, as well as its innovative GO video streaming services including CTV GO, TMN GO, and TSN GO; holds an equity stake in digital startup Hubub; is partners in Cirque du Soleil Media, a joint venture with Cirque du Soleil; and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.

SOURCE Bell Media

Patricia Garcia, Bell Media, 416.384.2645 or [email protected]; Renee Dupuis, Bell Media, 416.384.3154 or [email protected]