Pierre Péladeau
Encyclopedia
Pierre Péladeau, was a French-Canadian businessman. He was the founder of Quebecor
Inc., a Canadian media company centered in the province of Quebec
.
) in 1925. He completed a degree in philosophy from the Université de Montréal
, and in 1950 completed a law degree
at McGill University
. His first purchase was a struggling community paper Le Journal de Rosemont, which he bought with a $1,500 loan from his mother. Péladeau later went on to pursue bigger and better companies through acquisition.
One notable event, and possibly the one responsible for the initial success of the company, and one to which the company owes its existence to today, is the smart business practice that Quebecor seized in the late 1960s. In the late sixties while the major local area French language newspaper's employees were on strike, Péladeau seized the opportunity and created his own newspaper Le Journal de Montreal
. This new tabloid format publication was an instant success and continued to hold top spot until the mid 90s. A few years after the initial Journal he founded the Journal de Quebec and the defunct experiment gone wrong Philadelphia Journal
. His company, Quebecor, later went to acquire Sun Media
chain, among other newspaper and magazine properties. Today Quebecor is the number one commercial printing company in the world.
Péladeau is the father of the president and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor Inc., Pierre Karl Péladeau
. His other son Érik Péladeau
is the former vice-chairman of Quebecor Inc., among other positions. He is also the father of Anne-Marie Péladeau
as well as Isabelle Péladeau, Simon-Pierre Péladeau, Esther Péladeau and Jean Péladeau.
In 1987, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
. In 1989, he was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec
.
Quebecor
Quebecor Inc. is a communications company based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It was founded by Pierre Péladeau, and remains run by his family. Quebecor Inc. owns 55% of Quebecor Media Inc...
Inc., a Canadian media company centered in the province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
Biography
Péladeau was born in Outremont, Quebec (now part of the city of MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
) in 1925. He completed a degree in philosophy from the Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
, and in 1950 completed a law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
. His first purchase was a struggling community paper Le Journal de Rosemont, which he bought with a $1,500 loan from his mother. Péladeau later went on to pursue bigger and better companies through acquisition.
One notable event, and possibly the one responsible for the initial success of the company, and one to which the company owes its existence to today, is the smart business practice that Quebecor seized in the late 1960s. In the late sixties while the major local area French language newspaper's employees were on strike, Péladeau seized the opportunity and created his own newspaper Le Journal de Montreal
Le Journal de Montréal
Le Journal de Montréal is a daily tabloid newspaper published in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and is the largest-circulation French-language newspaper in North America. Established by Pierre Péladeau in 1964, it is owned by the Sun Media division of Quebecor Media. It is also Canada's largest tabloid...
. This new tabloid format publication was an instant success and continued to hold top spot until the mid 90s. A few years after the initial Journal he founded the Journal de Quebec and the defunct experiment gone wrong Philadelphia Journal
Philadelphia Journal
The Philadelphia Journal was a tabloid published from December 5, 1977 until December 15, 1981; barely a month after the Journal's demise, the Philadelphia Bulletin also ceased publication, leaving the city with only one newspaper owner and two titles—The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia...
. His company, Quebecor, later went to acquire Sun Media
Sun Media
Sun Media Corporation is the owner of several widely read tabloid and broadsheet newspapers in Canada and the 49 percent owner of Sun News Network...
chain, among other newspaper and magazine properties. Today Quebecor is the number one commercial printing company in the world.
Péladeau is the father of the president and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor Inc., Pierre Karl Péladeau
Pierre Karl Péladeau
Pierre Karl Péladeau is President and CEO of Quebecor Inc., Quebecor Media Inc. and Sun Media Corporation. He was educated in Montreal and Paris. He holds a degree in philosophy from Université du Québec à Montréal and a law degree from Université de Montréal....
. His other son Érik Péladeau
Erik Péladeau
Erik Péladeau is the son of Canadian publisher Pierre Péladeau, and current vice-president of Quebecor. In 1991 his father placed him at the head of Quebecor Communications, the newspaper and communication division of Quebecor. In 1999 he became CEO of that division...
is the former vice-chairman of Quebecor Inc., among other positions. He is also the father of Anne-Marie Péladeau
Anne-Marie Péladeau
Anne-Marie Péladeau is the daughter of Canadian businessman Pierre Péladeau, the founder of Quebecor, a diversified company with interests in printing and publishing and based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada....
as well as Isabelle Péladeau, Simon-Pierre Péladeau, Esther Péladeau and Jean Péladeau.
In 1987, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. In 1989, he was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
.