James “Jamie” MacLeod (1923-1996)

James "Jamie" MacLeod

Year Born: 1923

Year Died: 1996

Year of Induction: 1999

Pioneer

MacLeod, James “Jamie” (1923-1996)

Long before 1937 when he became a staff announcer at venerable Halifax station CHNS, Jamie MacLeod was determined to make broadcasting his life’s work. And, that he did. His radio career was interrupted only during WWII while he served as a Spitfire fighter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Stationed overseas, Jamie was the youngest pilot in his squadron.

After the war, he returned to CHNS and stayed until 1949 when he accepted the offer of the program director’s job at CKBW, Bridgewater. In 1974, Jamie became the station’s major shareholder, President of Acadia Broadcasting and General Manager of CKBW.

In 1976, under Jamie’s guidance, CKBW was one of the first stations in Canada to be computerized. He is also credited with being instrumental in setting-up the regional radio sales organization, Group One Atlantic. An Honorary Life Member and a former President of the Atlantic Association of Broadcasters, Jamie retired in 1989 when CKBW was sold to New Brunswick Broadcasting.

Among his community contributions, Jamie served as President of the Bridgewater Chamber of Commerce, and was a founding member and Secretary-Treasurer of the Bridgewater Development Commission. In 1967, for his many contributions to broadcasting in Nova Scotia, he received the Centennial Medal. He was a member of the CAB’s Half-Century Club.

Jamie MacLeod died on November 14, 1996. Posthumously, in 1999, Jamie was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Written by J. Lyman Potts – October, 1999