Year Born: 1912
Year Died: 2003
Year of Induction: 1986
Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame
Pelletier, Aurèle (1912-2003)
Aurèle Pelletier began his business career selling advertising in Quebec City for Le Soleil Ltèe and le Journal, which in 1928, became L’événement. Switching to radio in 1929, Aurèle joined CHRC and its phantom station CKCI. There, he worked as a clerk, operator, announcer, newscaster and copy writer. Rising through the ranks, he also held the role of Program Director, Director of Marketing, Assistant Manager, and finally, General Manager, serving in the latter post from 1969 to 1972.
As of October 1972, he became a shareholder and Vice-President of Télé Capitale Ltée. and a shareholder and member of the Board of Inter Quebec Publicity Inc.
Within the broadcasting industry, he served as Vice-President of the Canadian Association of French language Radio and Television Broadcasters (in recognition of his important contribution he was appointed a Senator of this association); as director of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and Co-Chairman of the CAB’s Quarter Century Club. He also was a member of the CAB’s Ethics Committee and President of the Radio Sales Bureau.
In the community, Aurèle was affiliated with many activities – among them – as President of the Rotary Club, a director of the Red Cross Association, a founding director of the Club Provincial de Securité routière (Prudentia), a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Professional Sales Representatives and the Publicité Club of Quebec. For his valuable service to the nation, he was awarded the Centennial Medal, and in 1973, he was honored by the Advertising and Sales Club of Quebec City for his great participation in the advancement of Advertising in Canada. In 1976, for his accomplishments and for his career, the Junior Board of Trade of Quebec City recognized him as an “outstanding role model” and named him “Man of the Year”.
In 1986, Aurèle Pelletier was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.
After a long illness, Aurèle Pelletier died in August of 2003.
Written by J. Lyman Potts – September, 1996