M&I Broadcast Services secures Cogeco Media as its first ever North American customer

Cogeco and M&I Partnership

We are thrilled to share M&I Broadcast Services‘ OmniPlayer solution has now expanded into North America. 

Cogeco Media had decided to partner with M&I and adopt their state-of-the-art OmniPlayer system for their radio automation needs. This game-changing move marks a significant step for both Cogeco and M&I, as it not only enhances Cogeco’s working capabilities, but also allows M&I to expand its reach into new geographies. 

Cogeco chooses M&I’s cutting edge platform for a new radio era 

Cogeco Media, a prominent radio network based in Quebec, had been using their previous solution for over a decade. However, recognizing the need for a more advanced, flexible, and reliable solution, they decided it was time for a change. Enter M&I’s OmniPlayer – a cutting-edge platform that caters to the evolving demands of the radio industry. 

For Cogeco, OmniPlayer represents a fresh start, enabling them to revolutionize their ways of working. This new system brings a host of benefits, including state-of-the-art features, enhanced flexibility, and unmatched reliability. With OmniPlayer, Cogeco can streamline operations, improve efficiency, and deliver an exceptional listening experience to their audience. 

“For our media operations to be as efficient and flexible as possible and to have interoperability of personnel between sites, it was crucial for us to choose one solution and system that serves our mission critical processes when it comes to radio broadcast and that would smoothly integrate to our digital platforms,” says Pascal Gélinas, General Manager of Technology at Cogeco Media. “With OmniPlayer I am convinced we have made a giant leap forward to make this happen and with its capabilities OmniPlayer makes us fit for the future.” 

M&I’s ambition and Aspire’s resources combine to drive global expansion  

This collaboration is a testament to Aspire’s resources paving the way for the expansion of our brands. 

As a Dutch-based company, expanding M&I’s presence into the North American market proves that the team is capable of undertaking large-scale projects overseas. This breakthrough not only paves the way for traction in the North American market but also opens doors in other regions such as Asia and the Middle East. 

M&I’s Omniplayer platform has a market share of over 90% in The Netherlands. While this cutting-edge solution has been exclusive only to European markets, this step in securing Cogeco as a client now signals international expansion is very viable. 

“OmniPlayer has proven its worth and has prospered for many years in Europe, specifically in The Netherlands. After being integrated into Aspire’s portfolio, we became highly motivated to spread OmniPlayer towards other territories,” says Raymond Lamphen, Managing Director of M&I. “I am extremely proud that we earned the trust of Cogeco Media and gained our first customer outside of Europe. It was an extensive process, and I am looking forward to the deployment and operations.” 

“We are excited to welcome Cogeco as a new customer, a prominent leader in the communications and media space,” said Michael Assi, CEO of Aspire Software “Aspire Software’s presence played a pivotal role in bolstering confidence, not only in M&I’s expansion strategy but also in earning Cogeco’s trust. With Aspire’s Montreal headquarters, there was a tangible sense of proximity and reassurance for Cogeco, as they knew they would receive support and service from a local team based in Montreal.” 

Throughout the process, M&I’s Canadian partner and dealer, SonoTechnique, played a pivotal role in building the bridge between M&I and Cogeco, particularly at the outset. Ultimately, it was M&I’s dedicated team in The Netherlands that solidified the partnership, displaying the entrepreneurial spirit that embodies Aspire-operated companies. 

What’s next? 

This monumental collaboration between Cogeco Media and M&I sets the stage for innovation, growth, and improved efficiency. Aspire Software is honoured to be a part of this journey, empowering businesses to embrace cutting-edge technology and achieve remarkable success in the ever-evolving world of radio automation. Together, we will forge a path towards a brighter, more dynamic future. We look forward to supporting M&I in any way we can as The Netherlands’ leading radio automation solution grows its presence worldwide.  

About Cogeco Media 

Cogeco Media, a subsidiary of Cogeco inc., is one of the largest radio networks in Quebec. Leaders in their market, Cogeco Media’s stations reach more than 5 million listeners each week. 

About M&I Broadcast Services  

M&I Broadcast Services makes appealing, mission-critical software for the broadcasting industry. With OmniPlayer they have set a new standard in radio automation and playout software. Most regional and nationwide stations in the Netherlands use OmniPlayer to create, manage, edit, play out and broadcast their content, news, and music flawlessly. With Nimbus Newsroom, they’ve created software that will let creators, journalists and editors make, edit, and bring news anytime, anywhere and from any device. 

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