By Rick Gauthier, former President & CEO, CADA
I remember it like yesterday: a 6’7″ giant walked into my office at CADA and introduced himself as Niel Hiscox, then responsible for Canadian Auto World, a leading automotive publication founded by the late Lynn Helpard.
It was 2000, and CADA was preparing for its national dealer convention in Vancouver that June, which Niel and his team would be covering. I took an immediate liking to him, and our professional relationship quickly evolved into a friendship.
By 2004, Niel had moved on to become a vice president at one of Canada’s oldest law book publishers, while Canadian Auto World had faded from its leadership position. Even so, Niel and I stayed closely connected. His passion for the automotive industry never waned, and he missed being in the middle of it. Over countless breakfasts at Wimpy’s, which became our unofficial incubator, we explored ideas and potential collaborations to support Canadian dealers.
The first of these was launching a CADA-branded dealer magazine that Niel would publish and manage. I insisted that there also be a French edition for Québec dealers. Together, we laid the foundation for Canadian auto dealer and its sister publication, Affaires automobiles.
In December 2010, Niel and Todd Phillips, now Senior Editor, launched Universus, bringing the magazines with them. The team set up operations in CADA’s building, and the rest is history.
Under their leadership, the magazines became the industry’s gold standard, later expanding into new initiatives such as the weekly digital e-news release and related information products for that evolved into today’s CADA Newsline and Écho CADA.
Since then, Universus Media Group has grown into the automotive sector’s leading full-service marketing agency, with Niel recognized as one of its most respected voices.
On the occasion of the magazines’ 20th anniversary, I offer my congratulations to Niel, Todd Phillips, Linda Nadon, publisher of Affaires automobiles, and the entire team on reaching this milestone. I am proud to have played a supporting role in the journey. Well done.
