Humphrey Kadaner, who has served as President of hmv Canada since 2003, has exited the company, and reportedly taken up a senior position at Rogers Communications.

Often credited with helping hmv Canada survive in a time when more and more consumers have been moving toward digital downloading of music, Kadaner was instrumental in transitioning the retailer from a music shop to a full-fledged entertainment store. hmv Canada now sells everything from music-related books, to iPods, video game consoles and accessories, and even mobile phones. In 2008, the company revealed a new store concept that included all of these areas along with, in some locations, a "hub" area with Web-connected computers where shoppers can surf up to 20 of the most popular social networking sites while they shop.

According to Billboard magazine, Kadaner will be succeeded by Nick Williams, who was previously working for the retailer in the U.K.

See our one-on-one interview with Kadaner in the September 2008 issue of Marketnews Magazine. And stay tuned for the Shop Talk column in the September 2010 issue of the magazine, where we'll provide more details on the move.

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Humphrey Kadaner, former president of hmv Canada, poses inside the "hub" area of the Holt Renfrew Centre flagship store in downtown Toronto back in 2008.

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