A View on View :: What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

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the person - lives in Toronto, CA with his wife and three children, and works as director of community with PlanetEye Inc.

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Main Page » Telecom Acquisitions, Financing

Mitel: IPO Deja Vu

What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

by Mark Evans on Mon 30 Oct 2006 07:29 AM EST | Permanent Link

The Report on Business magazine has an interesting profile on Telus CEO Darren Entwistle, which offers some insight into arguably Canada's most dynamic telecom executive. It includes the surprising contention the 44-year-old may have plans to walk away from telecom in four or five years to teach strategy and leadership at a U.K. university - as opposed to moving on to bigger and better things such as CEO of a U.S. RBOC. The only thing I would quibble about in the story is the claim Entwistle "blew some of his regained credibility with a doomed $1.1-billion bid for Microcell" in 2004. Everyone knew Entwistle wanted Microcell out of the wireless game because its discounting tactics were hurting the industry's operating margins. By making the bid, Entwistle put Microcell in play and Telus in a win-win position. If the bid succeeded, Telus would become an even bigger wireless player in a fast-growing market. If the bid failed (which happened when Ted Rogers made a $1.4-billion bid), the market would be consolidated and market conditions would improve. Entwistle didn't blow his credibility; he made a brilliant strategic move that didn't cost Telus a dime.

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Re: What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

by Tyler on Mon 30 Oct 2006 11:32 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Mark, I couldn't agree more. In fact, I think early on Entwistle was waiting impatiently for Rogers or Bell to take Microcell out of the game. I truly believe he made the bid believing that it was a win-win. Bid low, get a good deal and bolster your position in wireless, or have someone else come in, bid more, and take a competitor out of play -- which causes all ships to rise. The fact he was so inflexible with the price he offered, despite protest from Microcell's board, shows he calculated his moves well.

Tyler

Re: What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

by Anonymous on Mon 30 Oct 2006 01:20 PM EST | Permanent Link

I completely agree. I think Darren Entwistle is one of the brightest CEO's that Canada has ever produced.

However, the interesting thing that came out of the Microcell/Rogers deal was finally understanding that the CRTC doesn't know what the hell is going on in the industry. How it allowed GSM in Canada to be monopolized is completely beyond me.

Re: What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

by Stuart MacDonald on Mon 30 Oct 2006 06:06 PM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Mark, I agree that the story was a good read.

The only thing I found a bit hard to wrap my head around was the whole "gee I'm so unhappy" thing. The way Reguly kept talking about it really had me scratching my head over whether he really is, or that was just Reguly's angle for the story.

Um, dude, if you are that unhappy? Leave the frickin' building. Life goes on. It might get worse for others you leave behind, but move on. Trust me on that one ;-) To be sure the question of "what's next" is always tough, and it could be that has you stuck. It isn't easy. But if it truly is that nasty? Pull the bloody chute.

Seriously, dude. Ping me. It sucks at first but then it's pretty sweet on the outside. And you're only 44. You ain't done.

- Stuart

Re: Re: What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

by Mark Evans on Mon 30 Oct 2006 08:06 PM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

i saw entwistle at the groundbreaking ceremony for telus' new tower in toronto. he looked really happy.

Re: Re: Re: What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

by Stuart MacDonald on Tue 31 Oct 2006 09:57 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

So it was just an angle, you think?

Re: Re: Re: Re: What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

by Mark Evans on Tue 31 Oct 2006 10:15 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

writing about someone being unhappy is far more interesting than someone who's successful and believe he's king of the world. maybe entwistle is a man in a hurry who is frustrated/unhappy but telus is one of the most dynamic telecom carriers in north america right now (relatively speaking, of course) so he should be feeling pretty good.

Re: Re: What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

by Tyler on Mon 30 Oct 2006 08:23 PM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Funny that Reguly wrote that piece. I know that a few years ago, Entwistle wasn't a fan and wouldn't give him or the Globe the time of day. I think it had something to do with the Globe repeatedly writing that the Clearnet deal was a bad decision. (Boy, didn't the Globe get that wrong.)

Anyway, I remember at the time remarking to Entwistle over a beer that Reguly, who I have great respect for, was one of the tallest reporters in Canada. Entwistle, who likes to play the odd game of hockey and isn't a little guy himself, whipped back: "He's not so big. That's one guy I'd like to check into the boards."

I'm sure they've since made up. I found it quite the funny comment, and a demonstration of Entwistle's sometimes feisty approach.

Re: Re: Re: What Does Darren Entwistle Do Next?

by Stuart MacDonald on Tue 31 Oct 2006 10:02 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

That's funny, Tyler.

And if hey, if the Globe was looking for a writer who knows something about telecom *and* hockey I'm sure they could have found somebody with that background to write the piece. Somewhere. Maybe someone more "wiry" than big, but... ;-)

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