PR pro stickhandles his way into new position

pbest@globeandmail.com

The career move last week by big-deal Montreal-based public relations strategist Luc Lavoie to a firm controlled by Andrew Molson surely has Montrealers savouring a delicious irony. Mr. Lavoie, of course, is known for his crisis management skills and was Pierre Karl Péladeau's right-hand man at Quebecor Inc. for many years until he took a break a year ago. Mr. Péladeau led a consortium last spring (other members of his group included an investment arm of the Quebec Federation of Labour and the business entity of Celine Dion and her husband René Angélil) to buy the Montreal Canadiens hockey club and its arena. The other - and ultimately successful bidders - were the three Molson brothers, Geoffrey, Justin and Andrew, and some partners that include Quebecor business competitor BCE Inc. Much wrangling ensued between the two bidders over what role provincial government loans would play in financing the purchase of the fabled team. The deal closed a week or so ago, and Mr. Péladeau is believed to be very unhappy about losing the fight. So much so, he has mused about bringing an NHL franchise to Quebec City. Indeed this month, online sports blogs are full of excited speculation at the prospect. If successful - and it's likely a long shot - the move by Mr. Péladeau would recreate the glory days of a storied rivalry, that of the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Nordiques in the 1980s and 1990s.

OUT ON THE TOWN

Convicted Toronto entertainment entrepreneur Garth Drabinsky is out of jail while he appeals his seven-year sentence from the Livent fraud trial. And he is out and about on the city's social scene. During the just-concluded Toronto International Film Festival, a relaxed and casual-looking Mr. Drabinsky was spotted at the premiere of The Informant - making the film's star Matt Damon not the only celebrity turning heads at the event.