tertainment. The Chinese investment group Fosun and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec also became share- holders, while Cirque founder Guy Laliberté retains a 10% share. Garber, who played a key role in the discussions that led to
the sale, was named chairman of the Cirque’s board, much to the delight of president and CEO Daniel Lamarre. “Mitch has a lot of business acumen. He can quickly identify and assess opportunities as they arise. Since the Cirque is solicited for numerous projects, he’ll help us choose the best ones to ensure our growth,” adds Lamarre, who likes the boundless enthusiasm of his friend of 20-plus years. Another advantage for Cirque: “Mitch is one of the few Montrealers with an extensive knowledge of the inter- national market and a vast network of contacts.” Garber sees infinite possibilities for
the company Laliberté created more than 30 years ago. He maintains that reinventing the circus arts can be done without reinventing the wheel. “Cirque du Soleil can build on other successful models,” he says. Examples include mu- sicals such as Les Misérables or Mamma Mia, which have had long runs in New York and London, while touring the world. “Vegas shows like The Beatles LOVE and “O” could play in London or Shanghai and tour internationally,” Garber believes, adding that on May 25, Cirque du Soleil will put on its first Broadway production in New York. Entitled Paramour, the show combines the Cirque du Soleil’s signature style with the usual trappings of Broadway musicals.
A philanthropic dragon Being a sports enthusiast, Garber was involved in bringing the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes back to the city in 1996. Currently, along with the city’s mayor and other business leaders, he is busy trying to orchestrate the return of major league baseball to Montreal. “It would bolster the city’s image and economy,” he says. It’s a challenge worthy of Mitch Garber. “He adores Montreal and loves helping others, and he thinks big. The tougher the project, the more he’s drawn
in,” says Boucher. Martin-Luc Archambault, who also appears on Dans l’œil du dragon, concurs. “Nothing’s impossible for him. He’s a unifier who brings the right people together to make every project a success,” says the entrepreneur who launched the AmpMe music app and the Wajam social search engine. This spring, Garber will appear in his second season of Dans
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MAY 2016 | CPA MAGAZINE | 31
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