Zack Werner Zack Werner ( born June 27 , 1955 , in Winnipeg , Manitoba ) has had an extensive career in the music industry as an artist , producer , entertainment lawyer and manager . He is also president of Toronto -based Venus Management and Venus Records ( distributed by EMI ) , where he spends his time finding and developing new talent across Canada . Career After receiving a B.A. from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from the University of British Columbia , Werner moved to Toronto and joined local rock band The Ringing . The band , managed by Gary Pring secured a development deal with Capitol Records . Later , Werner moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Thick As Thieves . The group negotiated a distribution deal through BMG . When the band broke up Werner returned to Toronto and signed a development deal with MCA as a solo-artist and worked with producer John Punter . Putting his legal training to use , Werner practiced entertainment law with the firm of Sanderson , Taylor - the pre-eminent entertainment law firm in Canada , counting among their clients such as Sum 41 , Avril Lavigne , the New Meanies and Nelly Furtado . Werner is currently busy with the launch his new PR company , Smoke and Mirrors Promotions . He is also one of the judges of Canadian Idol , where he is notorious due to his harsh and uncompromising criticisms on most auditioners . This often resulted in comparing him with Simon Cowell . However , Werner became more friendly recently and partially changed his accent on Canadian Idol . External links Canadian Idol official website Categories : 1955 births | Canadian Idol | Canadian Jews | Living people | People from Winnipeg | Reality television participants 