Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:
- From Marty Forbes: “Bouquets to each and every Edmonton media outlet for the amazing Fort McMurray fire coverage.”
- Episode 70 of the Canadaland podcast features Vincent McDermott and Cullen Bird from Fort McMurray Today .
- The 2016 Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards were handed out in Toronto recently. No local winners, but lots of local nominees: 100.3 The Bear’s Jessica Jackson and Sonic 102.9’s Brandy Taylor for Music Director Major Market, Sonic 102.9’s Garner Andrews and HOT 107’s Ryder in the Morning for On Air Talen Major Market, 100.3 The Bear’s Rob Vavrek for Program Director Major Market, and lots of station nominations.
- From Cam Tait, here’s a tribute to Jerry Forbes. “Mr. Forbes is synonymous to giving in Edmonton, now three decades after his death.H e passed away Sept. 26, 1981 — three months after he retired from CHED — at 58.”
- Episode 40 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Alyssa Lau, “the blogger who shares her unique and striking approach to style at Ordinary People.”
- Friday was Jason Halbauer’s last day at Dinner TV and City Television. Sounds like he is moving on to CTV Edmonton. Congrats Jason!
- Chris Coughlin is taking over as News Director at 93.1 The One in Leduc. Thomas William has been promoted to News Director at 88.1 The One in Parkland, Coughlin’s previous post.
- Edmonton Unplugged airs twice daily on Shaw TV and host Douglas Mitchell plays in a band called VERA that will be on an upcoming episode. Since he can’t interview himself, Edmonton Unplugged is looking for a guest host! You have until May 31 to submit your application.
- A Celebration of Life for Patrick Cardinal will take place on May 25 at MKT. It would have been Pat’s 55th birthday.
- Virgin Edmonton’s Chris Kelly emceed the #YEGsemicolon event over the weekend, and even got his own tattoo!
- Congratulations to Global Edmonton’s Carole Anne Devaney on the news that she is expecting her second child! “The belly certainly has become harder and harder to hide behind the news desk,” she wrote.
- CTV Edmonton is looking for a Reporter/Anchor. The deadline to apply is May 19.
- EEDC is currently recruiting for a Social Media Engagement Specialist. The deadline to apply is May 20.
- Wild TV “is Canada’s #1 Outdoor Lifestyle channel” and they’re looking for both a Programming Director and a Production Assistant.
- The Bonnyville Nouvelle and Lakeland Regional is looking for a general assignment Senior Reporter/Photographer.
- The next Edmonton Podcasting Meetup takes place on Sunday, May 29 at Variant Edition Comics and features Jeff Samsonow from Capital Ideas Edmonton.
- Speaking of Capital Ideas, the next event is Wednesday at the Edmonton Journal!
- See you on Thursday next week at the Journalist Interrupted panel taking place at MacEwan.
- The panel has of course been planned to coincide with the Canadian Association of Journalists’ annual conference, taking place at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel from May 27-29.
Premier Rachel Notley meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on May 13, photo by Premier of Alberta
And here is some slightly less local media stuff:
- Linda points out in her latest social media notes that Twitter will soon stop counting photos and links in the 140 character limit for tweets.
- Postmedia CEO Paul Godfrey wants the federal government to subsidize the newspaper industry. Thomas Walkom argues that “Ottawa has been in the business of quietly helping Canadian publications for more than a century.”
- Sirius XM wants to take the Canadian business private, but the deal is facing opposition from minority shareholders. Also, fun fact, CBC currently owns 12.5% of Sirius XM Canada but would sell it under the proposal.
- Podcasting is surging lately, but it seems many podcasters are unhappy with Apple’s grip on the market.
- Does your smartphone have a dormant FM tuner? My old Windows Phone had FM radio functionality enabled, but I can’t say that I used it much.
- Here is some really interesting news from San Francisco: “Next month, media organizations in the Bay Area are planning to put aside their rivalries and competitive instincts for a day of coordinated coverage on the homeless crisis in the city.”
You can follow Edmonton media news on Twitter using the hashtag #yegmedia. For a great overview of the global media landscape, check out Mediagazer.
So, what have I missed? What’s new and interesting in the world of Edmonton media? Let me know!
MasterMaq's Blog 