Here’s my third week in review:
- Biggest news of the week as far as I am concerned is the announcement that the edmontonian will be debuting a 30-minute show on Shaw TV this April. “We wanted new ways to tell Edmonton’s stories. We wanted new ways for you to contribute,” wrote editors Jeff and Sally in their announcement. It’ll be really interesting to see how this marriage of traditional and new media plays out. They’re looking for contributors too, so get in touch if you’re interested (PDF).
- The Edmonton Journal has been nominated for two awards by the International Newsmedia Marketing Association. Taste Alberta was nominated for Marketing Campaign With the Best Results, and the Grey Cup 2010 supplement was nominated for Public Relations and Community Service. A total of 72 newspapers made the list. The winners will be announced on May 17 in New York.
- Global Edmonton Trouble Shooter Julie Matthews received two Alberta Consumer Champion Awards in the media category today. It was her second and third consecutive win in a row, according to Global. She won for her “Lemon Aid” series on buying a vehicle, as well as for her “Civil Court” series on the basics of the justice system. Global has embedded the videos here.
- Here’s an interesting marketing approach. MacEwan University’s Bachelor of Communication Studies has an online contest with some fun questions centered around getting “the real information out.” You could win an iPad. The contest closes March 31. The domain for the contest – www.whatseriously.com – seems as though it might be used again in the future. Follow @MacEwan_BCS on Twitter for updates.
- Marty Forbes has a roundup of local media comings and goings. He reports, among other things, that Jason Roberts has landed at UP FM after the E Z Rock flip to Virgin Radio.
- The Alberta Magazines Conference is coming up from March 24-26 in Calgary at the Carriage House Inn.
- As a follow-up to last week’s notes: Vue Weekly has removed the “100% Independent” banner on its website. Also, they have an “Exclusive Online Content” section on the website – anyone know how long that has been there?
- A reminder that Shaw’s customer discussions on UBB start tomorrow in Edmonton.
- I’m not sure what the local impact of this news is, but regulators have approved BCE Inc.’s purchase of CTVglobemedia.
- The Sun News Network is set to launch on April 18 (follow @SunNewsNetwork on Twitter). They’ve been busy posting photos of the new studios in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg. No love for Edmonton apparently.
- This isn’t particularly local but I want to mention it anyway – Metro is expanding to Winnipeg and London, ON.
- Edmonton’s foodie blog queen Sharon Yeo made Western Living magazine’s Top 40 Foodies Under 40 for 2011 (PDF) for her popular blog onlyhereforthefood.ca in the Media/Activists category. Congrats Sharon!
- Edmonton’s oldest community newspaper is now online: Boyle McCauley News recently launched a new website. Paula Kirman has the story behind the new site here. I think it looks great!
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 
You, sir, flatter us. Thanks for the mention, and thanks for the anticipation!
Also, we will be streaming and uploading wherever we can. We know that’s what the kids like.
Looking forward to the streaming and podcasting 🙂
Also, let’s hope the purchase of CTV does not go like all the other major media purchases of the last decade. That is: big buy, 6 or so months of business as usual, layoffs to balance the new books and “streamline” within the new corporate structure, less local and regional programming.
There are some stipulations from the CRTC that BCE will have to invest in new programming and news (specifically in Western Canada and with the A Channels) so let’s hope we see a new slate of original, local programs in the fall.
Thanks for the mention Mack. Vue Weekly has been running online exclusive content for the last couple of years (or more?). Starting with video and photo content early on, and then moving into news, music, film and arts coverage that we placed exclusively online when the timing was wrong for the paper, the content was more web-friendly (lots of links and embedded content) or the paper was simply not able to fit the story that week. BTW, I am really enjoying your “Media Mondays” I hope you keep it up.
Congratulations to Sharon for her mention in the 40 Foodies Under 40. Let’s not forget about the other amazing Edmonton food peeps that also made the list: Daniel Costa of Corso 32, Nate Box of Elm Cafe, and Giselle Corteau & Garner Beggs of the Duchess Bake Shop.
No disclosure on the foodie blog queen? 😉
I enjoy following Only Here for the Food. Congrats Sharon!