Media Monday Edmonton: Update #39 (Wonderkid Edition)

Here is my latest update on local media stuff:

• To say that today was an interesting day in the Edmonton mediasphere would be a huge understatement. The big news is that Brittney Le Blanc, aka “Wonderkid”, is leaving 630CHED/iNews880 after six years with the organization. She wrote: “Saying goodbye is one of the toughest things for me. I hate doing it… but it’s the right time, and I look forward to keeping in touch with my friends from the station as I move on to the next challenge.”
• She is joining the Edmonton Journal as part of the Edmonton Experiment – an attempt to “identify, customize and build new products to serve our community”. Brittney will be working with Karen Unland who is back at the Journal to lead the project – and that itself is a big story! In a matter of days the Journal has managed to hire two of the most innovative members of Edmonton’s media community. Karen called it an offer she couldn’t refuse. Well Karen, I’d say snagging the Wonderkid is a great way to start your new job! Karen wrote about bringing Brittney on board here.
• In an interesting twist, Corus Entertainment isn’t the organization on the losing side of this news. The Edmonton Sun also loses Brittney, who had taken on the Page Six column. I understand tomorrow’s column will be her last.

• I’m really happy for Brittney! As good as radio has been to her, I think the Journal opportunity will really allow her to grow and become even more of a media rock star. I’m positive that we’ll see some amazing things from her and Karen over the next few months. Can’t wait!
• Brittney isn’t the only one switching orgs! Linda Hoang announced this week that she is leaving Global Edmonton to join CTV Edmonton as a web reporter. Glad to see there was cake to celebrate her departure. This is a big win for CTV! Linda starts her new gig this week.
• Investing in local news with the Edmonton Experiment fits with the new focus for Postmedia. They’ve decided to shutdown the newswire service and have signed a new three-year deal with The Canadian Press. Apparently this was a long time coming – Paul Godfrey got things in motion soon after taking over as CEO. Here’s the note that went out to Postmedia staff about the news.
• Here’s an article all about the Goosecam. In the four weeks it has been up so far, the page has received 55,000 page views. For a comparison, that’s almost exactly what my #abvote Results Dashboard got on election night itself.
• The new editor of Sun Media’s 24 Hours, Kevin Maimann, recently won a Calgary Folk Music Festival songwriting contest.
• Alberta Oil magazine has been nominated as Magazine of the Year in the 58th annual Kenneth R. Wilson Awards for business-to-business publications.
• Will CKUA’s move to the Alberta Hotel leave a number of artists and arts organizations unable to afford the new office space? CKUA’s CEO Ken Regan acknowledged that current tenants may not be able to afford the new space, but said: “In a perfect world, we’ve expressed to them that if they want to come with us, they’re more than welcome.”
• Global Edmonton’s Laurel Clark is living and working in Liberia until May 28 as part of the Africa Project. Here’s her blog, and here is Barry Acton’s blog, the cameraman she is travelling with.
• I love that Twitter is used to share stuff like this: Global Edmonton congratulates Shane Jones on the arrival of his baby girl!
• Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2012 Canadian Community Newspaper Awards. The St. Albert Gazette was named the Best All-Around Newspaper in the category with circulation of 12,500 to 24,999. The paper’s April Bartlett won for Best Feature Photo, and the Gazette also won for Best Sports Coverage.
• Check out Jennifer Crosby’s rubber boots! She did a great job on Saturday evening hosting Slow Food’s Roots, Shoots and Garden Boots gala.
• 104.9 Virgin Radio and West Edmonton Mall are teaming up to find the first Virgin Radio Star. They’re holding a two-day talent competition in search of the best voice in Edmonton.
• Have you registered for Meet the Media Tweetup 2? If not, you’ll have to get yourself on the waitlist…it’s sold out.

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!

You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here.