Media Monday Edmonton: Update #50

Wow, fifty local media updates! When I started this series of blog posts back in February 2011, I had no idea how long I’d be able to keep it up. I didn’t know if there would be enough media-related news to come up with a new post every week or two, but that has never been a problem. I also didn’t know if it would be valuable, for myself or for others. But I have enjoyed tracking the changes happening in the local mediasphere, and the engagement from others suggests the series is valuable to more people than just me. Thanks for reading!

Here is my latest update on local media stuff:

• The online world in Alberta should get a bit more interesting now that HuffPost Alberta has launched. Here is Arianna Huffington’s introductory blog post, and here is the opening take from News Editor Pablo Fernandez. He wrote: “We believe Albertans are ready to embrace the exchange of ideas. This is a province being shaped by a young, connected, diverse and intelligent citizenry — a citizenry that needs a punchy, politically savvy, smart online publication that sparks ideas and stirs the imagination, but that doesn’t always take itself seriously.” Here is the Edmonton edition.
• Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was in town last week and when he needed a lift, former CTV News Director Glenn Kubish was there to help him out. I enjoyed Paula’s take on the story. And here’s what the Globe wrote.
• CTV reports that news audiences grew significantly during the London Olympics. Here in Edmonton, news ratings experienced “43% increases in the young adult demo (A18-34).”
• The new Alberta Street News website is now live!
• Want to be a part of the Unknown Studio’s fourth season? Now’s your chance! They are looking for sponsors, guest suggestions, and segment ideas.
• Richard Helm has given up his post as editor of the Books section in order to move to the op-ed section. He wrote: “Edmonton has long been, and remains today, a book-loving town with an affection for a good read that speaks well of the place. To all of you, I can only say, keep reading.” Michael Hingston will be starting a new books column in September.
• Here’s an anonymous tip from one of my readers: despite covering more Olympics than any other Canadian journalist (16), longtime Edmonton Sun columnist Terry Jones was not in London for the games. Checking Terry’s Twitter feed does seem to indicate that his vacation in the US during that time was a consolation prize (at least to a certain extent). In response to a comment from TSN’s Chris Cuthbert suggesting he should have vacationed in London, Terry said: “At least with this Ill have made memories from the summer of 2012. Thanks for the words though. It helps.”
• This is pretty cool. New employees at 630 CHED dip their hands or feet in paint and then sign the staff wall!
• There are two Edmonton episodes coming up in the new season of HGTV’s Urban Suburban. You can read the descriptions here: Forest Heights vs. Sherwood Park, and River Valley vs. St. Albert. (Seriously, “River Valley”? This is why we need to brand our neighbourhoods.)
• You may have noticed that Shaw changed up the TV listings again. The changes took effect on August 7.
• Here’s a little blast from the past: ads and bumpers from Power 92 and K-ROCK.
• The Edmonton Journal’s Community Advisory Board is now entering its second term. I have decided to remain on the board for a final year, along with thirteen others. There are four spots open, with applications being accepted until August 29.
• Now there’s something you don’t see every day!
• You can read all about PSR Media Mob Day here, complete with a bunch of photos of the event.
• Did you read about Medium this week, the new publishing platform from Blogger & Twitter founders Evan Williams and Biz Stone? Here’s my favorite take: Welcome To The New Internet: Simple Design, Short Names, No Ads. Forget 15 years of improvements in design and layout, we’re going back to the earliest days of the web!
• I enjoyed reading this look back at some early work done at The Washington Post on the future of newspapers.
• A smart take on mobile from Jeff Jarvis: “Mobile is a path not a destination.”
• Here’s a good piece on the media’s Internet infatuation, which sort of continues a thread that started a couple of updates ago in my Media Monday Edmonton series.
• Check out what Edmonton bloggers have been writing about over the last week.
• Have you been enjoying your Saturday paper, all weekend long?

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.