Media Monday Edmonton: Update #64

Here is my latest update on local media stuff:

• Have you heard? 92.5 JOE FM has been renamed to 925 Fresh FM. They must be doing the new format/station on a tiny budget. Not only is their logo horrendous, but their website consists entirely of embedded Facebook and Twitter widgets. Maybe that’s the way it is done now. Or maybe they just blew the budget on the front page ad in the Edmonton Sun. Even more curiously, they decided to create NEW social media profiles rather than take advantage of the existing communities they had created. Over 2300 followers on Twitter and 4600 likes on Facebook, just thrown away. Here’s the PSR thread on the switch.

• “We are very excited to launch our successful Fresh radio brand in Edmonton,” said Garry McKenzie, Regional General Manager, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, Corus Radio. “Through market research and the proven success of Fresh in our other Corus markets, we know that The New 92.5 Fresh FM will reflect the fun, contemporary and vibrant culture that the city is known for with music that Edmontonians love to hear.” The switch officially took effect at noon on January 9.
• Tamara has scheduled the third Meet the Media event for February 22 at The Underground Tap & Grill. Looks like the event is already at capacity, but you can add yourself to the wait list. Here is Tamara’s post about the event.
• Sounds like NAIT’s Claire Theobald is the newest intern at Global Edmontonis the newest intern at Citytv Edmonton!
• Very interesting read about The Gateway’s autonomy campaign. “Before this last decade, The Gateway was a Students’ Union-run publication, operating as an SU-owned service, with some of its power in the hands of the executive and Students’ Council. Throughout the paper’s history, this relationship had its ups and downs, but The Gateway’s ultimate decision to pursue autonomy represented an opportunity for the newspaper to come into its own.”
• Has #yeg become too popular for its own good? Laurie Callsen looks at spamming the hashtag.
• Here’s an interview with Paula Kirman on her work in activism and social media.
• Linda Hoang is now a full-time employee at CTV and she’s written about what it means to be a Digital Reporter. Oh and in case you missed it, here are her social media-related new year’s resolutions.
• Happy Birthday to Rob Williams at CTV!
• Here’s a blast from the past for you: CFRN-TV Radio Tom Tom Times from November 1957.
• Remember Yakupov and the spat he created with the media? Here’s another take on the situation: Filtering Through the Noise of Sports Journalism. “And who knows, maybe this group of reporters was right, and Yakupov just didn’t want to talk. But to make an ill-informed assumption and label him as a bad leader or prima donna is simply irresponsible and misleading journalism.”
• TheLocalGood.ca is looking for a social media coordinator to join the team. The deadline to apply is February 2.
• Here are some thoughts from the Journal on how to make something go viral.
• Sounds like The Bear’s Scott McCord is heading east to Ottawa.
• The Spruce Grove Examiner and Stony Plain Reporter are looking for a full-time editor to join the team of four.
• A reminder that the next Capital Ideas Edmonton event takes place next week on January 23.
• Looks like the black & yellow are gone for good. Gigcity has launched a new, mostly white design featuring light green accents.
• Are you excited for Oprah? She’ll be in town on Monday evening to offer insights and stories from throughout her life.
• Dragon’s Den kicks off auditions for 2013 on January 19 in Toronto. They’ll be here in Edmonton on February 16.
• Here’s a look at Postmedia’s latest results. “Print advertising fell by 11 per cent, digital revenue increased by almost 10 per cent. But the dollar amounts of each are sobering – $2-million in digital gains doesn’t go far in making up for a $16-million decrease in print.”
• In case you missed it: here is my State of the Edmonton Twittersphere for 2012. And here are Kathleen Smith’s picks for the most fascinating local Twitter accounts of 2012.
• This could be interesting! Rogers has agreed to purchase Shaw’s Mountain Cable and some wireless spectrum licenses for $700 million.

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.