Media Monday Edmonton: Update #111

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• After ten years on the job, Global Edmonton’s Trouble Shooter Julie Matthews is moving on to become a senior investigator with Service Alberta. Her last day was Friday, May 2.
• Also leaving Global Edmonton is Shane Jones, who will be joining PCL as their new Media Relations Specialist in two weeks.
• The Yeggies are coming up on Friday evening! Get your tickets here.
• Graham Thomson on the return of Alison Redford to the legislature: “This was Redford’s first appearance in the assembly since she resigned as premier March 23 and the media were after her like seagulls chasing a fishing trawler. And all we got were scraps.”
• The nominees for the 37th annual National Magazine Awards were announced recently. Alberta Views and Eighteen Bridges both picked up a number of nominations. The winners will be revealed in Toronto on June 6.
• I was sad to miss the NOW 102.3 FM Tweetup on Friday night! Looks like it was a fun time.

Great #nowtweetup @1023nowradio! @McIntyreMary1 had a blast with @DMcIntyreCTV, @adammckale, @TazlyTaz, @crashandmars pic.twitter.com/WL9ziulWXX

— Mary McIntyre (@McIntyreMary1)

May 3, 2014

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• Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at Global Edmonton with Lorraine Mansbridge.
• “It took JR Shaw four years to get a cable license from the CRTC.” He connected his first customer in 1971 and today has more than 3 million customers! Here’s 6 pieces of advice from the telecommunications pioneer.
• Brett Barrett is a newly graduated News Assistant at Global Edmonton, and he’s pretty excited about filing his first story. I love that social media enables stuff like this!
• NAIT’s student newspaper, the Nugget, was first published on January 1, 1964. Here’s a look at 50 years of history for the publication. Color printing began in 1999!
• I was disappointed to see the comments on this piece by Gray Lamphier. In response to a suggestion from a reader, Lamphier responded: “And I wish I had 10 more inches of column space to answer such questions. If you can wangle that from my editor, let me know.” I feel like that excuse should no longer be valid in 2014.
• Is life really more fun on two wheels? There’s a Facebook group for Edmonton Media Motorcyclists.
• Here’s a roundup of some recent blog posts from Edmontonians. What do you think – is that interesting and/or useful?
• Edmonton-born filmmaker Dave Walker was found dead in Cambodia last week. He went missing back in February.
• Saturday, May 3 was World Press Freedom Day as designated by the United Nations. Twitter encouraged users to tweet their observations and thoughts using the hashtag #PressFreedom.
• As you know, Rob Ford was back in the news over the last week or so. And this time, media outlets are ponying up some cash in exchange for photos. From the Globe and Mail: Why we published the Rob Ford photos and The case for paying for Rob Ford photographs. Gawker was also approach and wrote about their interactions with the seller.

A zombie is interviewed by CTV Edmonton during the 2014 RCZC Spring Zombie Walk

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.