Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:
- Sonic 102.9’s Program Director Al Ford is leaving for Vancouver to become the new PD at 96.9 Jack FM. Ford was named Program Director of the Year by the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards in 2014, the fourth consecutive time he won the award.
- Wildrose leader Danielle Smith is blaming the media for her party’s troubles with messaging. “When we say something positive about the government it doesn’t get reported. When we say something negative it always gets reported,” she said. The party plans to focus on blogs and social media going forward.
- Lorne Gunter responded with a column today, arguing that “her party’s political fortunes are not the product of a media that is being mean to her.” He says the party hasn’t made any substantial policy position announcements worth writing about. “The party’s media strategy seems to involve sending out reams of dry-as-dust news releases,” he says.
- The Edmonton Journal published a list of the top movers and shakers in Edmonton for 2014. While no media folks made that list, Linda Hughes, former editor and publisher of the Edmonton Journal, made the accompanying “Titans” list, made up of “citizens who have shaped this city.”
- There’s just a little over a month to go until Christmas, and that means the holidays will be taking over the local media. For instance, the Shaw has teased the return of the fire log:
- Follow @ShawFireLog on Twitter for updates!
- Earlier today, the annual Christmas Bureau campaign launch took place, with many members of the media participating in the gingerbread decorating contest. Edmonton’s Child Magazine won “Best of Print”, 95.7 CRUZ FM won “Best of Radio”, This Bird’s Day won “Best of Social Media”, Shaw TV won “Best of TV”, and Global Edmonton won “Shameless Self-Promotion”. Here’s a video about the launch:
- The Christmas Bureau’s 2014 campaign goal is more than $1.8 million, and the organization expects 65,000 Edmontonians will turn to it for festive meals this holiday season. You can learn more and donate here.
- I missed this previously, but Lucas Timmons is leaving his position as data journalist at the Edmonton Journal to join the Canadian Press in Ontario.
- Congratulations to Karlynn Johnston on getting published! The popular food blogger is writing a cookbook to be published by Appetite by Random House (which is a pretty big deal). Watch for her cookbook to hit store shelves both physical and virtual in the fall of 2016.
- The November/December issue of Edmonton’s Child magazine features Global Edmonton’s Jennifer Crosby and Carol Anne Devany.
- Lauren Hunter is back in Edmonton and will be joining Sonic 102.9 on December 1 to do weekends. The NAIT grad was most recently in Kelowna at Sun FM.
- A brief update on last week’s item about Edmonton AM being #1 in the ratings. That was based on the October ratings (the stations receive monthly reports) which show CBC with a sizeable 2.8 point lead over Now 12.3 FM for the 6am-8:30am time period (CHED came in third). This is apparently the first time CBC has been first in the morning in decades.
- The University if Alberta is looking for a Communications Associate to work in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life, & Environmental Sciences.
- Every year ESPN puts out a ranking of NHL coaches, and this year Edmonton Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins is dead last. Ok, maybe not media news per se, but I know local sports guys will all have an opinion!
- Here are Linda’s latest social media notes.
- Here is Karen’s latest Edmonton blog roundup!
- The Yards, a new magazine “focused on urban, cultural and social issues in central Edmonton”, launches December 1, but they are holding a launch party next Thursday at the Yellowhead Brewery. See you there!
- Hey did you hear, podcasts are back!
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!
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