Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:
- There’s an unsubstantiated report making the rounds that Postmedia plans to merge its major dailies, which in Edmonton would see the combination of the Journal and the Sun. While there’s a lot of wisdom in combining the sales and business teams from each paper (which has happened) and even sharing physical office space (which is happening) it makes much less sense to combine the editorial teams or otherwise merge the two papers. There’s little overlap between their audiences and a lot of lucrative ad inventory to lose by getting rid of one of the papers. Postmedia has made some surprising decisions in the past so I guess I wouldn’t be completely shocked if it happened, but I also wouldn’t put any money on it.
- The Fall 2015 issue of NAIT’s techlife magazine features a profile of Jay Downton, co-founder of OilersNation and the Nation Network.
- Congratulations to Amber Bracken on having her photo published as the cover of the latest issue of Maclean’s magazine!
- Here’s a piece by Marty Forbes on handing the keys over to the kids in radio. “I think most of us in the industry are waiting for the ‘next big thing’ – something exciting, new, innovative, fun, game changing – kinda like what Netflix did to Blockbuster – and some day somebody will make that breakthrough – I hope.”
- CTV Edmonton’s Brenna Rose is moving to Vancouver. Yesterday was her last show with Bill Fortier.
- CBC Edmonton’s Tim Adams continues his behind the scenes series with the secrets of pitching a story to producers.
- The City and Baby blog is still inactive, but Jenifer Schaefer is back on Twitter as @cityandjen.
- Cam Tait has the scoop on a new feature film from former CTV Edmonton Creative Director Ben Babchishin that is competing in the Telus Storyhive competition.
- Here is the latest roundup of local blog posts from Seen and Heard in Edmonton. And Episode 17 of the podcast features Ryan Batty, managing editor of The Copper & Blue.
- The Spruce Grove Examiner/Stony Plain Reporter has an opening for a full-time multimedia news reporter. The deadline to apply is November 20.
- Avenue Edmonton is looking for a web editor to join the team. The deadline to apply is November 20.
Premier Rachel Notley in front of the cameras
And here is some slightly less local media stuff:
- Connor McDavid is out with a broken clavicle, much to the sports media’s dismay. Good thing you can always count on Don Cherry to stir the pot.
- The final episode of War Junk, a four-part television documentary that airs on the History channel, has an Edmonton connection.
- For a look at everything happening in the world of social media this week, don’t miss Linda’s latest social media notes.
- Ok this one isn’t local at all, but is kind of funny. TSN’s Bob McKenzie accepted the 2015 Elmer Ferguson Award at the NHL Media Awards Luncheon. But is he the real Hockey Insider? See also, five minutes with Bob McKenzie.
- Magazines Canada is running a new campaign called Share Your Love of Magazines that “encourages Canadians to buy a Canadian magazine and discover their new love, whether in print or through connections made with other magazine readers.”
- Speaking of magazines, Flare will disappear from newsstands in the new year. “Flare is currently averaging 1,800 copies sold on newsstands, which is less than 2.5 per cent of its total circulation, says Melissa Ahlstrand, group publisher for fashion and beauty at Rogers Communications Inc.”
- Bell Media is slashing 270 jobs in Toronto and 110 in Montreal by the end of November.
- Telus is also looking to cut 1,500 jobs over the next several quarters in an effort to save $125 million in annual costs.
- If you’re into podcasts lately (as it seems to many are) you’ll want to check out NPR’s new podcast recommendation site called Earbud.fm.
- Mélanie Joly, Canada’s newly-minted minister of Canadian heritage, says the Liberals will re-invest $150 million for CBC and Radio-Canada.
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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