Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:
- After six and a half years at the Journal, Mariam Ibrahim is moving on to the AUPE. “It has been an honour and a privilege to share the stories that matter so much to #yeg and #ableg,” she tweeted. Her last day at Postmedia is Friday.
- Michael Hingston tweeted that he has “decided to step down as the Journal’s books columnist.” His last article will be posted next month. In follow-up tweets he confirmed he’ll remain a freelancer and said, “The Journal gave me a shot at a really early time in my career, and I’ll always be grateful to them.”
- In case you missed it, local startup SAM announced that the Associated Press has taken an equity stake in the company. “The AP’s investment, along with those from several additional investors, have made up a seed round that will allow us to grow our team and accelerate our growth.” Congrats to James and the team!
- Emma Graney has left the Regina Leader-Post to join the Journal/Sun here in Edmonton. Welcome!
- This is fantastic: Rev at Vintage Edmonton has acquired a reproduction of the Edmonton Bulletin’s first edition from December 6, 1880. The paper’s season ran from December 1 to May 1. A subscription for the season was $2.00 and ads for the season were $5.00 per inch. Fascinating!
- Vividata has released new data which shows that “Metro is in a virtual tie for second place for daily readers in Edmonton, with 159,000 weekday newspaper readers versus 160,000 for the Edmonton Sun.” Both trail the Journal which claims 254,000 daily readers. Across the country, things are looking up for Metro. “Metro is the most-read newspaper in Canada every Monday to Friday, according to the Vividata survey.”
- Congrats to 100.3 The Bear FM for winning “Best Promo” in the Medium Market category at the 26th Radio Production Awards.
- Episode 36 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Troy Pavlek of the Basket of YEGs podcast.
- The recording didn’t work unfortunately, but Karen has posted a transcript from the last Edmonton Podcasting Meetup which featured Justin Jackson.
- This is pretty funny. Last week, Global News has renamed its news programs and also introduced a new look and sound to go along with the name change. The team on “Global News Morning” had some fun with the changes.
- Mark Connolly and CBC’s Edmonton AM will be broadcasting live from the Strathcona County public library in Sherwood Park on Thursday morning.
- Marty Forbes writes about how the local media are stepping up to support the Alberta Motorcycle Safety Society.
- Marty also shared a few photos from the CFCW Salute at the recent Edmonton Broadcasters Club luncheon.
- AMPIA’s Rosie Awards will be handed out in Calgary on May 7 and it looks like Edmonton is well-represented. APTN’s Blackstone earned 13 nominations!
- Postmedia is looking for a full-time, permanent reporter to join the newsroom here in Edmonton. The closing date is April 29.
- Sonic 102.9 FM’s website is now sporting the new Rogers Media look.
- Calgary-based Culinaire Magazine is expanding Province-wide. Watch for it to appear in Edmonton on May 5. Global Calgary has an interview with Linda Garson, Editor-in-Chief/Publisher and Tom Firth, Beverage Editor.
Premier Rachel Notley and Minister of Finance Joe Ceci at CBC Edmonton, photo by Premier of Alberta
And here is some slightly less local media stuff:
- Here are Linda’s latest social media notes. She linked to an article I have bookmarked for the plane ride on my upcoming vacation: Instagram is ruining vacation.
- According to the CRTC, more than 66,000 Canadians have signed up for the new “skinny basic” TV packages over the last five weeks. To put that in perspective though, about 11.5 million Canadian households are subscribed to cable or satellite TV.
- Even online publications are now being forced to deal with major changes to the advertising industry. “In the first quarter of 2016, 85 cents of every new dollar spent in online advertising will go to Google or Facebook.”
- The full list of 2016 Pulitzer Prize winners is now available.
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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