Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:
- Ryan Tumilty announced today he is leaving Metro Edmonton to join Metro Ottawa. The exact date is still to be determined, but he tweeted he is “sad to be leaving a city I have really grown to love, but excited for new opportunities closer to family.” Sad to see you go Ryan, but wish you all the best!
- The September/October issue of The Tomato celebrates the magazine’s 20th year. Publisher Mary Bailey started it in 1996 as City Palate and is featured in this Proust Culinary Questionnaire. Congrats on 20 years Mary!
- The latest Edmonton radio ratings are out covering the period May 30 – August 28. Now 102.3 FM remains on top and has actually pulled away from second place 103.9 CISN FM. 630 CHED remains third. The big loser in this book was CBC Radio 1, falling from fourth to eighth.
- Congrats to Chris Scheetz, Jacqueline Sweeney, and Matt DeBeurs on being named On-Air Personalities of the Year (Large Market) and to their station 103.9 CISN FM on being named Best Radio Station of the Year (Large Market) at the 2016 Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
- The Edmonton Journal, Canadian Press, CBC, CTV, and Global have all made their case to have cameras in the courtroom on Thursday for the verdict in the first-degree murder trial of Travis Vader. “The affidavit was put together by CBC crime reporter Janice Johnston. In her application, Johnston argues that the high-profile case has attracted significant attention around the world, is an extremely complex case, and it is in the public’s best interest to see the decision delivered directly from the judge.” The decision is expected tomorrow. Here’s the story from Janice Johnston herself.
- Mark Drelich is leaving 102.3 Now FM for Vancouver where he’ll join 102.7 The Peak. His last day was Thursday, September 8. He posted a video to Facebook thanking his colleagues and listeners.
- Edmonton Senior News is now called Edmonton Prime Times starting with the September edition. Here’s a look at the new cover.
- CFWE Radio have hired Devin Grey as a Sales Consultant. He was with Corus previously, as Sales Manager here in Edmonton for the past 12 years.
- Guy Laurence, CEO of Rogers Communications, was in Edmonton last week to tour Rogers Place and participate in the grand opening. “Rogers invested $15 million in the 18,641-seat building’s fancy new hardware and software systems, which include no fewer than 417 Wi-Fi antennas sprinkled around the building, and three sets of antennas that handle emergency services and cellphones for all telco providers.”
- Here’s a feature on 630 CHED from Seanna Collins. Bruce Bowie, Eileen Bell, Ryan Jespersen, and Bryan Hall all make appearances.
- Vue Weekly is looking for an Associate Editor, ideally with arts experience.
- Cam Tait has put the call out for submissions for the 2016 ATCO Edmonton Sun Christmas Charity Auction, which takes place November 1-3. “Last year, Edmonton media personalities – newspaper, radio and television – raised over $21,000 for the auction by offering packages,” he wrote.
- Here are the latest blog and podcast roundups from Seen and Heard in Edmonton.
- The next episode of Your Turn with Jenny Adams on Shaw TV features 630 CHED’s Ryan Jespersen. Watch it on September 22.
- The deadline to apply for Avenue Edmonton’s editorial intern position is Wednesday. “To qualify for this Alberta Magazine Publishers Association subsidized internship you must have graduated in September 2014 or later.”
- Rogers Radio (SONiC, The Bounce, World FM) is looking for a Promotions Coordinator.
- Bell Media is looking for a Senior Manager of Advertising and Promotions. The deadline to apply is September 20.
- Global’s casting tour for Big Brother Canada will come to Edmonton on Saturday, October 1 at The Billiard Club. The show will air next spring.
I am thrilled with our first story at Taproot Edmonton! Written by Mel Priestley, it’s all about the herd of deer that live near the Edmonton Ethane Extraction Plant along 23 Avenue.
Please check it out, and consider becoming a member to help us put more great stories like this into the world.
And here is some slightly less local media stuff:
- Lots of Twitter-related news to start the week. Starting September 19, media attachments (images, videos, polls, etc.) will no longer count toward the 140 character limit. It doesn’t seem like they are going to increase the length of tweets, but this is change will help. And from Fast Company, here’s a look at Twitter’s big bet on live events.
- It’s kind of difficult to remember just how different the web looked on September 11, 2001. I remember spending most of the day glued to the TV after trying to get the web to load that morning in my computing science lab at the U of A.
- As we approach the debates in the US Presidential Election, The Onion is ramping up its coverage. “With the mock headlines easily shared on social media, The Onion is on track to see a 38 percent increase in traffic to its main website over the 2012 election cycle, spokeswoman Lauren Pulte said.”
- For those of you following the Gawker saga, the latest news is that new own Univision has deleted six stories that were the targets of lawsuits, an act the Gawker Media Editorial Union strongly disagrees with.
- Why would someone go into journalism? John Harris, publisher and editor-in-chief of Politico, tackles the big question.
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!
