Media Monday Edmonton: Update #348

Taproot Edmonton’s latest Media Roundup was published today. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Local updates from the Media Roundup

Here are a few select updates from today’s Media Roundup:

IABC Edmonton announced the winners of the 2019 Capital Awards on Friday, May 24. A total of 58 awards of excellence and 27 awards of merit were recognized. DDB Edmonton led with seven awards.
Joel Gotlib, who “parted ways” with CTV Edmonton last year, has revealed a seven-year battle with prescription painkillers. “Gotlib sometimes suffered panic attacks while he was live on the CTV Edmonton anchor desk. In the newsroom, the pill bottle was never far away.”
J.J. Hebert has been dismissed by the Edmonton Oilers. He had served as Senior Director of Hockey Communications and Media Relations since 2003.
“I suppose we should never attribute to mischief what can be explained by incompetence,” says David Climenhaga about the Edmonton Journal’s recent editorial arguing in favor of keeping the carbon tax.
Senator Paula Simons spoke with CBC about what Postmedia’s efforts to work for Alberta premier Jason Kenney’s “energy war room” means for journalism. “It is very difficult for hardworking, really strong journalists to do their work with credibility when in the public mind people say, ‘Yeah, but your paper is helping the premier produce propaganda,'” Simons said.

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

Media-related updates from elsewhere

And here is some non-local media news that I found interesting this week:

VC firm Andreessen Horowitz has shared a detailed post called investing in the podcast ecosystem in 2019. “We’re interested in investing in the next wave of consumer products and startups coming into the ecosystem, and that includes the audio ecosystem.”
In a new interview on the Recode Decode podcast, Twitter co-founder Evan Williams says: “I think there is a better version of social media to be invented and I don’t know if that will happen incrementally, because there’s lots of smart people trying to evolve these systems at these massive companies, or if it will happen with just completely new paradigms and new ideas that come along.”
Comcast has agreed to sell its 33% stake in Hulu to Disney in 2024 for at least $27.5 billion. Vox explains the Hulu/Disney/Comcast divorce.
At USA Today, Todd Gitlin argues that “journalism that ducks the climate emergency withers into a distraction machine.” He highlights The Guardian’s daily CO2 count as climate news you can use.
A new study from the Pew Research Center found that men are overrepresented in the images U.S. news organizations use in news tories posted to Facebook.

Follow Edmonton media news using the hashtag #yegmedia and be sure to check out Mediagazer for the latest media news from elsewhere. You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here. If you have a tip or suggestion for future updates, let me know.

At Taproot Edmonton we’re working hard to ensure that local journalism has a future in our city. Join us to be part of the movement.

Edmonton Notes for May 26, 2019

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Taproot reported on Friday afternoon that the Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market is returning to 104 Street starting June 15. I know some will be happy with the news but I can’t get past what a total gong show this has become. I feel bad for all the vendors who are caught in the middle and will be the ones to suffer. Our beloved downtown market has lost its way.
You have probably received your 2019 property tax notice by now as the City mailed them out on Tuesday. “A typical single-family home, assessed at $399,500, will pay $3,628 in property taxes this year.” The payment deadline is June 30.
Mayor Iveson met with Premier Kenney before the throne speech, a meeting he described as “positive”. The mayor was looking for confirmation that funding for the west LRT won’t disappear along with the carbon tax, but he didn’t get it. “We didn’t secure that definitively today, so it’ll be a continuing conversation with government,” he said.
Council’s urban planning committee has directed Administration to start enforcing noisy vehicles. “This is costing the city in terms of health, in terms of economics,” Councillor Henderson said. “It’s just something we gotta stop.”
I am very much looking forward to downtown’s first playground, coming this summer to McKay Avenue School. Emily is going to love it.
Police chief Dale McFee says a rise in neighbourhood petty crime is a symptom of social woes. “Your crime issues in Edmonton are 100 per cent social issues,” he said.
An ETS bus driver became a star on social media briefly for helping an elderly passenger with her groceries. “It’s a lot of negative stories out there,” driver Chad Makar said. “Sometimes, a small gesture like this is good to… give some people some hope out there that there is some good gestures still being done in society.”
The Eskimos won their first pre-season game today against the B.C. Lions with a final score of 22-7.
The Prospects won their home-opener and the next game to start the season 2-0!
David Climenhaga has a feature on Dale the Street Preacher. “In addition to standing on a soapbox containing an electronic amplifier and preaching a rather strident version of the Christian gospel that doesn’t shy from blunt talk about hellfire, Dale is out there fighting for our fundamental constitutional rights to say what we think and worship as we wish, even if that means not worshipping at all.”
The federal government has announced up to $4.3 million for Canada Soccer to prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Edmonton is one of the candidate host cities.
Troy and I discussed a bunch of small-ish updates on the latest episode of Speaking Municipally.
Get the latest on Media, Tech, Food, Health Innovation, Music, Business, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.

Upcoming Events

The next Machine Learning 101 takes place at lunch on Tuesday at Amii.
The Edmonton Career Fair & Training Expo is at the Edmonton Convention Centre on Tuesday.
The 2nd annual RISE Reconciliation Film Festival runs Tuesday to Saturday at Metro Cinema in the Garneau Theatre.
Carrie Underwood performs at Rogers Place on Tuesday evening.
Nerd Nite Edmonton’s 50th show takes place on Tuesday evening at the ATB Financial Arts Barns.
The 2019 Edmonton Heritage Council AGM takes place on Wednesday evening at City Hall. It’s the tenth anniversary – see you there!
ConnectAd is hosting Ad Grants 101 on Thursday morning at Work Nicer Beaver House to help non-profits get free Google advertising.
The Edmonton Prospects host the Okotoks Dawgs on Thursday evening and the Brooks Bombers on both Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
High Level Line Society is hosting its AGM on Friday evening at the Edmonton Tower.
The Edmonton Craft Beer Festival takes place Friday and Saturday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
Bonnie Fest 2019 takes place on Saturday at Bonnie Doon Park.
Edmonton’s NextGen presents the Edmonton Timeraiser on Saturday evening at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre.
The Edmonton International Cat Festival is back for another year on Saturday at the Robbins Health Learning Centre at MacEwan. See you there!
FC Edmonton hosts Cavalry FC on Saturday at Clarke Field.
The Heart of the City Music & Arts Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at Giovanni Caboto Park.

Thanks for reading! Want to support my blog? Buy me a coffee!

Media Monday Edmonton: Update #347

Taproot Edmonton’s latest Media Roundup was published today. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Local updates from the Media Roundup

Here are a few select updates from today’s Media Roundup:

Postmedia has hired Nick Koolsbergen “to lobby the new United Conservative government on how it could be involved with the new “energy war room” promised by Kenney during the recent Alberta election campaign.” Koolsbergen served as Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s chief of staff from fall 2017 until August 2018 and as the UCP’s campaign manager during the election earlier this year. He announced the formation of Wellington Advocacy following the UCP victory.
Chris Henderson has announced that after 8 years at Calder Bateman (and later ZGM Marketing) he is leaving the organization. His last day was Wednesday, May 15. In his farewell post, he called it “the best place I have ever worked.” ZGM tweeted in response, “we can’t thank @ChrisHenderson enough for the immeasurable contributes he made..over the past 8 years.”
A new TV show called The Moment is currently filming at Union Hall here in Edmonton. The show features Alberta musicians and will broadcast on a new cable channel called Channel M.
Last Wednesday’s edition of Edmonton AM, scheduled to be broadcast live from the streets, turned out to be a wet one. “On a particularly rainy spring morning in Edmonton, there was nothing to do but dance, and make a little radio in the rain.”
Vintage Edmonton has dug up a number of ITV News at 10 clips from 1995.

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

Media-related updates from elsewhere

And here is some non-local media news that I found interesting this week:

The Boston Globe says digital subscribers surpassed weekday print subscriptions for the first time earlier this year. Another good sign for audience-pay!
From Nieman Journalism Lab: Why are so many people running for president and so few for mayor? Blame the media (and the Internet).
Krishna Bharat, the creator of Google News, shared some thoughts on the impact of AI on journalism and democracy. “I see AI giving journalists superpowers to scale themselves in time and space.”
I had to do a double-take on this headline: Microsoft and Sony are teaming up for the future of gaming.
According to new research, HBO NOW users are “twice as likely as those from any other streaming service to cancel their subscription when a specific show ends.” That’s not a good sign for HBO given the mixed reaction to the Game of Thrones finale.

At Taproot Edmonton we’re working hard to ensure that local journalism has a future in our city. Join us to be part of the movement.

Media Monday Edmonton: Update #346

Taproot Edmonton’s latest Media Roundup was published today. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Local updates from the Media Roundup

Here are a few select updates from today’s Media Roundup:

RTDNA Canada announced the winners of the National RTDNA Awards of Excellence on the weekend and three Edmonton stories were recognized: CBC Edmonton, CTV Edmonton, and Global News Radio 880.
Slav Kornik has left Global Edmonton after nine years to serve as head coach of the NAIT men’s basketball team. “It’s been a great place to work and a privilege to work with so many wonderful people,” he tweeted. Here’s a short clip with the morning crew.
SONiC 102.9’s Garner Andrews won the On Air Talent of the Year (Major Market) award at the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards in Toronto on Thursday.
Ryan Hastman has started a new job in the government and is leaving The Daveberta Podcast as a result. “We’ll be back in 1 week with a special blue ribbon panel of guest co-hosts,” they tweeted.
I spoke with Digital Alberta about the future of digital journalism. “Journalism is having a problem, and we need to innovate our way out of it.”

Mayor Don Iveson speaks with the media following his State of the City address

Media-related updates from elsewhere

And here is some non-local media news that I found interesting this week:

It seems that old media companies are flourishing while new media ventures are struggling. Why? One reason, argues Alex Sherman at CNBC, is that “nothing has been disrupted about media except the distribution model. Consumers want the same content as always.”
Quartz is now putting all of its articles behind a metered paywall. “The number of free Quartz articles you’ll get varies based on what the site perceives to be your likelihood of becoming a member, among other factors.”
A new guide from the Center for Journalism Ethics at the University of Wisconsin says that journalism should aim to be “morally justifiable and not purely extractive or voyeuristic.”
Cleveland.com is experimenting with text messages from reporters. “Almost 1,200 people have signed up for the free trial in addition to a few hundred paying customers.”
Lots of money is still going into TV advertising, even as consumers switch to streaming services. “Despite significant viewer shortfalls for traditional TV, the nation’s broadcast and cable networks saw advance ad commitments increase 5.2% to more than $20.7 billion in 2018, according to Media Dynamics, a media consultancy.”

At Taproot Edmonton we’re working hard to ensure that local journalism has a future in our city. Join us to be part of the movement.

Edmonton Notes for May 12, 2019

Happy Mother’s Day! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Mayor Iveson directed his State of the City address at the provincial government, saying that “Edmonton’s success is integral to Alberta’s success.” Here’s the full text and the video recording.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Edmonton on Friday and he promised that “we’re going to ensure is that nowhere across the country will it be free to pollute.” He also spoke with Mayor Iveson about funding for permanent supportive housing.
Police chief Dale McFee apologized to the LGBTQ community this week. “To the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and two-spirit community — both across the public and within our service — on behalf of the Edmonton Police Service, I am sorry and we are sorry,” he said.
Council is demanding quicker action on housing for homeless people with chronic addictions and mental health issues. “I just have no patience for these delays on an issue that we’ve identified so many times as critical and as a priority,” said Councillor Michael Walters.
Health City and AltaML have partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. to “develop a frailty index which clinicians can use to predict chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and mental health conditions.”
The Mayor’s Awards were presented last week recognizing individuals, groups and businesses making significant contributions and a difference for persons with disabilities in Edmonton.
The City has released a new Pesticide Public Notification Map to show where crews plan to apply pesticides and where crews have already treated for mosquitoes.
Councillor Michael Walters will be making a motion this week to “explore what 5G implementation would mean for Edmonton.”
It’s that time of year again, when motorcycles are revving their engines and making tons of noise. Motorcyclists can get a $250 fine for making too much noise, but that doesn’t seem to be much of a deterrent.
The Edmonton Stingers, our city’s new basketball team, won their debut game on Friday night in overtime. “The 1,500 or so in the stands at the Edmonton Expo Centre on opening day were treated to the first professional basketball game in the city since the now-defunct Edmonton Energy last took to the floor in the summer of 2012, with what was the International Basketball League.”
The CitiesIPCC Legacy Grant, sponsored by the City of Edmonton and Alberta Ecotrust, will provide up to $50,000 for climate-focused research projects. Applications are due by June 15.
A study conducted by Sportcal suggests that hosting the 2018 Grey Cup had a total economic impact of over $81 million for Edmonton.
Troy and I discussed parking regulations and the mayor’s State of the City address on the latest episode of Speaking Municipally.
Get the latest on Media, Tech, Food, Health Innovation, Music, Business, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.

GWG Building

Upcoming Events

MacEwan’s Social Innovation Institute is hosting the Enlightened Economy Summit on Tuesday at Roundhouse.
The 2019 AWE Awards Reception takes place on Tuesday evening at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
IDEA (Infill Development in Edmonton Association) is hosting its 2019 AGM on Tuesday evening at Homestead Coworking.
Junior Achievement Alberta’s Business Hall of Fame Gala Dinner takes place on Wednesday evening at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
Twenty One Pilots is performing at Rogers Place on Wednesday evening.
Startup Canada is in town hosting the Canadian Export Challenge and Startup Canada Awards, both on Thursday at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
Check out the Faculty of Extension’s 2019 Research Showcase on Thursday afternoon at City Hall.
Dark Matters takes place on Thursday evening at the TELUS World of Science with the theme of “Game On”.
The Downtown Business Association is hosting its 2019 Spring Luncheon on Thursday at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum Society is hosting a lecture on Thursday evening – International Museum Day – about Discovering Our Country.
The 124 Grand Market is back! Check it out on Thursday evening at 108 Avenue and 124 Street.
The St. Albert Amplify Festival presents Amplifying Ideas on Friday evening at the Art Gallery of St. Albert.
The City Market is moving to the street outside the GWG Building at 103 Avenue and 96 Street starting Saturday, May 18. The market will be open Saturday and Sunday this season!
Save the date: Nerd Nite Edmonton’s 50th show is coming up on May 28.

Thanks for reading! Want to support my blog? Buy me a coffee!

Media Monday Edmonton: Update #345

Taproot Edmonton’s latest Media Roundup was published today. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.

Local updates from the Media Roundup

Here are a few select updates from today’s Media Roundup:

The National Media Awards Foundation has unveiled the finalists for the 42nd National Magazine Awards which will be presented on May 31 in Toronto. Edmonton-based photographer Amber Bracken has been recognized for two photographs.
Conservative MP Kerry Diotte has settled his defamation lawsuit against The Gateway. The student newspaper posted an apology and retraction.
Hunter Cardinal, Director of Story at Naheyawin, will emcee the 2019 Edmonton International Cat Festival!
Edmonton-based filmmaker Raoul Bhatt served as director of photography for the official Emmys Red Carpet Backstage show on Sunday.
StarMetro Edmonton reporter Omar Mosleh was featured on Episode 72 of the City of Champions podcast.

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

Media-related updates from elsewhere

And here is some non-local media news that I found interesting this week:

“In truth, freelance journalism, as a career, is mostly an anachronism,” writes Jacob Silverman at The New Republic. “Given the rock-bottom rates on offer, few writers actually support themselves with full-time freelancing.”
Amazon is reportedly “on a crusade” to build a video advertising business. Meanwhile, Vox reports that Amazon wants to pay the New York Times and BuzzFeed to expand show it can reach more shoppers outside the US.
From the Wall Street Journal: In News Industry, a Stark Divide Between Haves and Have-Nots
From The New Yorker: Jack Dorsey’s TED Interview and the End of an Era. “As Dorsey pivoted from non-answer to non-answer, it was hard not to wonder whether, despite his appearance of media-savvy calm, he wasn’t in over his head.”
NPR has changed the theme music for Morning Edition for the first time in 40 years, and surprise-surprise, people hate change.

At Taproot Edmonton we’re working hard to ensure that local journalism has a future in our city. Join us to be part of the movement.

Edmonton Notes for May 5, 2019

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Council approved the municipal tax rate for 2019, resulting in a 2.6% increase. The numbers include security for the Exhibition Lands, enforcement of the Animal Protection Act, a small increase for Startup Edmonton to retain student talent, and an investment in the downtown district energy system.
Council approved the City’s $517 million contribution to the Valley Line West LRT and Metro Line Northwest on Tuesday. “Both projects now have funding support from all three levels of government, with the provincial and federal commitments at roughly 40 per cent each and the city kicking in the remaining 20 per cent.”
Police chief Dale McFee delivered a long-awaited apology to the LGBTQ2+ community on Friday. “To the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and two-spirit community — both across the public and within our service — on behalf of the Edmonton Police Service, I am sorry and we are sorry,” said McFee. EPS has launched a LGBTQ2S+ Consultation and Reconciliation Portal. You can watch the apology on Facebook.
FC Edmonton won its debut game in the Canadian Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Valour FC. Their first home game will take place on Sunday against Pacific FC.
The proposed land swap in Oliver from Abbey Lane Homes was rejected 10-3 at public hearing last week. “Ward 6 Coun. Scott McKeen said that he didn’t feel the green space was being properly valued through the proposed swap.”
A new 58-storey slim tower proposed for the small park in front of the Hotel Macdonald is also being cooly received. It has yet to go to public hearing.
Did you know that Edmonton has a paper straw manufacturer? Royal Paper Industries Ltd. says it is producing 1.5 million straws per day!
The intersection at 101 Street and 102 Avenue will be closed from May 10 to June 7 for construction of the Valley Line LRT.
From Ciara Farmer in The Gateway: Hostile design should have no place in Edmonton.
The City’s Big Bin Events will run from May 4 to September 22 to let residents recycle or dispose of large household items. “Last year 11,723 customers attended the events, disposing of 1,262 tonnes of large waste items and 549 tonnes of recyclable items.”
Kaetlyn Osmond has announced her retirement from figure skating. “Leaving competition is terrifying, but I am excited to see what else life has to offer,” she said.
I love this: Edmontonian Doug Hoyer had a very small cameo in Avengers: Endgame. “It was the hardest acting I’ve ever had to do, just staring at nothing and looking impressed.”
Troy and I discussed speed reduction plans and central towers on the latest episode of Speaking Municipally.
Get the latest on Media, Tech, Food, Health Innovation, Music, Business, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.
Premier Jason Kenney and his cabinet were sworn in at Government House on April 30. Here are the deputy ministers and other senior officials. The first order of business, as promised, would give Alberta “powers to restrict the export of natural gas, crude oil and refined fuels across its borders to ensure maximum value of these resources for Albertans and to help manage the lack of pipeline capacity.”

Premier Jason Kenney and Cabinet Swearing-In Ceremony, photo by Government of Alberta

Upcoming Events

Mayor Don Iveson will deliver his 2019 State of the City Address on Wednesday at lunchtime at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
Green Drinks: YEG Festivals takes place on Wednesday evening at Yellowhead Brewery.
The Edmonton Real Estate Forum takes place on Thursday at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
124 Grand Market kicks off its 2019 season on Thursday evening at 108 Avenue and 124 Street.
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is hosting a tour of the historic McKay Avenue School on Thursday evening.
Royal Bison’s spring Art & Craft Fair runs Friday to Sunday at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre.
The Edmonton Rock & Gem Show runs Friday to Sunday at the Alberta Aviation Museum.
Dinner with Canada’s Top Chefs takes place on Saturday evening at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
The City is hosting Get Ready in the Park 2019 on Saturday at Hawrelak Park.
The Edmonton Bike Swap takes place Saturday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
FC Edmonton hosts Pacific FC at Clarke Field on Sunday afternoon.
Culina is hosting a Ukrainian Pop Up Dinner on Sunday evening at The Foundry Room inside The Oliver Exchange.
Save the date: Nerd Nite Edmonton’s 50th show is coming up on May 28.

Thanks for reading! Want to support my blog? Buy me a coffee!

Local updates from the Media Roundup

Media-related updates from elsewhere

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Local updates from the Media Roundup

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Local updates from the Media Roundup

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Local updates from the Media Roundup

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