Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• Karen and I announced Taproot Edmonton last week, and we’re pretty thrilled with the initial response! Taproot is our attempt to figure out what the future of local journalism looks like. We’d love for you to join us by becoming a member!
• At the CAJ conference last week, it was mostly doom and gloom for local news. “I think local news is so screwed,” said one panelist. Obviously Karen and I disagree!
• Trish Audette-Longo and Brian Gorman wrote about the importance of journalism to a community, as demonstrated by the Fort McMurray wildfires. “Journalists are storytellers, and that is very important work. It involves more than just gathering facts and repeating them. It is about selecting, organizing and interpreting those facts so they make some kind of sense.”
• Reporters from Fort McMurray Today left their home on May 3 but haven’t missed a single day of printing. “With the help of our generous hosts at the Edmonton Journal, Sun and Examiner offices, we have been able to carry on with our jobs and bring some sense of normalcy back to our daily life.”
• “A baby girl, born just days after her parents were forced to flee a wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta., will forever bear the name of a CBC reporter who helped document the disaster from the front lines.” Baby Briar was named after CBC reporter Briar Stewart.
• Sportsnet is donating $400,000 to NAIT to fund “scholarships as well as support multimedia and digital media training, development and production.” More details will be announced tomorrow afternoon.
• If you missed last week’s Journalist Interrupted panel, here’s a liveblog from J-Source.
• Sam Brooks is moving on from Capital Ideas. His next adventure will be revealed later this summer, and it appears it’ll be with a startup of some kind!
• Congrats to Capital Ideas on winning the “Best New Concept to Incubate Products or Ideas” category at the INMA Global Media Awards.
• Episode 41 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Jess Holt, “the wry wit and graphic designer by trade who offers a raw, insightful look at life as the mother of twins on Grace & Champ.”
• Marty Forbes was in New York City recently and caught up with former Edmontonian Pat Kiernan.
• Edmonton-based Allarco Entertainment owes creditors $115 million and has been granted bankruptcy protection. The company owns Super Channel and Shine FM.
• Stanley Burke died of a heart attack Saturday at the age of 93. Early in his career he worked for the Edmonton Bulletin. “His biggest scoop was applying for and receiving driver’s licences for a dog, a goat and a duck (the province reformed its licensing law after that embarrassment).”
• Bell Media is looking for a part-time casual writer/web reporter. The deadline to apply is June 3.
• CKUA is looking for a Digital Content Editor “to participate in planning, creating, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating CKUA’s web and social media content.” The deadline to apply is June 8.

Mayor Don Iveson getting ready to scrum

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

• Here are Linda’s latest social media notes. She linked to Buffer’s blog post which shares some lessons from studying over 16 million posts on social media.
• At the CAJ conference last week, “a new fellowship aimed at improving the skills of Indigenous journalists” was announced. Full details on the program are expected within the next few months.
• Albertans will soon have an alternative to Telus and Shaw when Ontario-based VMedia launches in Edmonton and Calgary on June 15.
• Huffington Post Canada celebrated its fifth birthday last week. “We’re now publishing 1,500 pieces of content a day in 10 languages on our platform, and we have more than 35 million followers globally on Facebook. Here in Canada, we’re the most popular digital news-brand with Canadian readers.”
• HuffPo aren’t the only ones publishing a crazy amount of content per day. The Washington Post posts an average of 1,200 things per day, and even the New York Times and Wall Street Journal post quite a bit.
• This video shows you the “most complete and functioning Gutenberg Press in the world.” Neat!

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!

You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here.

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• There’s still time to register for Journalist Interrupted on Thursday evening! Brian Gorman will moderate a panel featuring Jorge Barrera, Linda Solomon Wood, Kelly Toughill, and Karen Unland. “Whether you are a working journalist, a former journalist, a blogger, a podcaster, a student, a communications pro or simply a citizen interested in how to create an informed public, you will come away with a better understanding of the current challenges and new ways to imagine what comes next.” There’s even a Twitter account!
• Karen Unland was on Dinner TV recently talking about changes to the media landscape and what happens to journalism as a result. She gives a preview of the panel too.
• Edmonton is going to be full of journalists this week, with the Canadian Association of Journalists’ annual national conference taking place from May 27-28.
• Also taking place this week is the 2016 National Conference, “co-hosted by Newspapers Canada, the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association (AWNA) and the Association de la presse francophone (APF).”
• Here is the final Dress Me Dearly post. The fashion blog has been a staple in Edmonton since 2009. As previously noted, Janis is now going to focus on her PR agency Publicity Room. She’ll also do some freelance writing on the side. Congrats and best wishes Janis!
• NAIT’s techlife magazine featured Meg Morrison, Liam Johnson, Tyson Dolynny, Brandon Rhiness, and Su-Ling Goh, all graduates of the Radio and Television program.
• Here is Michael Hingston’s final book review for the Journal. He wrote at the end: “After some four years on the job as the Journal’s books columnist, I’ve decided to step away from the position as of, well, today. This was my last one! I’m off to focus on other kinds of writing. If you’re so inclined, you can always reach me through the below-noted channels. Thanks for reading.” You can follow him on Twitter here.
• Great photo of the CTV Morning Live crew saying farewell to Kim Wynn, who is off to CTV Vancouver.
• Haven’t been able to find anything else on this yet, but Marty Forbes reports that Dave Simmons, a former DJ with 630 CHED, has passed away.
• Metro Edmonton is looking for both a Reporter/Photographer and a Digital Sales Specialist.
• Clothes But Not Quite is planning a return to regular blogging starting June 1! Joelle’s blog went on hiatus back in 2014 while she dealt with a recurring medical condition. Glad to have you back!
• Local photographer Melissa Trotter is getting quite a bit of attention for her striking photo called “Blood Dress”.
• Seen and Heard in Edmonton is on break this week, but here is the latest blog roundup and the latest podcast roundup. Lots to explore!

Premier Rachel Notley meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Provincial Operations Centre in Edmonton on May 13, 2016. Photo by Premier of Alberta.

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

• In her latest social media notes, Linda highlights that Reddit will now make it easier to embed posts around the web. The front page of the Internet, everywhere!
• FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said that the TV business us at a “make or break” point last week at INTX, an “annual event held by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association.”
• Here’s Margaret Sullivan in the Washington Post: “I’m especially drawn to the need for journalism that is transparent, honest, aggressive and deep, using all the new tools and with a great sense of openness on how to present the work to an ever-more-digital audience.”
• BuzzFeed is building a new team to experiment with news video. “In the same way that BuzzFeed started out focused on lighter content like listicles and then moved into narrative and investigative journalism, the company is taking steps to insert more news into its video operations.”
• Talk about a winning deal: starting in September, “Netflix will become the exclusive U.S. pay-TV home of the latest films from Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm and Pixar.”

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!

You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here.

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• From Marty Forbes: “Bouquets to each and every Edmonton media outlet for the amazing Fort McMurray fire coverage.”
• Episode 70 of the Canadaland podcast features Vincent McDermott and Cullen Bird from Fort McMurray Today .
• The 2016 Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards were handed out in Toronto recently. No local winners, but lots of local nominees: 100.3 The Bear’s Jessica Jackson and Sonic 102.9’s Brandy Taylor for Music Director Major Market, Sonic 102.9’s Garner Andrews and HOT 107’s Ryder in the Morning for On Air Talen Major Market, 100.3 The Bear’s Rob Vavrek for Program Director Major Market, and lots of station nominations.
• From Cam Tait, here’s a tribute to Jerry Forbes. “Mr. Forbes is synonymous to giving in Edmonton, now three decades after his death.H e passed away Sept. 26, 1981 — three months after he retired from CHED — at 58.”
• Episode 40 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Alyssa Lau, “the blogger who shares her unique and striking approach to style at Ordinary People.”
• Friday was Jason Halbauer’s last day at Dinner TV and City Television. Sounds like he is moving on to CTV Edmonton. Congrats Jason!
• Chris Coughlin is taking over as News Director at 93.1 The One in Leduc. Thomas William has been promoted to News Director at 88.1 The One in Parkland, Coughlin’s previous post.
• Edmonton Unplugged airs twice daily on Shaw TV and host Douglas Mitchell plays in a band called VERA that will be on an upcoming episode. Since he can’t interview himself, Edmonton Unplugged is looking for a guest host! You have until May 31 to submit your application.
• A Celebration of Life for Patrick Cardinal will take place on May 25 at MKT. It would have been Pat’s 55th birthday.
• Virgin Edmonton’s Chris Kelly emceed the #YEGsemicolon event over the weekend, and even got his own tattoo!
• Congratulations to Global Edmonton’s Carole Anne Devaney on the news that she is expecting her second child! “The belly certainly has become harder and harder to hide behind the news desk,” she wrote.
• CTV Edmonton is looking for a Reporter/Anchor. The deadline to apply is May 19.
• EEDC is currently recruiting for a Social Media Engagement Specialist. The deadline to apply is May 20.
• Wild TV “is Canada’s #1 Outdoor Lifestyle channel” and they’re looking for both a Programming Director and a Production Assistant.
• The Bonnyville Nouvelle and Lakeland Regional is looking for a general assignment Senior Reporter/Photographer.
• The next Edmonton Podcasting Meetup takes place on Sunday, May 29 at Variant Edition Comics and features Jeff Samsonow from Capital Ideas Edmonton.
• Speaking of Capital Ideas, the next event is Wednesday at the Edmonton Journal!
• See you on Thursday next week at the Journalist Interrupted panel taking place at MacEwan.
• The panel has of course been planned to coincide with the Canadian Association of Journalists’ annual conference, taking place at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel from May 27-29.

Premier Rachel Notley meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on May 13, photo by Premier of Alberta

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

• Linda points out in her latest social media notes that Twitter will soon stop counting photos and links in the 140 character limit for tweets.
• Postmedia CEO Paul Godfrey wants the federal government to subsidize the newspaper industry. Thomas Walkom argues that “Ottawa has been in the business of quietly helping Canadian publications for more than a century.”
• Sirius XM wants to take the Canadian business private, but the deal is facing opposition from minority shareholders. Also, fun fact, CBC currently owns 12.5% of Sirius XM Canada but would sell it under the proposal.
• Podcasting is surging lately, but it seems many podcasters are unhappy with Apple’s grip on the market.
• Does your smartphone have a dormant FM tuner? My old Windows Phone had FM radio functionality enabled, but I can’t say that I used it much.
• Here is some really interesting news from San Francisco: “Next month, media organizations in the Bay Area are planning to put aside their rivalries and competitive instincts for a day of coordinated coverage on the homeless crisis in the city.”

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!

You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here.

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• There has been a lot of love on Twitter for the media’s coverage of the Fort McMurray wildfires. Today journalists were given an escorted tour of the city along with Premier Rachel Notley.
• Here’s a behind-the-scenes on how CTV News is covering the Fort McMurray wildfires featuring Breanna Karstens-Smith and Bill Fortier.
• From CBC Edmonton, here are some of the stories behind the coverage with Briar Steward, Trevor Wilson, Rick Bremness, Terry Rieth, and Marion Warnica.
• Elise Stolte wrote about social media as “the unofficial emergency broadcast system of the Fort McMurray wildfire crisis.” Here’s another feature on the Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s Twitter account.
• If you haven’t aleady read it, don’t miss Theresa E Wells’ piece on the wildfires. She had just ended her local Fort McMurray blog called McMurray Musings a few days before the wildfires struck.
• Like many other organizations, plenty of media companies have stepped forward to offer assistance to those affected by the wildfires. For instance, Corus teamed up with the Edmonton Food Bank for #FeedTheFort and Shaw announced it will credit all Fort McMurray customers for one month of service.
• Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 ROSIE Awards. Tiny Plastic Men’s Mark Meer and Blackstone’s Jordyn White both won best performance awards.
• Here’s a Hall of Fame tribute to Patrick Cardinal presented by Rogers Imaging.
• Episode 39 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Nathan Terlesky, “one half of the soccer-loving duo that chats about FC Edmonton and other football-related matters on the Loyal Company of the River Valley podcast.”
• Apparently Edmontonians throw out 51,000 TVs every year. Is that because we’re all upgrading or because we’ve switched to mobile devices?
• Culinaire Magazine launched in Edmonton on Thursday evening. Liane has the scoop.
• Venture Publishing is looking for a Managing Editor “to support titles in its contract publishing division.”
• WHERE Edmonton has openings for both an editorial intern and a photography intern. May 13 is the deadline to apply for both opportunities.
• Here’s another friendly reminder to register for the Journalist Interrupted event taking place on May 26!

Premier Rachel Notley talks to reporters outside the Anzac evacuation centre, photo by Premier of Alberta

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

• In her latest social media notes, Linda links to a great read on the importance of social media in times of crisis.
• BCE Inc. has agreed to buy Manitoba Telecom Services for $3.9 billion. MTS is the largest phone, internet, and wireless company in Manitoba. Critics say the deal will mean higher prices for consumers.
• Here is the Government of Canada’s pre-consultation questionnaire for the Strengthening Canadian Content Creation, Discovery and Export in a Digital World initiative. It will be available until May 20.
• To celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, CTV has ordered “the two-hour event broadcast CANADA IN A DAY, from Vancouver-based Screen Siren Pictures.” The show will be “comprised entirely of footage shot by Canadians across the nation on a single day later this year.” Follow @canadainaday on Twitter for updates.
• Google has announced the introduction of a new Local Source tag in Google News to help shine a light on local news reporting.
• From Gizmodo: Here’s what happened when Facebook hired some journalists.

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!

You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here.