Media Monday Edmonton: Update #125

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

The Local Good is looking for a new social media consultant as Breanna Mroczek is moving to Calgary to take over as editor of Where Magazine. Congrats Breanna!
The Wanderer Online is back with a new website and a new team.
The Noteworthy has featured writer Omar Mouallem. His journalism advice is to learn how to listen!
PrairieSeen, which is a great blog focused on the local arts scene, has launched a new magazine called PrairieSeen Notes. Check out the first issue here.
If you’re reading this, you probably already know Brittney Le Blanc, but just in case you don’t, get to know her with this feature from APEX PR.
E-Town takes place on Thursday and Friday this week, and event partner Capital Ideas Edmonton is hosting a workshop on how to get your story told. Sounds like a great lineup of speakers too!
From Marty Forbes, here are some updates on recent moves in the local media scene.
The second season of Food Network’s Donut Showdown debuted tonight and features two local donut-makers: Bliss Baked Goods and Moonshine Donuts.
I really admire Adam’s dedication with his video adventures! He participated in VEDA, which is Vlog Every Day in August. Here’s what he learned.
Stantec’s new building might have made a splash here in Edmonton, but it failed to capture the attention of journalists in the rest of the country.
There are still some Ice Bucket Challenges coming in. Here’s one from Avenue Edmonton editor Steven Sandor.
Fun photo to celebrate Global Edmonton’s 40th anniversary! In case you missed it, here’s my contribution to the anniversary celebrations.
Edmonton animator Riley Beach will be developing a new video series called Sterile Atomic Fly. You can check out the pilot on YouTube here.
There’s a new web miniseries called “7 days of YEG fitness” that highlights Edmonton’s fitness community.
I’m loving all the great blog posts that Karen highlights in her weekly roundup. Here’s the latest.
Catch up on all the latest social media news in Linda’s weekly roundup.
Well look at that, a comic on local radio from Chad Huculak!
Sun Media is looking for a multimedia reporter to join the Leduc Rep. They’re also looking for a special sections reporter here in Edmonton.
Rogers and Shaw are teaming up to launch shomi, a new subscription video-on-demand service that will be available on mobile, the web, and consoles and set top boxes. It’ll launch in November at a price of $8.99 per month, and will feature 14,000 episodes from 340 TV series as well as 1,200 movies. You can learn more here.
If you can’t beat them in the marketplace, try the courtroom. At least that’s what the CRTC appears to be doing on behalf of traditional broadcasters. They’re also looking at “pick-and-pay” options for TV, which everyone else just calls a la carte television. You can see all the latest news from the CRTC’s Let’s Talk TV event here.
The CRTC also released its 2014 Communications Monitoring Report, which is essentially its state of the broadcasting sector. The report shows that in 2013, time spent watching traditional TV declined across all age groups.

Lots of cell phones in the scrums these days!

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.

Edmonton Notes for 9/7/2014

This week I have been collecting links to articles, news releases, and blog posts using the new curation functionality at ShareEdmonton. You can see my links here. Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Mayor Iveson blogged about the City’s relationship with the Province on Wednesday, saying that the Province treats cities “like children”. He says we’re long overdue for “a grown-up conversation” with the Province.
No surprise here: Jim Prentice handily won the leadership race for Alberta’s PC Party. Plus, Dave takes a look at 20 years of Alberta by-elections.
Calgary’s Joe Ceci and Edmonton’s Michael Phair collaborated to write a three-part series on municipal governance. Here’s part two, and here’s part three.
The Katz Group is looking to buy a block of 103 Street in order to build an underground parking garage. The street would stay open to drivers most of the time, but could be closed for special events.
The City and Leduc County met last week to discuss the proposed annexation. They agreed the meeting was “amicable” and will meet again at the end of October.
Communities lose out when children are not present, says Alex Zabjek. Couldn’t agree more! Mixed use and a mix of people is the way to go.
Here are the latest urbanism headlines from Spacing Edmonton!
Classes for the next Planning Academy session start on September 23.
Edmonton is now growing faster than Calgary. Which is only marginally interesting – both cities are growing incredibly quickly.
Want to watch the Edmonton Oilers on TV this season? You’re going to need seven channels to do so.
Seven University of Alberta faculty members were included in the 2014 Highly Cited Researchers list, compiled by Thomas Reuters.
The City is recognizing the efforts of Capital City Clean Up volunteers. Nice work everyone!
Should Edmonton cut back on less used bus routes and use those resources to create a network of high frequency routes instead? In a word, yes.
Artist in residence Jennie Vegt has been capturing City Council and its work in a series of paintings on display at City Hall. A final exhibition will take place this winter.
For more headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Jim Prentice wins the leadership of Alberta’s PC Party, photo by Dave

Upcoming Events

The week kicks off with the latest Make Something Monday event at Startup Edmonton. This week’s theme is YEG Food.
There’s still one opportunity to attend a Blatchford open house, on Tuesday evening at the Chateau Nova Hotel & Suites.
On Wednesday, City Council will be discussing options for a Municipal Land Corporation, they’ll get an update on the City’s finances, and they’ll look at multi-year budgeting, among other things.
The E-Town Festival is back, taking place on Thursday and Friday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
Alberta Avenue comes alive on the weekend with the 2014 edition of the Kaleido Family Arts Festival!
We hope to see you at Churchill Square on Friday night for our final What the Truck?! event of the year! You can see the menus here.
The Eskimos host the Alouettes on Friday at Commonwealth Stadium.
Hawkers Market moves to Latitude 53 on Saturday, with special guests The Nulls.
The City is hosting another Big Bin Event this weekend, at the Southwest District Yard.
For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Tour of Alberta 2014, photo by IQRemix

Media Monday Edmonton: After 40 years, what’s next for Global Edmonton?

It was forty years ago today that Global Edmonton first went on the air. Then known as “Independent Television” or ITV, the channel was founded by Dr. Charles Allard. Through a series of acquisitions, the channel joined the Global family on September 4, 2000, and is today owned by Shaw Media. Over the years, Global Edmonton has been a big part of the lives of many Edmontonians, and indeed Canadians around the country. As Global Edmonton looks back on 40 years, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask about what’s next.

Tim & Michael
Global Edmonton GM Tim Spelliscy & News Director Michael Fulmes, photo courtesy of Global Edmonton

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Michael Fulmes, News Director for Global Edmonton, to do just that. Michael is an industry veteran, starting his career in 1978 with CKCK Television in Regina. He joined Global Edmonton in the 2000s, first as Managing Editor before settling into his current role. In 2011, Michael was honored with a Distinguished Service Award from RTNDA Canada.

I wanted to know what Michael thought of the ever-changing media landscape. Without skipping a beat, he told me “this is the most dynamic, exciting time since the industry began!” And what about Global Edmonton’s place in that dynamic landscape? “We’re no longer broadcasters, we’re distributors of news and information,” he said, noting that the organization is now multi-platform, with a big emphasis on online content.

The future of the six o’clock news

That said, Michael made it clear that he doesn’t see conventional TV going away anytime soon. But surely the six o’clock news is dying, I suggested. Michael countered that with high ratings and great advertising demand, the flagship newscast is doing just fine. “Based on our metrics, Global Edmonton is number one in all newscasts in all demos,” he said. As for the six o’clock news, he said he doesn’t foresee the audience diminishing greatly, but did admit “there is some drifting.”

ITV red logo
This is the logo I grew up with

Global Edmonton is committed to ensuring the six o’clock news remains number one, Michael said, but added “we have to be adaptable.” He cited the 24/7 demand for news as one factor, and an increasing array of platform and technology choices as another. “Gone are the days that the viewer tunes into a regular schedule,” he declared. “We have to recognize our viewers are moving very fast.”

The future of news production

Given the emphasis that Global Edmonton is placing on online content production today, I asked Michael why it took so long for television channels to embrace online video. “We were slow in bringing video to the web,” he agreed. But they’ve turned the ship around completely, in Michael’s view. “I’m blown away,” he said. “For example, we have the largest number of Facebook followers now, it’s a testament to our online efforts.”

Is there room for Instagram, Snapchat, and other future services to play a role in Global Edmonton’s news distribution? “Absolutely,” Michael said. “We have to find new ways to follow [our audience], but respect the fact that our future is with local.”

Like other television channels, Global Edmonton has increasingly made use of new technologies like video from mobile phones, Google Earth, Skype, and others. “It’s because put in the right context, it’s the right thing to do,” Michael said. “That and the quality of those things has become so much better.” He added that techniques like the jump cut have also become more accepted over time.

The future of local news

Throughout our conversation, Michael mentioned the importance of local coverage. He turned to ITV’s founding to help explain. “It wasn’t just about launching an independent TV channel,” he said. “It was about connecting with the community and servicing that community.” Michael believes that connecting with the community for forty years gives Global Edmonton an edge against potential upstarts. “The more experience, the more you’ve done, the better able you are to move forward,” he said.

ITV original logo
The original ITV logo

That’s not to say it’ll be easy. “What’s difficult is staying connected with the community because they’re moving so fast!” He also mentioned the shift in attitudes toward brands. “The younger people of today don’t devote that brand loyalty the same way their parents did,” Michael said.

The irony of their name notwithstanding, Michael was clear about what it’ll take for Global Edmonton to compete in the future. “What’s going to distinguish us from everybody else is our ability to stay local and to cover our community.”

The future of Global Edmonton

I asked him to prognosticate about Global Edmonton over the next forty years. In the near-term, he said 4K video “is coming” but suggested it doesn’t make sense to rush out and buy a compatible TV today. “No one is producing content for it yet,” he said. But he knows technology will march forward. “It’s going so fast, it doesn’t surprise anybody anymore.”

Looking further ahead, Michael was thoughtful. “I have no doubt that Global Edmonton will be around for years to come,” he said. “But it’ll be a different monster.” It’s hard to predict the future, but when pressed, Michael suggested communication will be omnipresent, giving us the opportunity to “exchange communication at a moment’s notice.”

Even though the technology will change, Michael is confident that Global Edmonton will have a place in Edmonton’s future. “We are journalists because we have an insatiable curiosity, and our viewers have an insatiable appetite for news and information,” he said. “Whether you’re a reader, listener, watcher – we’re content providers and will continue to be.”

Edmonton Notes for 8/31/2014

Happy long weekend! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Edmonton’s population is now 877,926. In case you missed it, here’s my overview of the 2014 Municipal Census results.
There have been so many athletes in Edmonton this week for the World Triathlon! Hometown favorite Paula Findlay finished 15th in the Elite Women’s final, a strong finish considering she has been dealing with injuries.
It was another big week for downtown! Stantec unveiled its new headquarters, a 62-story building to be located in the heart of the new arena district. And then we finally got some additional details on what else will be in the district. Be sure to check out the website for more.
I’ll have more on this soon, but a perception survey conducted by the Downtown Business Association found that 62% of respondents have a positive outlook for downtown.
Congratulations to the Fringe on another record-breaking year! The festival sold 118,280 tickets to 211 indoor shows, with attendance to the site dropping a bit to 665,750.
Here’s an awesome feature from the Journal: 40 things made or invented in Edmonton.
I was very disappointed to hear that the province has initially rejected a proposal for a regional transit smart card. “I’m quite hopeful that they’re going to reconsider,” said Mayor Iveson. The project wouldn’t be able to move forward without the Green Trip funding.
From Spacing Edmonton, here are the latest urbanism headlines for August 25-31.
Heads up! ETS fall service changes take effect today. Basically that means kids are back in school and regular service on all routes has been restored.
And speaking of back to school, school zones around elementary schools come into effect on September 2. You’ll need to slow to 30 km/h between 8am and 4:30pm. You can learn more about the change here. There’s even a Transforming Edmonton post about it.
Okay, lots of back to school news. Kids are being encouraged to BYOD – bring your own device. Elementary schools now have video surveillance cameras installed. Be prepared for long bus rides!
The Oilers have agreed to terms with Justin Schultz on a one-year contract.
Should Council take another look at the proposal to save the old Walterdale Bridge?
Will Edmonton welcome Uber? Omar takes a look at the complicated issue.

97 Street Night Market

Upcoming Events

The closing ceremonies for the 2014 World Triathlon Grand Final take place at the Shaw Conference Centre on Monday evening!
It’s Country Music Week in Edmonton! The festivities run from September 4 through 7, with the awards show taking place at Rexall Place on Sunday!
The Open Government Tour makes a stop in Edmonton on Wednesday evening at the Union Bank Inn.
The Tour of Alberta comes to Edmonton this week! Stages 3, 4, and 5 take place in and around Edmonton. The finish line on Sunday will be at Churchill Square.
Saturday is CornFest at Beaver Hills park!
It’s battle of Alberta time on Saturday as the Eskimos host the Stampeders at Commonwealth Stadium.
Have some large materials to get rid of? The City’s next Big Bin Event takes place on Saturday and Sunday in Kennedale.
Heads up: the next Make Something Mondays event is scheduled for the 8th and is focused on food.
We hope to see you on Friday, September 12 in Churchill Square for our final What the Truck?! of the season!
The date for the annual Oilers rookies vs. Golden Bears game has been set: September 17 at Clare Drake Arena.
For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Symphony in the City, see more here

Edmonton Notes for 8/24/2014

Well that was a busy weekend! Both the 97 Street Night Market and the ImMACulate Garden Party were fun, thanks to everyone who attended! For Sharon and I, there’s now just one big What the Truck?! event before our September wedding. Check out some engagement photos we took with Moments in Digital Photography here.

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

United Airlines is ending flights between Edmonton and New York as of October 24. The flight to Newark began in May 2013. EIA says we shouldn’t be too concerned, because United Airlines is “heavily invested in Edmonton” with other routes.
The Great Neighbourhoods Capital Program is investing $15 million in 18 neighbourhoods this year. Stony Plain, Jasper Place, and Alberta Avenue are among the areas receiving upgrades.
Whyte Avenue could become car free on Friday and Saturday nights at least for a few hours if a new pilot project goes ahead. You can fill out a survey on the idea here.
2015 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Edmonton Rush, and the club has announced a logo contest with the winning logo featured on all team jerseys next year. Hard to believe it has already been 10 years!
On Tuesday the Oilers announced that the entire roster of the 1984 Stanley Cup Champion team will reunite on October 10 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of our city’s first Stanley Cup victory. Tickets sold out in less than one hour.
Here’s a look at EPCOR’s service by the numbers. For example: “There are about 55,000 wood power poles in Edmonton, of which we inspect 11,000 each year. So, each pole is checked every five years for rot, damage, splitting or physical damage.”
Justin Trudeau was in Edmonton speaking to supporters recently. David Climenhaga says you shouldn’t dismiss him.
Four more bus routes are getting Smart Bus technology: 3, 10, 11, and 112. By the end of November, about a third of Edmonton Transit’s fleet will be equipped with the necessary technology.
The C-Line has been replaced with an expanded and rebranded Leduc Transit service, which begins regular operation on September 2. The City of Leduc will pay 65% of the operating cost, with Leduc County contributing the remaining 35%.
Officials from the rideshare app Uber reportedly met with City officials this week. Apparently Edmonton’s $75 minimum fare for limousine rides (enacted to prevent limos from competing with taxis) is currently preventing Uber’s expansion to Edmonton.
Could Whyte Avenue be getting a late-night food truck alley? The idea has been proposed.
This is a fun read: Avenue Edmonton sent correspondent Omar Mouallem to the year 2033 to report on the future of commuting.
Also, Omar says the Walterdale Bridge preservation plan deserves a fair review.
Here’s an interview with mayor Don Iveson about transforming Edmonton.
From Linda, here are the top 26 Edmonton Instagram users you should follow!
The Fringe wrapped up today and organizers are hopeful that great weather over the final weekend could put the final numbers over last year. We should know early this week! You can read about the holdovers here.

Edmonton City Centre, photo by IQRemix

Upcoming Events

The World Triathlon Grand Final comes to town on Monday! The event runs through September 1. Here are the road closures and detours you need to be aware of.
The 2014 Canada 55+ Games kick off in Strathcona County on Thursday.
On Thursday evening, the Telus World of Science is hosting Dark Matters. The theme this time is Aliens & Cowboys.
Friday is Bacon Day at LUX. The fifth annual event raises money for YESS.
In place of Symphony Under the Sky this year, the ESO is hosting Symphony in the City at Churchill Square! Disney in Concert takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Celtic Colours with The McDades takes place on Sunday evening. All concerts are free!
The 2014 edition of SONiC BOOM kicks off on Friday and runs through Sunday at Northlands.
The first ever Edmonton Reggae Festival takes place on Saturday at Louise McKinney Park from noon until 10pm!
FC Edmonton hosts Minnesota United FC on Sunday at Clarke Stadium!
Save the date for our final What the Truck?! of the year – our biggest ever, with 25 trucks, on September 12 at Churchill Square!
From Frugal Edmonton Mama, here are 21 end of summer family friendly Edmonton activities!
For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

2014 Fringe Performers Parade, photo by Robert

Media Monday Edmonton: Update #123

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

You’ve no doubt come across the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge by now. My favorite is probably Bill Gates, but local media celebs have started participating too. Here’s Global Edmonton’s Gord Steinke, CTV Edmonton’s Josh Classen, CTV Morning Live’s Rob Williams and Kim Wynn, Virgin 104.9’s Beckler, Breakfast Television’s Bridget Ryan, and Global Edmonton’s Mike Sobel. Who have I missed? While we’re on the subject, TSN’s James Duthie had a pretty epic photoset too.
Well, it turns out that TV show featuring Mike Nickel didn’t go away just because the crowdfunding campaign failed. To The Point with Mike Nickel appears to be a thing, with the pilot episode coming September 2. For some reason, Kathleen Smith (KikkiPlanet) and Dan St. Pierre are also involved (not to mention cameos by Thomas Lukaszuk and Raj Sherman). Here’s more on the video series in the Journal. And here’s the video:

Faces of Edmonton recently featured Paul, a camera operator for Global Edmonton. They also featured CBC Edmonton’s Mark Connolly.
On a related note, I’m a little surprised at how much attention Faces of Edmonton received from the local media, especially considering it isn’t a new idea, even in Edmonton. Is it just because summer is slow? Now I see there’s another project called Humans of Edmonton getting mentioned.
Allison Salz has left the Edmonton Sun to work in communications for Sturgeon County. No word yet on whether or not someone is taking over the social media column.
I always enjoy blogger meetups, so I was happy to read about the social media mavens meet-up that Holly and Jenna hosted.
The Edmonton Journal is once again recruiting for its community advisory board. There are six openings this year. You have until September 7 to apply, with the first meeting taking place on October 9.
Via Elise, I came across this awesome job posting for a reporter at the Lac La Biche Post. “Come for the scanners, stay for the lakes, live for the news.”
Avenue Edmonton is looking for a full-time associate editor! The deadline to apply is August 22.
The Spruce Grove Examiner is looking for a Sports Editor.
With the Edmonton Marathon coming up this weekend, “Reporter on the Run” Otiena Ellwand looks back on 15 weeks of training.
Capital Ideas Edmonton is hosting their 30th event at the Edmonton Journal on Wednesday!
Want to learn about Twitter? Linda is teaching a course this fall called Twitter for Beginners! Also, don’t miss her latest social media notes.
Have you seen any media-related Fringe shows? The Coffee Cup Show caught my eye because it takes place in an actual coffee shop, and I see it features an “emotionally wounded journalist looking for attention” as well as an aspiring writer.
Here is Karen’s latest roundup of local blog posts you should read!
StreamOn is an Edmonton-based company that helps “300+ customer radio stations throughout Canada, the United States, and other parts of the world” build their online audiences. They have just signed a deal with Limelight to use their content delivery and cloud storage platform.
Did you catch Breakfast Television today? They went back in time. Here’s the trailer they released recently to promote it:

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.

Edmonton Notes for 8/17/2014

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Congratulations to the Art Gallery of Alberta on turning 90 today! The High Level Bridge was colored red, orange, and green tonight to celebrate.
In case you missed it, here’s an extensive piece on the High Level Bridge and the long history of people jumping from it to their deaths.
Northlands announced that Tim Reid is their new President and CEO. Here are my thoughts.
The new boardwalk-style patio at Julio’s Barrio on Whyte is here to stay: the pilot project has been extended.
The Apple commercial “Misunderstood” which was filmed in Edmonton has won a Creative Arts Emmy.
Councillor Mike Nickel posted what appears to be a letter to Council from UDI Edmonton’s chair Jordan Davis which outlines the organization’s concerns with the MGA review the City conducted. UDI says the proposed changes would “impact affordability” after acknowledging that “developers or builders ultimately pass costs on.”
Summer break is over for Council! They’re back at it this week, with Community Services Committee, Executive Committee, and Transportation Committee meetings, plus a public hearing. Let’s hope for good news tomorrow as they discuss an Urban Hens Pilot Project! On Tuesday they’re discussing the infill roadmap.
Yes, the mosquitoes are bad right now. Likely record-breaking numbers. I should not have worn shorts to What the Truck?! on Saturday!
Congratulations to the City of Edmonton on winning an international award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers for its Lego bike safety videos.
Four local startups – SAM IO, Granify, Innovative Trauma Care, and LoginRadius – have received funding from the TEC Venture Angels, a private angel investors group that is just six months old.
Don’t miss the latest urbanism headlines from Spacing Edmonton.
The City has a goal of replacing all of its streetlights with LEDs by 2020, but until the end of the year, some neighbourhoods are still getting the old bulbs.
Congratulations to Emerson Csorba and Kassie Burkholder who are representing Edmonton on the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community Advisory Councils for 2014 (PDF).
Terence Harding thinks that City Council should have political parties. While I agree with his desire for increased transparency and accountability, think political parties are absolutely the wrong way to go about it.
The Oilers are making news for something other than their lack of winning for a change! Their decision to hire analytics guru Tyler Dellow is controversial and could be the start of a big trend in the NHL. See also this discussion about the openness of NHL data.
There’s nothing stopping you from taking your laptop out into the river valley to get some work done, but it could be more comfortable (and feature WiFi). Marissa Loewen is trying to get the City to create workstations in some City parks.
Voting is now open for Vue Weekly’s Best of Edmonton 2014. You can nominate your favorites in just about every category but food (they save that for the Golden Fork Awards in May).
Edmonton Next Gen has put out the call for presenters for Pecha Kucha Night 20 which is taking place on October 2 and the Royal Alberta Museum.

Edmonton Latin Festival, photo by IQRemix

Upcoming Events

The 33rd annual Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is well underway now! Check out the grounds and take in some shows – you have until August 24. Sounds like the opening weekend was a good one!
The next interVivos event takes place on Monday night – check out #girlbossyeg at The Common.
Capital Ideas Edmonton hosts its next event on how creativity feeds into business on Wednesday at lunch.
Don’t miss the Latitude 53 patio on Thursday night!
Also Thursday, check out Nerd [Game] Night at Iconoclast Koffiehuis.
The Edmonton Marathon takes place on Saturday and Sunday. This is the 22nd anniversary of the event!
I hope to see you in Chinatown on Saturday night for the 97 Street Night Market, taking place along 106 Avenue at 97 Street. Here’s more on the event from Sharon.
Also that night, the Edmonton Eskimos host the Toronto Argonauts at Commonwealth Stadium.
Viva Italia Viva Edmonton takes place on Sunday at Giovanni Caboto Park!
We’re hosting our next Blink event on Sunday at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. Tickets for the ImMACulate Garden Party are $40 and proceeds support the Edmonton Humane Society. Hope to see you there!
Also this weekend, Beverly is celebrating 100 years since its corporation as a town in 1914!
Stony Plain Road is hoping to become the YEG Market District with their first event on Sunday at 102 Avenue between 153 and 154 Streets, in the alley behind the Jasper Place Hotel.
For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

2014 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup: Canada vs. Germany, photo by Andrew Bates

Media Monday Edmonton: Update #122

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

Global Edmonton (CITV-DT) is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary on September 1. Here’s a tribute from Marty Forbes. You can learn more about the station’s history here.
The Edmonton Broadcasters Club‘s 2014 Fall Luncheon will feature Wally Kirk, who was with Global Edmonton from the start until his retirement in 1999. The luncheon will take place on October 15.
CTV Edmonton (CFRN-DT) celebrates 60 years on October 25 and they are getting ready by holding a vintage t-shirt design contest. You have until September 5 to submit a design!
Last week it was reported that the Edmonton Oilers have hired blogger Tyler Dellow of mc79hockey.com fame as an analytics consultant (congrats Tyler!). Apparently some are having a hard time comprehending what this means. No really, Edmonton Sun reporter Derek Van Diest must feel embarrassed after his rant.
I do agree with Sunil Agnihotri that taking down Dellow’s blog unnecessarily wiped out a bunch of useful online history and has destroyed a potentially valuable online community.
She’s still listed as Managing Director of Programming on the CBC Edmonton contact page, but Charles Rusnell tweeted that Judy Piercey has retired.
Back in June, CBC launched its new strategy called A space for us all. Bill Chambers, VP Brand, Communications, and Corporate Affairs will be in Edmonton on August 25 to hear what local stakeholders think about the plan.
Speaking of CBC, a tipster let me know that CBC radio’s recent broadcasts have been province-wide, with no locals at noon or during the afternoon drive. Anyone know what’s up there?
Linda profiled Faces of Edmonton recently, a new blog inspired by the popular Humans of New York blog that aims to showcase “Edmonton’s scenery, inhabitants, and stories.” Check it out here.
This is interesting: a story-behind-the-story conversation between Jana Pruden and Alexandra Zabjek (via Karen). I like this kind of storytelling, and it looks like an interesting way to use Storify. Here it is in context on the Journal’s site.
The TELUS Fund has finished a second round of funding selections, and Edmonton-based Anaid Productions was one of the production companies chosen to receive funding. Anaid produced the popular Quon Dynasty show, and most recently worked on The Liquidator. The funding will help to produce Hospital Rescue, “which follows a team of maverick leaders and front-line caregivers as they battle for positive change in emergency care.”
If you were hoping for a televised PC leadership race debate, you’ll be disappointed to hear that isn’t going to happen.
Canoe.ca recently featured five Canadian YouTubers you should know about and included singer/songwriter Daniela Andrade.
A follow-up to the ongoing unpaid internship story: Bell has scrapped its program, at least temporarily.
And closing the loop on another story: that crowdfunded TV show with Councillor Mike Nickel appears to have failed, raising just $100 of the $6,500 goal.
Here is Karen’s latest roundup of local blog posts!

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.

Edmonton Notes for 8/10/2014

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Pretty hard to ignore all the provincial news lately. Former premier Alison Redford resigned her post as MLA for Calgary-Elbow just one day before the auditor general’s report found her government misused taxpayer money. For more, check out episode 50 of The Press Gallery.
The City has shortlisted the three teams that will participate in the next phase of the Valley Line LRT project. The winning team will be selected by the end of 2015 with construction beginning in 2016.
For the third year in a row, Strathcona was named top neighbourhood on Avenue Edmonton’s list of our city’s top 10.
According to Pollstar’s Mid-Year Ranking for 2014, Rexall Place was the 2nd busiest arena in Canada, 5th busiest in North America, and 23rd busiest in the world!
The Edmonton Heritage Council has launched a new walking tour of Churchill Square in a new app called Soundwalk Edmonton. If it is well received, they may expand it to other areas too.
Residents in Queen Alexandra have formed a group called QA Crossroads, which aims to change 76 Avenue and 106 Street, major roads in the area. As the City is renewing the road, residents want to see more changes incorporated.
In case you missed it, Leduc’s latest census results show the population is now 28,583, an increase of 4.9% over 2013. Edmonton’s latest municipal census results are expected by the end of the month.
The conversation about infill housing and density continues, and Councillor Michael Walters wants it to apply to all neighbourhoods.
The latest city report on the matter suggests that 62 new neighbourhoods approved on the fringes of Edmonton are expected to cost $3 billion in new infrastructure over the next 30 years.
It sounds like the University of Alberta is interested in supporting Edmonton’s bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games. They could provide facilities, as well as people trained in coaching, training, physiotherapy, and more.
Have you checked out the Edmonton City As Museum Project? It “tells the stories of the People, Places, Things, and Moments that make the city of Edmonton what it is.” Here’s one about Edmonton Folk Fest.
There still isn’t anything there, but the Edmonton Arena District has a placeholder website.
Corso 32 chef Daniel Costa has launched Tavola, an app featuring recipes, wine pairings, and playlists. Think of it as a modern take on the cookbook.
If you’re looking for more food news, check out Sharon’s latest food notes. We also talked about some of the exciting food news of the summer in the latest episode of Mack & Cheese.
The Oilers are planning a 30th anniversary celebration of the 1984 championship team, to take place for a few days in October.
Check out Karen’s latest blog roundup for some great local reads.

Morning Commute by Dave Sutherland

Upcoming Events

This week’s Make Something Monday event is focused on YEG Fashion.
Head down to Churchill Square on Tuesday evening for The Lego Movie, one of the Movies on the Square screenings.
Have you been enjoying the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada? There are another two games in Edmonton this week, plus a quarterfinal game.
It’s finally here! The 33rd Edmonton International Fringe Festival starts on Thursday and runs through August 24. Get ready for Fringed and Confused!
The Edmonton Blues Festival takes place at Hawrelak Park this weekend.
Over in Louise McKinney, the Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival will be delighting spectators.
Doing some summer cleaning? The City is hosting another Big Bin event this weekend at Bill Hunter Arena.
The fifth annual Edmonton Latin Festival takes place on Saturday at Churchill Square.
Please join us in Borden Park on Saturday from 4-8pm for our third big What the Truck?! event of the season!
For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Some of the cosplay at Animethon 21, photo by IQRemix

Media Monday Edmonton: Update #121

Hope you’re all having a great summer so far! Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

Sounds like there won’t be another season of Oil Change this year. Here’s what Matt Henderson had to say about it: “What the documentary captured wasn’t the Oilers rising out of the ashes like a Phoenix, it was incompetence and embarrassment night after night. And, rightfully, the series has been put out of its misery. At least for now.”
Here’s a feature on 100.3 The Bear’s Jessica Jackson, who can be heard on air from 10am to 3pm.
Congrats to Otiena – she’s now the breaking news reporter at the Journal!
Remember that Apple Christmas ad that was filmed in Edmonton? It has been nominated for a Creative Arts Emmy!
The Cold Lake Sun is looking for a multimedia journalist who can write, take photos, and use social media. The deadline to apply is July 30.
The St. Alberta Gazette has an opening for an assistant editor. “The assistant editor is a key cog in the Gazette’s newsroom of 12, which includes two full-time photographers.” The deadline to apply is August 5.
The Spruce Grove Examiner is looking for a sports editor to join the team. The deadline to apply is August 8.
In television, CTV Edmonton is looking for a reporter/anchor (closes August 8), and Citytv Edmonton is looking for an assignment editor (closes August 4).
For more job opportunities and an update on recent media moves, check out Marilyn’s July roundup.
Issue 6 of The Pulp magazine is now online!
Did anyone make it to Chuck Frank’s garage sale over the weekend? Apparently he has been collecting radios since he was a teenager and has over 1000 antique electronics. Probably an interesting story to go with each one too.
Here’s another 630 CHED aircheck.
There’s lots of good stuff in the latest episode of The Press Gallery. One of the topics covered is the publication ban on identifying children who die when in the care of the Province.
Catch up on everything that’s happened in the world of social media with Linda’s latest roundup.
Can Reddit find a way to earn revenue without alienating its entire audience? That’s a hard question. It’s a very unique community, and will likely need a unique approach.
Don’t miss Karen’s latest roundup of the best local blog posts from the past week.

Stacey Brotzel in the hot seat!

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.

Share this:

Headlines

Upcoming Events

Share this:

The future of the six o’clock news

The future of news production

The future of local news

The future of Global Edmonton

Share this:

Headlines

Upcoming Events

Share this:

Headlines

Upcoming Events

Share this:

Share this:

Headlines

Upcoming Events

Share this:

Share this:

Headlines

Upcoming Events

Share this:

Share this: