Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• Congratulations to all the winners of the 2013 Yeggies which took place on Friday evening! The Local Good took home “Best in Edmonton” and Baconhound took home “Best Twitter Persona”. It was a fun night!

Yeggies co-founder Adam Rozenhart and food blogger Sharon Yeo before the show

• Here’s a roundup of some Yeggies coverage: Gig City, Inglorious Hipsters, The Local Good, Finster Finds, VV Boutique Style, #yegfilm, and OilersNation.
• With the exception of perhaps Mayor Iveson, I have to say I think the media personalities bested the politicians when it comes to dance moves! Pretty cool and popular video by CTV Edmonton called #yeghappy!
• TELUS announced today that it will invest $2.6 billion in new infrastructure and facilities across Alberta through 2016. They’re broadening the reach of Optik TV and are deploying 700 MHz spectrum.
• Well that didn’t take long: Meet the Media Tweetup 5 is taking place on June 13 and it’s already sold out. Add yourself to the waitlist I guess!
• Don’t miss this fun interview with Brittney Le Blanc by Phil Wilson (aka Baconhound).
• And Brittney, this link is for you: one third of the roughly 400 reporters at the New York Times are women.
• Edmonton Journal reporter Otiena Ellwand is training to run in the Edmonton Marathon on August 24, and she’s planning to blog about her progress along the way. It’s called Reporter on the Run, and the fun video at that link was produced by Ryan Jackson.
• Many local media personalities participated in McHappy Day:

.@GordSteinke and @CADevaney getting ready to serve the busy lunch rush for #McHappyDay pic.twitter.com/JZI7YImwvH

— GlobalEDM Community (@GlobalEdm_plus)

May 7, 2014

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• The next Capital Ideas Edmonton event takes place on Wednesday, May 21 at the Edmonton Journal. The topic this time is mentorship.
• For all the latest news in the world of social media, check out Linda’s latest roundup!
• Looks like ATB Financial has found itself the target of a negative fake Twitter account. The account appears to be run by a disgruntled employee.
• I have been enjoying all of the #metro228 links that Karen Unland has been posting on Twitter. Follow her if you don’t already!
• Obsessed with screens? You might like the latest new media experiment, Glass.

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:

• After ten years on the job, Global Edmonton’s Trouble Shooter Julie Matthews is moving on to become a senior investigator with Service Alberta. Her last day was Friday, May 2.
• Also leaving Global Edmonton is Shane Jones, who will be joining PCL as their new Media Relations Specialist in two weeks.
• The Yeggies are coming up on Friday evening! Get your tickets here.
• Graham Thomson on the return of Alison Redford to the legislature: “This was Redford’s first appearance in the assembly since she resigned as premier March 23 and the media were after her like seagulls chasing a fishing trawler. And all we got were scraps.”
• The nominees for the 37th annual National Magazine Awards were announced recently. Alberta Views and Eighteen Bridges both picked up a number of nominations. The winners will be revealed in Toronto on June 6.
• I was sad to miss the NOW 102.3 FM Tweetup on Friday night! Looks like it was a fun time.

Great #nowtweetup @1023nowradio! @McIntyreMary1 had a blast with @DMcIntyreCTV, @adammckale, @TazlyTaz, @crashandmars pic.twitter.com/WL9ziulWXX

— Mary McIntyre (@McIntyreMary1)

May 3, 2014

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• Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at Global Edmonton with Lorraine Mansbridge.
• “It took JR Shaw four years to get a cable license from the CRTC.” He connected his first customer in 1971 and today has more than 3 million customers! Here’s 6 pieces of advice from the telecommunications pioneer.
• Brett Barrett is a newly graduated News Assistant at Global Edmonton, and he’s pretty excited about filing his first story. I love that social media enables stuff like this!
• NAIT’s student newspaper, the Nugget, was first published on January 1, 1964. Here’s a look at 50 years of history for the publication. Color printing began in 1999!
• I was disappointed to see the comments on this piece by Gray Lamphier. In response to a suggestion from a reader, Lamphier responded: “And I wish I had 10 more inches of column space to answer such questions. If you can wangle that from my editor, let me know.” I feel like that excuse should no longer be valid in 2014.
• Is life really more fun on two wheels? There’s a Facebook group for Edmonton Media Motorcyclists.
• Here’s a roundup of some recent blog posts from Edmontonians. What do you think – is that interesting and/or useful?
• Edmonton-born filmmaker Dave Walker was found dead in Cambodia last week. He went missing back in February.
• Saturday, May 3 was World Press Freedom Day as designated by the United Nations. Twitter encouraged users to tweet their observations and thoughts using the hashtag #PressFreedom.
• As you know, Rob Ford was back in the news over the last week or so. And this time, media outlets are ponying up some cash in exchange for photos. From the Globe and Mail: Why we published the Rob Ford photos and The case for paying for Rob Ford photographs. Gawker was also approach and wrote about their interactions with the seller.

A zombie is interviewed by CTV Edmonton during the 2014 RCZC Spring Zombie Walk

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:

• Former Alberta Premier Alison Redford has been in the news lately for her absence from the legislative assembly, and now the local media is being criticized for “verging on tabloid journalism” with their coverage. It does seem a bit over the top. Anyone in her position would need some time to re-energize. That said, she hasn’t done herself any favors by perpetuating the culture of “entitlement” with the way the situation has been handled. What do you think?
• I was very surprised to hear that Julie Matthews is leaving Global Edmonton to become a senior investigator with Service Alberta. Her last day is Friday. Best of luck Julie!
• Congratulations to all the nominees and winners at tonight’s Mayor’s Celebration for the Arts! Prairie Dog Film + Television took home a couple of awards, and CJSR won the John Poole Award for Promotion of the Arts.
• Jonny Sullivan confirmed on Thursday that he was let go from Corus and 92.5 Fresh FM. It’s clear he has formed a connection with Edmonton: “I hope that I can stay here in Edmonton. People talk shit about this city all the time. I have no idea what they have to bitch about. The soul of this city is its people.” Best of luck Jonny!
• Volume 51 Issue 15 was the final issue of Folio, the staff newsletter at the University of Alberta that has been published for nearly 50 years, amassing more than 1,700 issues. Here’s the final issue in PDF. Technology has changed and so must Folio, but thankfully we still celebrate milestones with cake.
• Congratulations to the Edmonton Journal and the Calgary Herald on being named finalists for the 2013 Michener Award for meritorious public service journalism. Their series called Fatal Care earned the nomination. The winners will be announced on June 11.
• This looks like a neat tradition: Purple Thursday is a thing at the Edmonton Journal.
• Sportsnet will broadcast the 2014 World Triathlon Grand Final live from Edmonton in August.
• Sonic Boom has announced its lineup for the 2014 edition, now expanded to three days! Looks like Sonic 102.9 FM has another hit on their hands.
• Want to volunteer for The Gateway? Learn all about it here. Apparently they are also giving away old bound editions.
• Speaking of The Gateway, classes and exams are over, and for some journalists that means goodbye.
• Have you ever wanted to see social media guru Walter Schwabe shave his legs? Here’s your chance – he’s raising money for the Strathcona County Boys and Girls Club.
• The April edition of The Pulp is now online – go check it out!
• What do hockey players do when their season has come to an end? Andrew Ference of the Edmonton Oilers took a turn behind the mic for NBC.
• If you haven’t listened recently, check out the latest episode of Mack & Cheese, my weekly podcast with Graham Hicks. We’ve recently been experimenting with a new format, tackling a few issues each episode instead of just one.
• This is a great article on the need to teach journalist grads the right skills (more tech) but it also has a great list of books to check out at the end.
• Here’s a follow-up to the ongoing story of CBC’s policy on speaking engagements. They’ve introduced a few new measures as a result of the criticism received.

Minister of Health Fred Horne announces Alberta’s new online organ and tissue donor registry

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:

• The Edmonton Oilers aren’t the only local sports team making deals with Rogers Media: FC Edmonton has also signed a partnership agreement with Rogers to have 13 of 14 home games broadcast on Citytv Edmonton and 101.7 World FM.
• Here’s a wrap-up on the RTNDA and AMPIA awards I wrote about last week from Marty Forbes.
• Carrie Doll was the keynote speaker at last week’s Edmonton Broadcasters lunch.
• The next Social Media Breakfast Edmonton event is coming up on Friday at Startup Edmonton. The topic is “Your Digital Toolbox”, spring edition natch.
• Ever wonder what kind of shoes some of your favorite Edmonton Journal personalities like? Wonder no more.
• Here’s an interview with Alberta reporter Amanda Lindhout, who is still recovering from 15 months in captivity.
• Apparently Rod Phillips isn’t the only broadcaster to reach 3,542 games called – Medicine Hat’s Bob Ridley has reached the same milestone!
• If you’re a Windows 8 user, check out the new Metro Canada news app. It works well!
• What do you think about the “live” news feeds that many sites are starting to offer? CBC Edmonton is using ScribbleLive, the Edmonton Journal is just using Twitter, and it looks like 630 CHED has embedded Twitter into its home page.
• A bunch of local food bloggers had a tweetup at La Ronde last week (my Twitter feed was full of food photos that day). Here’s a recap from Wine + Dine.
• Here’s a recap of last week’s Capital Ideas Edmonton mixer.
• Edmonton Sun columnist Lorne Gunter says “the CBC is no more essential to Canadian democracy than any other media outlet” and feels the organization needs to pay its own way.
• Are you a photographer? You might be interested in International Underground Meet Day then, taking place on May 18. Here in Edmonton, participants will be snapping photos of the LRT system!
• Shaw Media is looking for a new Human Resources Advisor, based here in Edmonton.
• Following on the heels of Ezra Klein’s Vox comes The Upshot, a new “explanatory journalism” effort from the New York Times.
• I really enjoyed looking at the roundup of daily newspaper front pages at Newseum when I visted a few years ago. Now, after a campaign by the editors of many weekly newspapers, their front pages will be included too.

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:

• 630 CHED found itself in a world of trouble on Thursday after it posted a controversial poll question online. Many angry Edmontonians weighed in on Twitter, including MLA Thomas Lukaszuk, who threatened to pull all Alberta government advertising off the station. The station later changed the wording of the question and suggested a lack of context was to blame, before finally apologizing on air, removing the poll and original tweet. Unfortunately for them, everything was captured in screenshots in real-time.
• It was disappointing to see the poll, but I also feel bad for all the good people at 630 CHED caught up in the mess. J’lyn Nye called it “a day of tears and disappointment.” Tencer and Grose devoted the first hour of their show on Friday to the mistake.
• Congratulations to Kari Skelton and Ryan Jespersen – the #yegmedia couple announced they are expecting their first child!
• The 2014 Alberta Film & Television Awards, known as The Rosies, were handed out in Calgary on Saturday. Congratulations to all the winners! Filmed-in-Edmonton TV drama Blackstone took home six awards. CTV Edmonton was named Best Daily Newscast, Alberta Primetime was named Best News Series, and Citytv Edmonton won for Best Documentary Under 30 Minutes for Tour of Alberta: Making the Tour, which you can watch on YouTube:

• The RTDNA Canada Awards were also announced on Saturday. CBC Edmonton picked up four awards, followed by Global Edmonton with two.
• Tickets are now available for The Yeggies! Join us on May 9 at the Avenue Theatre.
• Cam Tait has started blogging again, with a new name: Tait on 8.
• CTV Edmonton General Sales Manager Alan Mabee is retiring after 30 years in the position. Looks like he had quite the sendoff! Marty Forbes reported that Susan Reade is stepping in as his replacement.
• On Thursday CBC announced it will cut 657 jobs and get out of the business of airing professional sports, throwing in the towel after the Rogers-NHL deal. Is the CBC destined to simply limp along?
• Shaw Communications announced plans today to layoff around 400 employees, including some in its Shaw Media division. Approximately 140 of the job losses are in Calgary (no word yet on Edmonton).
• The 18th annual Webby Awards are open for voting right now, and Calder Bateman’s Sexgerms.com site is nominated under the Activism category! You’ve got a little over ten days left to vote.
• Last week, Michael Ross posted an analysis of the cities most and least likely to survive the zombie apocalypse. The post caught on like wildfire, with newspapers across the country picking up the story. It was even featured on Geoge Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.
• So Easter is coming up, and that means you’ll see some people wearing bunny costumes. But this is probably not what you are picturing right now – click at your own risk!
• Is it live tweet, livetweet, or live-tweet? I would go with live-tweet probably. You?
• The 2014 finalists and winners of the Pulitzer Prizes have been announced. The Guardian and The Washington Post unsurprisingly took home the prize for Public Service for their work on the Snowden revelations.

Local media celebrity guys at WCFW

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:

• Congratulations to Global Edmonton’s Julie Matthews on reaching 10 years as the Troubleshooter! The program itself has been running for 20 years now – don’t miss this video marking the anniversary. There’s also an interview with Julie Matthews and here’s another from 630 CHED. Here’s part of an infographic that Global produced:

• 630 CHED began broadcasting on March 3, 1954. Here’s a feature on the radio station’s 60th anniversary. Interesting that 630 CHED didn’t even realize the milestone had arrived!
• That made me wonder what other organizations might be celebrating milestones this year. CJSR turned 30 on January 7, CITV (Global Edmonton) turns 40 on September 1, CJRY (Shine FM) turns 10 on September 7, CJNW (HOT 107 FM) turns 5 on October 6, CFRN (CTV Edmonton) turns 60 on October 25, CFCW turns 60 on November 2, CKRA (Capital FM) turns 35 on November 15, and CIRK (K-97) turns 65 sometime this year.
• The Yeggies are coming up in May! Want to volunteer for the event? Let me know!
• I wish I could come up with a great pun for this: OilersNation interviewed with Gene Principe.
• I didn’t know this: the Public Affairs Bureau removed opposition parties from media notices last October. The reason apparently has to do with embargos – the media can be held accountable for breaking them, but non-media can’t be.
• This is on top of news that the Provincial government currently employs 214 full-time equivalent positions in communications at a cost of $23 million annually.
• The Canadian Association of Journalists today announced the finalists for its annual awards. Charles Rusnell and Jennie Russell from CBC Edmonton are finalists in the Community Broadcast category and Shaughn Butts from the Edmonton Journal is a finalist in the Photojournalism category.
• Here’s a look at some of #yegmedia’s ladies at Western Canada Fashion Week!
• Here’s some fun April Fool’s Day fun from The Long John Index: Rogers Acquires Long John Index for $294; Carrie Doll new Chief Intern.
• File this one under not-that-shocking: CBC is expected to announce deep cuts on Thursday following the loss of Hockey Night in Canada.
• Here’s a Life & Times profile of Helen (Patricia) Hollingsworth, a former sports writer for the Edmonton Journal. She passed away on March 9 at the age of 98.
• Recently retired GM of 630 CHED Doug Rutherford watched his home go up in flames just a week after putting it up for sale. Harsh.
• Here are Linda’s latest social media notes!
• Some interesting news from Skype today – they’ve announced a new solution for broadcasters called Skype TX. It’s described as being “studio grade”.
• One of my favorite sites is Techmeme. I’m addicted. Here’s how it became the must-read news site for tech.
• Vox has launched! I’m really keen to see how their attempt at explaining the news plays out. Here’s a New York Times feature on the effort.

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.