Originally published in the Sept. 3, 2025 edition of The Weekly Briefing
Brad Smith and Brittnee Blair are joining the lineup of Global TV’s new afternoon lifestyle show, TMS2. Set to premiere on Sept. 8, entertainment reporter Morgan Hoffman was previously announced as host. Smith, the former host of Chopped Canada will join Hoffman as co-host, while media personality Blair (Big Brother Canada, The Morning Show, ET Canada) will also serve as an entertainment reporter, contributing to TMS2, The Morning Show, and Global News. Read more here.
Announcing the latest addition to the @TSNHockey team, @LandonFerraro! 🎉
Landon joins @TSN_Sports this week as the new Jets on TSN Analyst.
Welcome to Canada’s Sports Leader, Landon! 🏒🥅 pic.twitter.com/aBqV7Bp88c
— TSN PR (@TSN_PR) September 1, 2026
Landon Ferraro is joining TSN as the network’s new Jets on TSN analyst. The son of longtime TSN analyst and NHL’er Ray Ferraro, he spent last season as a Vancouver Canucks analyst for Sportsnet. He moves into the position vacated by Kevin Sawyer, who is joining Sportsnet as the Calgary Flames new colour commentator.
Tony Brar is leaving the Edmonton Oilers after eight years. Brar had been an Oilers TV host and reporter since 2018.
Darin Banister has announced his retirement from Stingray Calgary, effective Sept. 30. Banister began his media sales career at WIC/Corus Radio Calgary almost three decades ago before making a stop at Astral/Bell and ultimately joining Newcap/Stingray in 2010. Banister will stay on through the C97.7 (CHUP-FM) ownership transition to help ensure a smooth handoff of clients and relationships.
Mose Persico is moving to a new daily time slot on Montreal’s CFQR 600 after seven months in afternoon drive. He’s now the host of Midday with Mose Persico, weekdays from noon to 1 p.m. Alongside his new shift, Persico has officially been named Station Ambassador and will represent CFQR at community events. His new show promises to feature entertainment news, including coverage of Montreal’s vibrant arts scene; interviews; and a handpicked soundtrack of pop and rock favourites.
Claudine Jarabe has exited Rogers Sports & Media, where she’s been a National Account Manager in Toronto since 2024. Jarabe has joined Wllkins Media as Director of Client Partnerships, Canada.
Samantha Hastie has announced that her time with Rogers Sports & Media has come to an end after more than two decades. Hastie had been an Ottawa-based Senior Account Manager since 2005.
Paul Howard has joined sdpn as Sales Director. Howard was formerly a National Account Manager with Rogers Sports & Media for 18 years.
Neil Benedict is among those impacted by the cancellation of the local Halifax edition of Global Morning News. Benedict leaves the network after 12 years as a technical producer, capturing, producing and editing ENG content.
Clay Young is joining the Winnipeg Sun, contributing to the paper’s digital and social platforms. The Winnipeg media veteran, who was most recently seen on Global News Morning in the market, was among those impacted by consolidation of the morning show earlier in the summer.
Dana Roberts has joined CBC News as a reporter for the public broadcaster’s new Peel Region Bureau. As previously reported, Roberts arrives from CTV, where he’s most recently been a CTV News Channel producer, based in Toronto.
Philippe de Montigny is joining CBC News as a senior business reporter for the next year. Most recently Chef du bureau economique at Radio-Canada, de Montigny has worked with the public broadcaster since 2015.
Alex Boyd is joining CBC Calgary as a senior reporter covering provincial affairs. The veteran Alberta journalist arrives from the Toronto Star, where she’s been covering Western Canadian politics since 2019. Prior to that, she held roles with Torstar, Metro and CTV2.
Julia Meyer is joining CBC News in Toronto as a Developmental Editorial Assistant, contributing to national news. Meyer was previously with NBC News as a Production Assistant on NBC News NOW 24/7.
Pierre-Yves McSween has stepped away from his hosting role with Radio-Canada while his spouse, author Geneviève Pettersen, runs for office in the Quebec election. Pettersen is running for the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), attempting to succeed former Premier François Legault as the Member of Parliament for the riding of L’Assomption.
John Wright has been named the Canadian Journalism Foundation’s (CJF) inaugural Distinguished Research Fellow. Wright, the CEO of Canada Pulse Insights, will guide CJF’s research efforts, helping the foundation understand how Canadians engage with news and what that means for the future of journalism. Wright started his career with the Angus Reid Group in 1989, where he secured media polling partnerships with Southam News, Toronto’s CFRB (NewsTalk 1010) and CBC Newsworld. Read more here.
Fion Anastassiades has been reappointed to the Board of Directors of TVO and designated as Chair for a five-year term. Adesua Ezeokafor joins the board as a new member and has been appointed Vice-Chair, also for a five-year term. Hailing from Oakville, Ezeokafor is Chief Financial Officer of +OSB, a Canadian manufacturer based in Burlington, and previously held senior finance roles at Fusion Pharmaceuticals and Phillips 66 Canada.
Andreane Leblanc has been named Vice-President of Public Affairs and Communications at Telefilm Canada. Leblanc has worked with Telefilm for a decade, most recently as Acting Senior Director of Communications & Governmental Affairs.
Sam Halpern has been promoted to Director of Non-scripted Development at Vancouver’s Omnifilm Entertainment. Halpern has been a factual producer with the prodco since early 2025.
Diana Sanchez has been elevated to President of Hot Docs, effective immediately. Alongside Hot Docs’ Board of Directors, Sanchez has restructured the executive leadership team, appointing Mara Gourd-Mercado to the position of Executive Director. Gourd-Mercado, who takes up her new role Oct. 19, is currently Head of Industry & Training at CPH:DOX (Copenhagen International Documentary Festival). Prior to that she served as Executive Director of the Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM).
