The Pigeon, a new longform, online journalism site driven by new and student journalists, has launched. According to its website, The Pigeon editorial team, which prioritizes stories from Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+ and journalists of colour, saw an opportunity “to create positive change in the Canadian media landscape by bringing in-depth stories to our readers and giving new journalists the chance to learn what it’s like to pitch to a publication.” With a roster of contributors from coast-to-coast, the site features stories ranging from the rise of OnlyFans in Canada to the future of Canadian English. The Pigeon is relying solely on donations to continue operations.
Liquid Media Group has announced its working with digital agencies, Invoke and Arkitek/Creative, to drive the transformation of its Reelhouse streaming platform. Invoke is best known for creating social media management platform Hootsuite, as well as working with Viacom, the NHL, BBC, and Food Network, among others. Arkitek and frequent collaborator Crafted INK Consulting have a portfolio that includes digital media production, branding, marketing and PR for Walt Disney, Netflix, LucasFilm, Sony Picture Imageworks, Universal, Paramount and the Sustainable Production Forum. Acquired by Vancouver-based Liquid Media in February, the Reelhouse platform connects filmmakers with paying audiences via VOD, SVOD, and ReelhouseLIVE, allowing them to watch movies together and socialize in real-time.
Alex Suda, one of the top YouTube gamers in Canada with a following of over two million, has signed a global brand ambassador and content creation deal with OverActive Media’s Toronto Ultra Call of Duty League franchise. Suda (Im Suda), who hails from Ontario, ranks within the top five Call of Duty YouTubers nationally, in both video views and subscribers. The deal will see the YouTube star deliver a 12-episode series curated for Toronto Ultra’s channel, will be part of social media integrations and will take part in live, in person, fan-centric appearances.
MEDIAPRO Group and the Johan Cruyff Institute are launching free online course, The eSports Industry, for professionals in the fields of marketing, communication, consulting, and other sectors. The agreement will see MEDIAPRO contribute its leadership position in the eSports sector with projects like LVP (the largest Spanish-language eSports organization in the world) and the UBEAT OTT and television channel, while the Johan Cruyff Institute will provide know-how and experience in sports management training. With a maximum duration of four weeks, the course explains the evolution of the eSports industry through major players and stakeholders; the legal framework; opportunities the sector offers; its economic impact; who the key players are and what roles they play; as well as the culture, values and aspirations of the professionals involved. According to consultancy firm Newzoo, the global audience for eSports will reach 646 million by 2023, with annual growth of around 10%.
