Michelle Mearns has joined SiriusXM Canada as Vice President of Programming and Operations, reporting to CEO Mark Redmond. She’ll be responsible for the development and production of all Canadian programming as well as technical operations. Her appointment comes as John Lewis, Senior Vice President, Programming and Operations, retires after 17 years with SiriusXM. Mearns arrives from Apple Canada, where she led strategic partnerships, content marketing and played a significant role in the launch of Apple Music in Canada. She’s also held marketing roles with Twitter Canada, Facebook Canada, and CBC Music. Read more here.
My News: Friday is my last day at CTV & CFRA.Thank you Ottawa for 3 busy years. You welcomed & accepted me, and I’m grateful.From the LRT, Covid, occupation, to the unprecedented storm this week, its been non-stop. Time for a break. Appreciate my BellMedia colleagues big time! 🙏
— Leslie Roberts 🇨🇦🏳️🌈 (@MrLeslieRoberts) May 26, 2022
Leslie Roberts has departed CTV and 580 CFRA Ottawa, with Friday, May 27 his last day. Roberts, who’ll turn 58 this month, joined CTV Ottawa as a co-host on the local edition of CTV Morning Live in June 2019, arriving from Montreal off a two-year hosting stint at CJAD. In addition to CTV Morning Live, which airs from 6 – 9 a.m. weekdays, Roberts has been hosting CFRA talk show Ottawa at Work with Leslie Roberts, from 9 a.m. – noon. Read more here.
Roz Weston is set to step away from ET Canada after 17 seasons to focus on the upcoming launch of his memoir, A Little Bit Broken. Weston is better-known as one half of the The Roz & Mocha Show, which originates on KiSS 92.5 (CKIS-FM) Toronto and airs in various dayparts on other KiSS-branded stations within the Rogers Sports & Media network. He’ll film his final episode of ET Canada on June 23, which Corus Entertainment says will include a special farewell. Weston announced his book deal with DoubleDay in April. Available now for pre-order, it will come out Sept. 27. Read more here.
Phil Kallsen has resigned as Regional Program Director, Southwest Ontario for Bell Media to return to Calgary to be closer to family. Kallsen had held the position since last October. He’ll be relaunching his consulting business, PH1L K CONSULTING.
Tony Marinaro has departed TSN 690 (CKGM-AM) Montreal after a 20-year run. Marinaro had most recently been hosting weekday show, The Montreal Forum, as well as Habs Lunch. He’ll continue hosting his Montreal Canadiens-focused pod, The Sick Podcast.
Eden Debebe is joining CP24 as an anchor and reporter. Debebe arrives from Rogers Sports & Media where she’s been an anchor/reporter with CityNews 680 (CFTR-AM) and a Digital Content Producer with OMNI Television the past four years.
Isabella Zavarise is joining Insider, based in Los Angeles. The former CBC P.E.I. video journalist has been in California for the last six months, pursuing an M.A. in Specialized Journalism at the University of Southern California. She’s most recently been working as a data reporter with Crosstown LA.
Maddy Eisenberg is signing off from the 580 CFRA Ottawa traffic desk. Her last day is June 10. Eisenberg has been with Bell Media for the last six years.
Kirby Bourne is leaving Corus Edmonton where she’s been serving as Digital Content Coordinator. Bourne has been with Corus since 2013, starting as an anchor and reporter with 630 CHED, before transitioning into a digital role in 2016.
Heidi Lee has joined Global News as a National Online Reporter, based in Toronto. A 2022 Ryerson Journalism grad, Lee was formerly the News Editor at The Eyeopener and also has experience freelancing for the Hong Kong Free Press.
Kitty Walsh is the new Executive Director of Development at Atomic Cartoons, the Kids & Family Division of Thunderbird Entertainment Group. Prior to joining Atomic, Walsh was Director of Development at Disney Junior, where she most recently served as the lead development executive on new series Robogobo and recent special Mickey’s Tale of Two Witches. Atomic’s Rose Stacey has also been promoted from Development Coordinator to Manager of Development and will be working with Walsh on advancing the original development slate and bringing in original IP.
Kim Guise has been named Telefilm’s Western Regional Feature Film Executive for a two-year term, starting June 6. With over 20 years of experience in the film and television industry, including 10 years as an investment analyst at Telefilm in Vancouver, Guise will help support emerging talent and render financing decisions for feature films in the Western Canadian region. Anita Damiani is the new Quebec Regional Feature Film Executive for the Francophone market as of April 1, for a five-year term. Damiani has over 20 years experience in the industry, including 16 years at Telefilm as a distribution analyst, marketing specialist and lead for the national Theatrical Exhibition Program and French-language documentaries. Guise will be based out of the Vancouver office, while Damiani will remain in Montreal.
Sean Porter has been promoted by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) to Vice-President, National Industrial Relations and Counsel. He’ll join the CMPA’s senior leadership team, overseeing national industrial relations strategy for the organization, lead national labour negotiations, and drive CMPA priorities related to labour and employment legislation. Porter has been with the CMPA since 2018 as Director, National Industrial Relations and Counsel. In 2021, he was promoted to Lead Negotiator and Senior Director.
David McTeague has joined FACTOR (Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings) where he’ll be working in client services. McTeague was most recently with Toronto’s JAZZ.FM91 (CJRT-FM) as the station’s Promotions Manager and Sponsorship Development Lead. He’s also held marketing and promotions roles with G98.7FM (CKFG-FM), FLOW 93.5 (CFXJ-FM), Newstalk 1010 (CFRB-AM), Blackburn Media’s stations in Wingham/Owen Sound.
