Originally published in the Oct. 26, 2023 edition of The Weekly Briefing
Troy Reeb will take on an expanded role at Corus Entertainment as Executive Vice President Networks and Content, effective Nov. 1. The new appointment sees Reeb assume responsibility for studio content, in addition to his current oversight of multi-platform broadcast networks, news and audio as Corus continues to “streamline” its programming operating model, the company noted in an announcement. With the appointment, Corus is eliminating the position of Executive Vice President Content and Strategy, currently held by Colin Bohm, who will exit the company at the end of the month. Bohm has been with Corus for 21 years, holding roles including Managing Director, Nelvana and Head of Corus Kids. Read more here.
Pascal Tanguay will take Montreal National Sales under his wing at Québecor Expertise Média, in addition to Direct Sales in Montreal, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, as well as Print Sales and TVA Sports Sales. Karl Berthomé and Caroline Jacques, along with their respective teams, will join forces with the existing team, reporting to Tanguay. The move follows the appointment of Patrick Jutras as President of MELS and Chief Advertising Officer of TVA Group and Québecor Media.
Frédérique Gagnon will manage sales for TVA’s Saguenay and Eastern Quebec offices, reporting to Nathalie Langevin. Gagnon began her career with Groupe Capitales Médias in Saguenay, and from 2017 to present, has held the position of Practice Manager, Digital Expertise for Quebeor’s regional offices. The three teams – Quebec City, Saguenay and Rimouski – will combine their expertise to offer solutions to customers in Eastern Quebec.
Heidi Petracek has joined Global National, as Global News’ national correspondent based in Halifax. Petracek, who has been a familiar face to CTV Atlantic viewers for the past 13 years, steps into the position left vacant with the retirement of Ross Lord earlier this year. Petracek, who originally hails from Langenburg, SK, began her broadcasting career with CBC as a reporter in Regina and Saskatoon, before moving on to hosting, producing and reporting roles with the public broadcaster in Toronto, Corner Brook, St. John’s and Halifax. After a decade with CBC, she joined CTV Atlantic in Halifax in 2010, initially as a co-host on the local edition of CTV Morning Live. Read more here.
Daniele Hamamdjian is joining Global National on a temporary basis as a Special Correspondent reporting from the Middle East on the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Contributing to Global News across all platforms, her reporting will add to the network’s on-the-ground coverage from Europe Bureau Chief Crystal Goomansingh, Senior Correspondent Jeff Semple, National Correspondent Stewart Bell, video journalists Barry Donnelly and Tim Lee, and Senior Producer Kieron O’Dea. Hamamdjian has reported from the front lines in more than 25 countries. Up until this past June, she was a reporter with CTV News for 17 years, the past decade as UK correspondent.
Deana Sumanac-Johnson is the new CBC News Network weekend evening anchor. She’ll continue to work Wednesday to Friday as a Senior Education Reporter. Sumanac-Johnson has been with CBC for two decades, including more than 15 years as National Arts Reporter.
Angela Jung has signed off from CTV Vancouver. Jung has been a multimedia reporter with the station for the last five years and prior to that held the same role with CTV Edmonton.
Isabella Zavarise is joining CTV Vancouver full-time as a reporter. Zavarise came to CTV as a freelancer videographer with a previous stint at Insider, based in Los Angeles, while she pursued an M.A. in Specialized Journalism at the University of Southern California. Prior to that, she spent time as a videojournalist with CBC Prince Edward Island.
Katelyn Wilson has returned from maternity leave with a new job at CTV Ottawa. Wilson had been with CTV Barrie since 2021 and prior to that, was a reporter with Global News in Regina and Lethbridge.
Brent Rose has announced his departure from Global News after 12 years as current affairs show, The New Reality comes to an end. Director of Photography, camera operator and editor of the series for the past three years, Rose previously held the title of Supervising Producer, Original Video Content Production and Workflow.
Lauren O’Neil has joined 640 (CFIQ-AM) Toronto as a reporter/anchor. O’Neil left her role as a Senior Editor at blogTO in August after seven years with the publication. She’s also worked with CBC Toronto as a trends reporter and social media producer.
Ken Hashizume is the new News Director at 1460 CJOY Guelph. Hashizume has been an an anchor and reporter with the Corus Radio station since June 2022. In radio news for more than two decades, his resume includes stops at CHML Hamilton, Bayshore Broadcasting’s stations in Owen Sound and Orillia, and Shoreline Classics (CIYN-FM) Kincardine. Hashizume fills the role vacated by Darren Baxter earlier this year.
Bryn Griffiths is set to return to the airwaves in Edmonton, filling in for Chelsea Bird on the 630 CHED afternoon talk show during her pending maternity leave, starting Nov. 1. The former TEAM 1260 (CFRN-AM) Edmonton sports director and Sportsnet Fan 960 (CFAC-AM) Calgary host has more recently been focused on podcasting and marketing ventures.
Tom McGouran will begin hosting mornings on Native Communications’ Now Country 104.7 (CIUR-FM) Winnipeg starting Oct. 30, alongside Naomi Kay. The veteran host’s first foray into the country format, McGouran was most recently at Corus Entertainment’s Peggy @ 99.1 (CFPG-FM) and among the station talent released in late September ahead of an anticipated format flip.
Jordan Keating has taken over the local morning show on Country 93.3 (CJOK-FM) Fort McMurray. With Rogers Sports & Media’s stations in the market since late last year, Keating is also heard on sister station 97.9 Rock (CKYX-FM). He previously worked with VOCM and what is now the Stingray cluster in Newfoundland.
Zena Burns has announced her departure as Senior Vice President, Content and Special Projects, at Futuri. Burns, who has been with the company the last eight years, will step down at the end of the year. The former SVP of Programming Partnerships at iHeartMedia, Burns says she’s exploring evolving her podcast, My 23-Year-Old Self: True Stories From The Come Up, and pursuing more cause-related work.
Peter Newman has joined William F. White International (WFW), a Sunbelt Rentals Company, as Branch Manager, Specialty Equipment in Toronto. Newman has been a Grip in the Toronto film industry for 23 years. In addition to countless commercials and music videos, he has been Key Grip on many productions, including Titans, The Umbrella Academy, and Fellow Travelers, and served as the Key Technician for The Amazing Race Canada.
