Bell Media has announced the appointment of Rob Farina to the role of head of Radio Content, Strategy, and iHeartRadio, effective May 29. The announcement follows the upcoming departure of David Corey, VP of Radio Programming later this month for a new opportunity in the U.S. Formerly Head of iHeartRadio, Syndication and Strategic Initiatives, Farina will have oversight of all content for Bell Media Radio and continues to be responsible for radio content syndication group Orbyt Media. Farina returned to Bell Media in May 2016 as senior advisor for the launch of iHeartRadio Canada. Previously, he was PD at Toronto’s 104.5 CHUM FM, then VP of Programming for CHUM Radio, before joining Astral as executive vice-president, Content and Platforms. He also launched L.A.-based artist development and digital marketing company Black Box.
Dave Daigle is now VP, Radio and Local TV at Bell Media, responsible for all 105 radio and 30 local TV stations across the country. Previously regional VP and GM for Ontario and Atlantic Canada, Daigle will support regional vice-presidents and general managers Martin Spalding and James Stuart.
Erin Davis will take over midday hosting duties at Ocean 98.5 (CIOC-FM) Victoria on a fill-in basis, beginning May 16. Davis, who retired from CHFI-FM Toronto late last year, replaces Mel Z (Melanie Z. Kilpatrick), who is moving into the promotions director role for both Ocean and KiSS 103.1 (CHTT-FM).
John Arruda, creative director at Newcap Toronto (boom 97.3 (CHBM-FM) and 93.5 The Move (CFXJ-FM)), is joining digital marketing agency Digital Giants in Barrie, ON as director of client success. Arruda was at Corus Radio Barrie for 17 years, before joining Newcap two years ago. His last day is May 26.
Raj Shoan has been dismissed by the CRTC as Ontario commissioner a second time. Just days after a court reinstated him, the federal cabinet revoked his appointment again. The cabinet first dismissed Shoan last June after he filed multiple legal actions challenging chair Jean-Pierre Blais’ authority, and an investigation into harassment of a commission employee. Shoan says he’ll be headed back to court.
Nitin Kawale is leaving Rogers, the third executive to to do so as new CEO Joe Natale takes over. Kawale had served as president of Rogers’ Enterprise Business Unit since Dec. 2014. Rogers says the former Cisco Canada head is moving on “to focus on his philanthropic and community activities.” Frank Boulben, who had served as the company’s chief strategy officer, and Jacob Glick, who had been chief corporate affairs officer since 2014, also left earlier this year.
Sean Craig is leaving the National Post to join the Global News online team as an investigative reporter. Most recently, Craig was the media reporter for the Financial Post.
Chris Edelman, general sales manager of Z103.5 (CIDC-FM) Toronto and Proud FM (CIRR-FM) adds Jewel 88.5 FM (CKDX-FM) to his roster of responsibilities and has been elevated to GSM of Evanov Radio’s GTA stations. Franca Sperandeo, CIDC-FM/CIRR-FM senior sales rep, moves into the position of retail sales manager for Evanov’s GTA stations, working under Edelman.
Marni Otis has taken over a newly-created position at Pelmorex where she’ll head marketing for the Weather Network and MétéoMédia. Otis was the former director of marketing for Transat.
David Walmsley, editor-in-chief of the Globe and Mail, is the new chair of the board for The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF). He replaces John Cruickshank, the former publisher of the Toronto Star, recently appointed Consul General of Canada in Chicago.
Marc Carnes is the new chief executive officer of CKUA Edmonton. Carnes replaces interim director Katrina Ingram, who held the post after longtime CEO Ken Regan retired in February. Carnes, a local arts advocate, previously worked as fundraising chair on the Don Iveson mayoral campaign and was director of community relations for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Winspear Centre. He’s also a past board president of Fringe Theatre Adventures with a long history of community involvement.
Former Global News correspondent Jas Johal was successfully elected as the Liberal candidate in the new provincial riding of Richmond-Queensborough in Tuesday’s B.C. provincial election. Former Global BC morning host Steve Darling, who also ran for the Liberals, finished second in Burnaby-Lougheed.
