Stephanie Friedman is being restructured out of her position as VP Radio, Nielsen Entertainment, effective at year end. Friedman began working with BDSradio during its infancy 20 years ago, first with Bohn & Associates as GM, BDSradio Canada. She transitioned to The Nielsen Company as GM, Nielsen BDSradio North America in 2009, and had been in her current position in 2014. The moves comes as a result of internal restructuring with an announcement forthcoming.
Monique Lafontaine is the CRTC’s new Commissioner for Ontario. A Toronto-based lawyer, Lafontaine brings over 17 years’ experience in entertainment and communications law. Her five-year term is effective Jan. 2. The position was previously held by Raj Shoan, who continues his court battle appealing his second dismissal.
Tommy Schnurmacher has announced his retirement after 40 years in broadcasting, more than half of that with CJAD 800 Montreal as host of Gang of Four. His last broadcast will be on Dec. 13 in front of live audience. To fill Schnurmacher’s hour, CJAD will move Natasha Hall up to noon and add a second hour of the national Evan Solomon Show from 2 – 4 p.m.
Alex Pierson has a new show on the newly-rebranded Global News Radio network in Ontario. She’ll being heard weeknights from 7 – 10 p.m. on AM 640 (CFMJ-AM) Toronto, AM980 News (CFPL-AM) London and AM 900 CHML Hamilton. Pierson launched her career at CHML and CHCH-TV news, going on to the New VR, CityTV/CP24, Global TV, Sun News and NewsTalk 1010 (CFRB-AM) Toronto. As of late she was also a media advisor to the Ontario PC Party.
Charles Adler will be heard nationally across the Corus Radio/Global News Radio network, starting in January. Charles Adler Tonight will air on AM 640 (CFMJ-AM) Toronto and AM 980 News (CFPL-AM) London following Alex Pierson’s time slot. Adler is already heard on 680 CJOB Winnipeg, 630 CHED Edmonton, NewsTalk 770 Calgary (CHQR-AM) and CKNW NewsTalk 980 Vancouver.
Andrew Yates is the new managing editor of news at Huff Post Canada. Yates was formerly a senior producer with the CBC Digital Team and most recently Content Director at Cineplex Entertainment. Toronto-based freelance journalist Davide Mastracci takes on the role of associate editor of blogs/opinion.
Ara Andonian will be joining the recently-launched 103.1 Beach Radio (CKQQ-FM) Kelowna as morning show host in the New Year. Andonian is currently holding down afternoons on KiSS RADiO (CKSS-FM) Vancouver. He was previously in the Kelowna market as afternoon host on SUN FM (CHSU-FM) circa 2009.
Brad Legere has left Evanov Halifax, where he was promotions coordinator, host of 90s at Noon on Live 105 (CKHY-FM) and swing announcer on Hot Country 103.5 (CKHZ-FM). He’s now covering swing for Bell Media’s C100 (CIOO-FM) and Virgin Radio (CJCH-FM) Halifax.
Boat Rocker Media has appointed Shannon Valliant to the newly-created position of Chief Financial Officer. Valliant comes to Boat Rocker from Rogers Communications where she held executive operations and strategy roles in the Consumer and Enterprise Business Units, and led the Media Business Unit finance organization for five years.
Amanda Misner has been shuffled again within the MBS Radio network. Misner has returned as morning show host on Magic 94.9 (CKWM-FM) Kentville, NS after brief stints at FX 101.9 (CHFX-FM) Halifax as morning co-host and host of afternoon drive.
Mehernaz Lentin has been appointed senior director of the CBC Breaking Barriers Film Fund. Reporting to Sally Catto, general manager of programming, Lentin will build on the foundation laid by interim director Helen du Toit, who was brought on board last fall while a permanent head was recruited. Lentin will also handle all film pre-licensing while Jenna Bourdeau, senior director, acquisitions at CBC, will continue to manage all film acquisitions.
Keith Chinnery has emerged as another longtime Bell Media employee caught up in November’s layoffs. With the Windsor stations for nearly 30 years, Chinnery spent the last 20 as program director of AM 800 (CKLW-AM). For the last two years, he was also PD of AM 580 (CKWW-AM).
