Taylor Jukes is headed stateside to join iHeartRadio Miami and take up program director duties for WHYI-FM and Y100. Since Nov. 2017, Jukes has been senior manager of national content for Bell Media’s iHeartRadio Canada network. She joined Bell Media in 2015 as program director for 99.9 Virgin Radio (CKFM-FM) Toronto, following a programming stint with Newcap Vancouver at LG 104.3 (CHLG-FM) and Shore 104 (CHHR-FM). She’s also been on-air at 94.5 Virgin Radio (CFBT-FM) Vancouver, 103.9 The Juice (CKOO-FM) Kelowna, Q94 FM (CHIQ-FM) Winnipeg, and 91.7 The Bounce (CHBN-FM) Edmonton, among other stations.
Derek Taylor is the new play-by-play voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 620 CKRM Regina, starting Apr. 24. He’ll also host afternoon sports talk show Sportscage and serve as sports director. Taylor has been anchoring at TSN for the past four and a half years. Rod Pedersen has hung up his headphones after 20 seasons as the radio voice of the Roughriders. He’d been the station’s sports director since 1995.
Evanov Halifax has undergone a mid-ratings staff exodus following the January rebrand of Rock 105 (CKHY-FM) to Lite AC format Jewel 105. Program director Jason “JD” Desrosiers, who had been with the station since 2015; afternoon drive host Mike McFarland; and promotions coordinator Katie Gordon have all given their notice. McFarland and Gordon had been with Evanov since 2017. Lexi Hirtle, the midday host on sister station Hot Country 103.5 (CKHZ-FM) has also left to take a job outside the industry. Evanov has hired voiceover veteran Joe Dawson to take over the afternoon drive slot on Jewel. Read the full story here.
Hannah Witherbee is joining HOT 107 (CJNW-FM) Edmonton as music director and midday host, starting Apr. 15. She replaces Kevin Hayes, who has moved to Calgary. Witherbee is currently swing host at 104.9 Virgin Radio (CFMG-FM).
Marie Kelly has been tapped to helm ACTRA, the national union representing Canadian performers working in the English-language recorded media sector, as executive director and chief negotiator. Kelly is a veteran labour lawyer and arrives at ACTRA after six years with the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) where she most recently held the role of CEO/CAO. Prior to ONA, she worked for the United Steelworkers where, over the course of 22 years, she served as executive director, legal counsel and became the first woman in North America to be appointed to the position of assistant director. Kelly’s appointment is effective immediately. Retiring executive director Stephen Waddell will stay on with the union in an advisory role until fall 2020. Read more here.
Melissa Thomas is the new imaging director for Harvard Broadcasting stations X92.9 (CFEX-FM) Calgary and X100.7 (CKEX-FM) Red Deer. Thomas, who’ll be relocating to Calgary, has been the commercial and imaging producer for Rogers’ 105.3 Rock (CKMH-FM) Medicine Hat for the last two years, in addition to recently acquired 102.1 CJCY-FM. Former X92.9 imaging producer Gary McClenaghan recently stepped down to focus on his voiceover business.
Mike McGuire has joined Rock 102 (CJDJ-FM) Saskatoon as host of The Takeover with McGuire, airing weekdays at noon. He’ll also be heard weekend mornings, in addition to Rawlco sister stations C95 (CFMC-FM) and CKOM. Most recently, McGuire has been serving as the in-game announcer for the Saskatchewan Rush Lacrosse Club. Up until last May, he was also morning show host and music director at Big Dog 92.7 (CHBD-FM) Regina.
Mauler, Rush & Jenni of the Hot 89.9 (CIHT-FM) Ottawa morning show are now being heard on Stingray sister station Hot 105.5 (CKQK-FM) Charlottetown. “The New Morning Hot Tub with Mauler, Rush & Jenni” started airing in early April. Former morning show host Johnny Novak departed the station in mid-March to do afternoons on KiSS 103.1 (CHTT-FM) Victoria, while his former co-host Ashley Bee has joined Charlottetown Toyota.
Mark Steinmetz, CBC’s senior director of music for the last 15 years, has announced he’ll be leaving at the end of May. Steinmetz is responsible for music programming on CBC Radio One, Radio 2, Radio 3 and CBC Country on SiriusXM, in addition to cbcmusic.ca, and initiatives like the CBC Music Festival. He hasn’t revealed where he’s landing.
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