Originally published in the March 6, 2015 edition of The Weekly Briefing
Angus Frame is the new president of Torstar, as of March 3. Frame formerly held the title of Chief Digital Officer, joining the company in November 2023. He previously worked for Torstar from 2017-21 as SVP, Digital Product before leaving to pursue a similar position at Patch.com. He succeeds Neil Oliver, who had served as CEO since late 2022 and now moves into the position of Executive Vice-Chair.
Drex is being heard on Corus Radio’s Edge-branded Alternative Rock stations in Toronto and Calgary, as of March 3. The Drex Show is being heard in mornings on 107.3 the Edge (CFGQ-FM) Calgary and then in afternoon drive in Toronto on 102.1 the Edge (CFNY-FM). The former host of the Drex on JACK morning show on JACK FM (CJAX-FM) Vancouver and Corus talk network late night host has most recently been heard filling in for John Oakley on Corus’ AM 640 (CFIQ-AM) Toronto and hosting evenings on Toronto’s Indie88 (CIND-FM). Read more here.
Carter Brown has joined Torres Media’s newest station, Mix 98.5 (CITM-FM) Ottawa as midday host. A market veteran, Brown has previously co-hosted the KiSS 105.3 (CISS-FM) and Hot 89.9 (CIHT-FM) morning shows and helmed afternoons on MAJIC 100 (CJMJ-FM, now MOVE).
Blue Ant Media has announced three key promotions to its senior leadership team that see Jamie Schouela named Chief Operating Officer, Carlyn Staudt move into the role of President, Global Channels and Streaming, and Mitch Dent assume the title of President, Canadian Media. All three roles will report directly to CEO Michael MacMillan. Schouela and Dent will continue to operate from Toronto, while Staudt will remain based in Washington, D.C. Read more here.
Stephanie Smyth, the former anchor of CP24’s 5 and 5:30 p.m. newscasts, won her riding of Toronto-St. Paul’s for the Liberals in the Ontario provincial election, defeating NDP incumbent Jill Andrews. Smyth left CP24 in early 2023 after 14 years to pursue other opportunities.
Armand Leo has been appointed Senior Manager, Production Management at Netflix Canada. Leo arrives from Toronto’s Blue Ice Pictures where he was the EVP of Production and Creative affairs for the past six years. Prior to that, he was Entertainment One’s SVP of Global Physical Production. His first project in his new role will be working on a Newfoundland-set limited series, created by The Umbrella Academy showrunner Jesse McKeown.
Benjamin Bao has been promoted to the newly-created role of General Manager, WildBrain China, to drive further growth in the territory as part of the company’s overall APAC business. Bao was previously VP, Greater China for WildBrain CPLG, the company’s global licensing agency.
Sarah Spring has announced her departure from the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), where she’s served as Executive Director since January 2021. The veteran documentary producer is leaving “to begin a mandate” at another organization that is yet-to-be revealed. Spring’s last day at DOC is March 14. An interim Executive Director will be appointed during the leadership transition, while DOC’s Board of Directors conducts a search for Spring’s successor.
Sabrina Haloulakos has been appointed Managing Director at the Reelworld Screen Institute. The newly-created role will see Haloulakos, whose background is in investment banking, oversee day-to-day operations.
