Revolving Door

Torres Media Group has made several internal appointments as the company gears up for the launch of its fourth station, K Country 93.7 (CKOU-FM), serving the Georgina, ON market. In addition to the new station – which is expected to be test-ready by Labour Day – the independent broadcast group operates Rebel 101.7 (CIDG-FM) Ottawa, 103.1 Max FM (CKOD-FM) Valleyfield, QC, and 105.5 Hits FM (CIUX-FM) Uxbridge, ON, along with traffic, weather and programming syndicator SkyWords Media. Tim Wieczorek, previously Operations Director at Rebel 101.7, has been promoted to Executive VP, Radio for the group. Kim Elliot will take on the role of VP of Sales for the group. Former SkyWords program director Elle Volanis takes on a new role as VP, Syndicated Programming. Dan Pollard assumes responsibilities for K Country 93.7, in addition to his duties in Uxbridge as VP, Central Region Radio. Read more here.

Syd Smith, Director of Talk and Talent at Corus Radio Edmonton has announced he’ll be retiring this fall after 24 years with 630 CHED. Smith wraps up a 35-year career in radio, that started in his hometown of Kirkland Lake, ON. After working throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta, he joined 630 CHED in 1996 as the host of the station’s Edmonton Oilers’ broadcasts. A daily sports talk show followed in 1997 and by the following year, Smith was doing double-duty as Assistant Program Director. He was named PD in 2005, adding management of Global News Radio 880 Edmonton to his role in 2008. He relinquished his on-air duties to focus on management full-time in 2012. Read more here.

Brian Wortley is the new Sales Manager at Westman Radio Ltd. Wortley, who has held GM and Sales positions with 99.1 Cool FM (CFPG-FM) and Corus Radio Winnipeg, Craig Broadcasting in Regina, and Evanov Radio in Toronto, was most recently Director of Marketing for Pizza Hotline in Manitoba. His first day with Star FM (CKLF-FM) and Q Country (CKLQ-FM) Brandon will be Aug. 24.  

Curtis Strange, Director of FM Programming at Bell Media Vancouver’s QMFM (CHQM-FM) and Virgin Radio (CFBT-FM), has parted ways with the company. He had been with the stations since 2013.

Amy Volume is now being heard middays on Rogers’ 106.1 CHEZ-FM Ottawa and on 92 CITI FM Winnipeg, from noon to 3 p.m. Volume was previously heard on CHEZ-FM sister station KiSS 105.3 (CISS-FM) Ottawa.

Steve Johnston, former agency accounts manager for QX 104 (CFQX-FM) and 94.3 The Drive (CHIQ-FM) Winnipeg, is among the recent retirements at Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. Johnston had been with the station group for the last 24 years.

Adrian Harewood is joining Carleton University’s School of Journalism as an Adjunct Professor. The CBC Ottawa anchor’s courseload includes a grad course on Race and Diversity. Other new instructors this season include Jean-Sebastien Marier, a multiplatform producer for ICI Ottawa-Gatineau’s web team, who’ll be teaching in the Bachelor of Media Production and Design program delivering Introductory Data Storytelling.

Darryl Kyte has been appointed Senior Legal Counsel for ACTRA National, reporting to Marie Kelly, National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator. Kyte has provided counsel to talent working with major networks including CTV, Global, Netflix and HBO. The former CBC journalist also has experience negotiating agreements including sponsorships, and options for television properties. 

IndigiNews has announced the team that will cover Indigenous health, education, and child welfare as it expands on Vancouver Island. It includes Anna McKenzie, whose background is in Indigenous youth support work; Odette Auger, a producer for Cortes Island co-op station, CKTZ 89.5; writer Catherine (Katłįà) Lafferty and University of King’s College Journalism student Bayleigh Marelj.

Sarah Miller Wright, Shaw Communications’ SVP of Digital, Product Development and Service Delivery, has left the company to join Manulife Canada as Chief Operations Officer. Miller Wright had been with Shaw for the last seven years and previously held the position of SVP, Customer Care.

Thunderbird Entertainment has appointed David Way to the role of President and Wendy McKernan to the role of Chief Operating Officer at Thunderbird factual division, Great Pacific Media. Way, who first joined Great Pacific in 2015 as Creative Director and led the development of multiple series, will oversee IP development and new original content production, as well as strategic relations with external partners as part of his new role. McKernan joined Great Pacific in 2013 and has played a key role in developing the company’s talent recruitment, business affairs and production management system. In her new role, she’ll oversee all production, including lifestyle and factual programming.