Originally published in the Dec. 11, 2025 edition of The Weekly Briefing
Ian March has been appointed Operations Manager for Local Radio Lab as part of a management shuffle as the company focuses on building the “Indie” brand across its stations. Mike Religa moves into March’s former role of Program Director for Indie88 (CIND-FM) Toronto and will continue as Indie88 Music Director. Brandon Ripco has been appointed Content Director for Local Radio Lab and Assistant Program Director at Indie 88.
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Josie Balka, morning show co-host on Country 105 (CKRY-FM) Calgary, has been released by Corus Entertainment. Balka, who is also a published author with a TikTok following of more than 965K, had been with the station since 2021 when she stepped in for the retiring Robyn Adair. Gregg Reynolds continues on the morning show solo.
Rob Chiaramida and Corus Entertainment have parted ways. Chiaramida had been with Corus since 2005, most recently holding the title of VP, National Radio and Eastern Canada.
Rhonda Brown is stepping down as News Director and Station Manager at Global News Halifax. Brown had been with the station for 13 years and in her current role since 2017.
Susan Kohar has been restructured at Corus Entertainment after 13 years with the company. Kohar was most recently the Regional Business Manager for Global News, based in Toronto.
Allison Dore is stepping away from her afternoon drive show, The Breakdown, on SiriusXM Canada’s Canada Talks channel after 12 years. A day one staple on the channel, Dore’s final show will air on Dec. 19.
Kevin Perkins is retiring from Farm Radio international after 20 years as the non-profit’s Executive Director. He’ll step down at the end of December, when longtime Director of Programs Ian Pringle will succeed him in the role. Perkins will stay on as an advisor and volunteer with the organization.
Joanne Legin is returning to radio and Toronto’s 680 News (CFTR-AM) after seven years working in communications at World Vision. Caught up in restructuring at the charity earlier this year, Legin joins 680 News as Senior Weekend Editor. She started her journalism career at the station in 2005.
George Hayes has retired from 99.9 FM The Fox (CFGX-FM) Sarnia after 25 years, holding roles including morning host, Program Director and Operations Manager. Hayes career started in Woodstock and then Leamington on CHYR in 1984. He went on to be heard as one of the first announcers on K106.3 (CHKS-FM) Sarnia when the station launched in 1999.
Natalie Diezyn is the new Head of Brand at woman-led content studio, SickBird Productions. She’ll lead brand partnerships across socials, podcasts, and original unscripted content. She joins SickBird after holding marketing, publicity and partnerships roles with The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., and The TARO Group, where she drove global campaigns, shaped digital strategy, and partnered with creators to deliver branded content. SickBird has offices in Toronto, New York, L.A. and London.
Fion Anastassiades, Fraser Lockerbie, and Tatiana Hermanns have been appointed to the TVO Board of Directors. Anastassiades, an Ottawa-based management consultant joins the TVO board as Vice Chair on a three-year term. Lockerbie, founder of political advertising and creative firm, Civil Agency, comes on as a director for the next two years. Hermanns, a broker at Toronto’s Chestnut Park Real Estate, also joins as a director on a two-year term.
