REVOLVING DOOR:
Marci Ien is taking a leave of absence from Bell Media to run as the federal Liberal candidate in Toronto Centre. The longtime CTV personality who has most recently been co-hosting roundtable current affairs show, The Social, made the announcement on social media, saying “I’ve always strived to provide a voice to people who need it most — and now more than ever, we need all Canadians’ voices and aspirations to be reflected in the hard work of building a better future.” Read more here.
Kia Nurse has joined TSN as a basketball analyst. Nurse started her new role with the network Sept. 22, contributing analysis of the NBA and WNBA Playoffs during TSN’s SPORTSCENTRE. She’ll make regular appearances on TSN platforms while maintaining her on-court roles with Canada’s National Women’s Team and the WNBA’s New York Liberty. The two-time NCAA women’s basketball champion, WNBA All-Star, and Canadian Olympian previously appeared on TSN as an analyst during the network’s NCAA March Madness coverage in 2019.
Tracy Tong has taken over anchoring Global Montreal’s supper hour newscasts, as of this past Monday. Tong will helm the newscasts out of Toronto, following senior anchor Jamie Orchard’s release last month as part of ongoing layoffs at Corus.
Hello #Montreal! I’m your new anchor on @Global_Montreal at 5:30pm & 6:30pm starting today. Tune in live on the @GlobalTV app or on Amazon @PrimeVideo. See you soon.
— Tracy Tong (@TracyTongTV) September 21, 2020
Mia Sosiak has left Global Calgary after 20 years with the network to spend more time with her family. Sosiak started with Global News in Winnipeg in 2000 as an online journalist right out of the Ryerson Journalism program, and has since held roles as an anchor, reporter, producer and VJ in Lethbridge and Calgary. She’d held the title of Managing Editor since 2017.
Stacey Brotzel and Rob Williams have been released by CTV Edmonton. The on-air team had co-hosted CTV Morning Live Edmonton since 2012. They were informed following the Sept. 14 show that it would be their last with the station.
David Gutnick is leaving CBC Radio after 35 years with the public broadcaster. Based in Montreal, Gutnick has covered stories around the world, most recently producing documentaries for CBC Radio One’s Ideas and The Sunday Edition, among other projects.
Jason D’Souza has left CBC Vancouver after eight years to join CBC Toronto, sitting in as interim host of Fresh Air. D’Souza is filling in for Nana aba Duncan, who is currently on sabbatical studying the experiences of racialized and women leaders in Canadian media as a William Southam Journalism Fellow at the University of Toronto’s Massey College.
Lorie Russell, Vice President and Managing Director, at Toronto’s JAZZ.FM91 (CJRT-FM), is leaving the station in mid-December. The former Newcap Toronto GM has held the position since Mar. 2019, following the appointment of a new board of directors and senior management. The station is currently searching for its next General Manager. Read more here.
John Crawford retires this Friday, Sept. 25, from CFTK-TV Terrace and Bell Media Radio, BC North. Crawford leaves one day after celebrating his 30th anniversary in Terrace. Originally from Chatham, ON, he began his radio career as an announcer at KC Radio (CKKC-FM) Nelson and Creston, BC in the late 1970s, then transitioned to sports in Salmon Arm in the 1980s. He eventually moved into news in Smithers in 1988, before taking over the morning radio desk in Terrace in Sept. 1990. He was appointed news director in 2007. Hillary Johnson assumes the role of news director for the stations.
Don Millar is retiring from Whiteoaks Communications Group’s JOY Radio (CJYE-AM) Oakville, effective Oct. 16. Millar has been with the company nearly 20 years as Program Director and Director of Operations. Prior to launching the Greater Toronto Area’s first licensed Christian station in 2001, Millar established CJOS-AM Caronport, SK in 1995, while a student at Briercrest Bible College. His career began in Smiths Falls, ON at CJET (’69-70), with stops at Ottawa’s CKPM (’71-72), Chatham’s CFCO (’72-76), Hamilton’s CHML (’76-77), and then over a decade on radio and TV at CHEX-AM/TV, and CFMP Peterborough (’77-91). After attending seminary, he returned to St. Catharines to work with CHSC (’97-01), before joining Whiteoaks in 2001. Friends and former colleagues are invited to share their memories by video, audio or in writing to: welldone@joyradio.ca. The station is planning a virtual celebration in mid-October.
Brad McDonald is taking early retirement from Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. McDonald has been an account manager with the company for the last 26 years, most recently with JR Country (CJJR-FM) and 102.7 The Peak (CKPK-FM) Vancouver. McDonald started his broadcast sales career in 1984 with Fraser Valley Broadcasters.
Martin Strong is hosting new Saturday program, Vancouver Consumer, on CKNW 980 AM. Strong, who was most recently a host at the now defunct Roundhouse Radio (CIRH-FM) was a longtime morning show fixture on CKNW sister station Rock 101 (CFMI-FM). He’s also been serving as the Broadcasting department head at the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts).
Seth Armstrong has joined The Richest as one of their YouTube voiceover artists. Armstrong was most recently one half of the My92.1 (CHMX-FM) Regina morning show, up until this past June, when he and co-host Leah Ramsay were caught up in layoffs at Harvard Broadcasting.
Sarah Krichel joins The Tyee as a social media manager. Krichel, a 2019 Ryerson Journalism grad, was previously part of the executive of not-for-profit Canadian University Press, and editor-in-chief of campus paper, The Eyeopener.
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has hired two leads to support under-represented communities. Tamara Dawit is an Ethiopian-Canadian producer/director, based in Toronto, who’ll act as lead for the English market. Diego Briceño is a Colombian-born producer, director, concept developer and editor of social documentaries, based in Montréal, who’ll be the lead for the French market. Both will work with CMF execs to lead consultations with under-represented communities and contribute to the development of CMF’s anti-racism and inclusion strategy. Adam Garnet Jones will act as Lead, Indigenous Initiatives on behalf of both CMF and Telefilm. Jones is a screenwriter, director and novelist, who has been with Telefilm since 2018. His newly-expanded mandate will include outreach activities with Indigenous communities and initiatives intended to increase representation of Indigenous creators.
Blue Ant Media has announced the promotions of Jamie Schouela to President, Global Channels and Media; and Carlyn Staudt to Global General Manager, Love Nature. The changes will see Schouela, who was previously President, Canadian Media, lead the company’s streaming and linear television networks and digital platforms, as well as Blue Ant Media’s print products and consumer events. Staudt, formerly EVP, Programming and Development for Love Nature, will head up the channel’s strategic direction and operations globally, including commissioning and development, programming, digital content, marketing and communications, as well as international affiliate sales.
Caroline Tyre has been appointed to the new position of WildBrain’s Vice President, Global Sales & Rights Strategy, while Lara Ilie takes on the title of VP, Revenue Share & Transactional. Based in Toronto, Tyre will be responsible for leading WildBrain’s international sales team outside of China and oversee the implementation of the company’s commercial content strategy. She will work closely with and report to Deirdre Brennan, EVP, Content Partnerships. Prior to joining WildBrain, Tyre served as SVP, International Sales & GM of Kartoon Channel! at Genius Brands International.
In her newly-created role, Ilie will be responsible for expanding WildBrain’s VOD strategy and emerging revenue streams. Also based in Toronto, Ilie will report to Brennan. Under the reorganization, Tyre will spearhead content distribution for US, UK and pan-European markets, previously managed by Jerry Diaz who left the company last month. Sales Manager Rebecca Lugo will add Spain and Italy to her territories, and Darcee McCartney will add Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, while Director of European sales, Wiebke Hoefer adds Ireland. Jianbo Wei, WildBrain’s Managing Director for China, will continue to represent WildBrain content and licensing in China. Lisa Lee, formerly Sales Manager for China, also departed the company last month.
RADIO & PODCAST:
Acast is expanding into Canada and hired Heather Gordon, CBC/Radio-Canada’s former Digital Sales Director, to lead its buildout in the market. The podcast hosting, analytics and ad tech giant already has Canadian publishing and advertising partners that include TPX (The Podcast Exchange), CBC, Corus, Entertainment One (eOne), and Terry O’Reilly’s Apostrophe Podcast Company. Brian Danzis, Managing Director, Americas at Acast, said with Gordon at the helm, they’ll be looking to scale podcasting’s ad potential. “As more and more podcasts become borderless, capturing interest from listeners in multiple territories, it’s increasingly important to offer ad partners cross-market campaigns that reach consumers in North America and beyond,” said Danzis. Read more here.
Jim Pattison Broadcast Group’s Prince George stations, 99.3 The Drive (CKDV-FM), 101.3 The River (CKKN-FM), and CKPG-TV, in cooperation with The Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, teamed up for Spirit Day 2020 on Sept. 17. The 16-hour on location broadcast, which included live hits during CKPG-TV News at Noon and 5 p.m., initially raised over $90,000 with the help of a phone bank of socially-distanced volunteers. CKPG FunChaser (and 1st year BCIT Broadcast Student) Sylvia Masich issued a challenge during Thursday’s event, pledging that if $100,000 was raised, she would shave her head. Over the weekend, donations exceeded that mark (double the $50K raised in 2019) and Masich kept her promise, donating her hair for wigs for medical patients.
LISTEN: Piya Chattopadhyay joins the podcast this week to talk about her new role as host of CBC Radio One’s The Sunday Magazine. Taking over the Sunday morning timeslot from veteran broadcaster Michael Enright, who wrapped the long-running The Sunday Edition in June, the former Middle East correspondent talks about “walking her own path, in her own shoes” as the show moves to a live format.
LISTEN: Voice actress Lili Wexu is now based in Los Angeles, but started in Montreal as an imaging talent at Mix 96. Wexu talks with Matt Cundill about her evolution through the voice industry, how it’s changed, and has some tips on navigating the voiceover world in 2020. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
SIGN OFFS:
Suzanne Hansen (aka Mary S. Johnston), 77, on Sept. 15. Hansen was a reporter with CFAX Radio in Victoria in the 1970s, before turning her eye to real estate and eventually politics, successfully running for a city council seat in the late 1980s. She retired from politics in the early ‘90s after unsuccessfully running as a provincial candidate for the Social Credit party in Victoria-Beacon Hill. She went on to run a successful commercial day lily growing business, based in Mill Bay.
Bill Anderson, 98, on Sept.9. Anderson started his career in broadcasting in his hometown of Saint John at CHSJ Radio, while still in high school, prior to enlisting in WWII. He saw action in Belgium, Germany, Holland France, and following the war, chose to stay in the army to work with the press liaison office, leaving the military with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Among the wartime correspondents he worked closely with were Walter Cronkite and the CBC’s Matthew Halton. He eventually returned to Saint John and became a fixture as an on-air personality at CFBC Radio. In the late 1950s, he left the Maritimes for Toronto where he worked in communications and public relations. Since 1993, he and his wife had been living in Goderich, ON. In retirement, he volunteered for over two decades as an audio book reader for the CNIB.
Freeman Roach, 81, on Sept. 6, of cancer. Roach started his broadcasting career in his hometown of New Glasgow at CKEC in 1958. From there, he went to CFNB Bathurst, NB from 1960-66, and then landed at CJCB Sydney in Cape Breton (1967-75) where he would endear himself to listeners as host of popular request show “Roach’s Ranch.” He moved on to CHER Sydney in 1976 and then CJFX Antigonish in 1977, where he served both on-air and as program director. In 1985, he took a decade-long break from radio, starting back at The Coast (CKOA-FM) Glace Bay in 1995. He retired from broadcasting in 2005.
TV & FILM:
CTV Feature Documentary, Howie Mandel: But, Enough About Me, premieres on Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 12 at 9 p.m. ET. Produced by Melbar Entertainment, in partnership with Bell Media, and directed by Barry Avrich, the doc is told through Mandel’s own voice, examining the comedian’s life and career as well as his struggles with mental illness while managing a relentless pace in his professional and private life. The two-hour documentary begins streaming on Crave Oct. 13.
OMNI is set to debut late night talk show, Canadian Jewish TV (CJTV), on OMNI1, Oct. 1 at 11:30 p.m. ET. Hosted by Canadian poet Ieden Wall, the show will feature interviews and performances from notable Jewish figures, including Robert Lantos, Libby Znaimer, and Mark Breslin, among others. In keeping with Wall’s background, CJTV will also feature a spoken-word, short film series based on new poems from the host’s upcoming book, The Wisdom of the Wall 2. With the loss of Canadian Jewish News earlier this year, CJTV says it’s aiming to fill the void with a “traditional” style Jewish show “that avoids getting hung up on extreme sides of the political spectrum.”
Global Mechanic, the Vancouver animation studio behind Emmy-nominated digital interactive story Scribbles & Ink (PBS/WGBH) has joined forces with Northern Ireland’s ALT Animation to co-develop Class Clown (11mins x 52 episodes). Imagined by veteran Canadian writer Ian Boothby (Simpsons Comics, Futurama Comics, MAD Magazine), the series follows a clown and carnival family that decides to settle down in the suburbs after years of being on the road. The story centres around the family’s son Jimmy Jingles, a boy who just wants to fit in at his new school. Only trouble is, he’s descended from a long line of clowns and looks it. The two studios are currently preparing to take the property to MIPCOM Online+ this October to secure additional funding and broadcast partners.
REGULATORY, TELECOM & MEDIA:
The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) says it remains optimistic revisions to the Broadcasting Act will be introduced during the upcoming session of parliament, following Wednesday’s Speech from the Throne. Included in the Liberal government’s outline of its upcoming priorities was a commitment to “address corporate tax avoidance by digital giants.” “Web giants are taking Canadian’s money while imposing their own priorities,” read Governor General Julie Payette. “Things must change and will change. The Government will act to ensure their revenue is shared more fairly with our creators and media, and will also require them to contribute to the creation, production, and distribution of our stories, on screen, in lyrics, in music, and in writing.” Earlier in the week, the CMPA was among a collective of film and television organizations that issued a joint statement imploring the government to keep a promise to overhaul the Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Copyright Acts. Read more here.
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) says it is now in a position to start administering $22.5 million in emergency funding from Canadian Heritage directed to private independent radio, local television and discretionary services. Guidelines suggest an allocation of a maximum $3M for eligible independent television services; $7.25M for discretionary television services; and $11M for eligible private radio services. Payments will be based on a company’s relative proportion of news and information expenditures within each of the three independent broadcaster categories. The minimum payment for eligible independent broadcasters is $5,000.
BROADCAST TECH & ENGINEERING:
LISTEN: Keith Pelletier, General Manager of Dielectric, talks Master FM systems on this episode of Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast, including the company’s eight-station installation in Lima, Peru. Listen on your favourite podcast app or here:
