The Weekly Briefing

REVOLVING DOOR:

Travis Dhanraj has been named the incoming host of CBC News daily prime time program, Canada Tonight, starting in January. Dhanraj succeeds Ginella Massa, who departed CBC News Network over the summer. Most recently with CBC consumer affairs program Marketplace, Dhanraj returned to CBC in 2021 as a senior reporter in the Parliamentary Bureau, after serving as Global News’ Queen’s Park Bureau Chief. He had previously worked as a reporter for the public broadcaster in Toronto and Edmonton from 2011-14. Read more here.

Marianne Dimain has joined CBC News Network as weekend morning host, in addition to contributing to breaking news coverage on Morning Live, Monday to Wednesday. Dimain left Global Toronto in late October after 13 years with the station. 

Mary Hynes has decided to retire from CBC Radio at the end of this season of Tapestry, the program she’s hosted for two decades. With Hynes’ retirement, the long-running program will culminate with a season finale airing Dec. 31. A former sports reporter for The Globe and Mail, Hynes also worked with TVO, helping launch the live, nightly news show Studio 2, serving as its co-host during the first two seasons. She later hosted Imprint, the network’s show about the world of books. 

Samira Mohyeddin has announced her departure from CBC to pursue other opportunities. Mohyeddin has been a host and producer with CBC since 2016, most recently producing on The Current, and hosting and producing Gay Girl Gone, a podcast about the disappearance of infamous LGBT blogger, Girl in Damascus.

Keith Whelan is retiring from CBC News after 47 years as a cameraman. Whelan, who got his start in broadcasting working with Memorial University’s in-house educational broadcaster, first joined CBC in 1976 as a film editor in St. John’s, NL. He later freelanced as a film cameraman, formally taking a CBC staff position in 1987 in Ottawa, working on On The Road Again with Wayne Rostad. He returned to Newfoundland in the ’90s, before heading back to Toronto in 2002, covering news, sports (including numerous Olympic Games), and other events for The National, among many other programs.

Donna Guzik has revealed that CBC Radio has cut her nationally syndicated business column. Guzik had been heard on CBC Radio across the country for almost 14 years.

Josie Dye is departing the morning show on Indie88 (CIND-FM) Toronto, effective Friday, Nov. 24. Dye has been with the station the last seven years, arriving from Corus Entertainment’s 102.1 The Edge (CFNY-FM) and W Network. Dye has also been co-hosting Cynthia and Josie’s Unmentionables, alongside Cynthia Loyst for the past year.

Darryl Henry has announced his retirement after 39 years in broadcasting. He began his career in 1984 as the all-night host at CKLQ Brandon, MB, before moving on to be a part of the inaugural on air team at 97.7 HTZ-FM St. Catharines, and then CJFM and MIX 96 Montreal. Henry later joined 97.3 EZ Rock Toronto for 14 years, before signing on at 98.1 CHFI in 2010.  

John Gormley is stepping away from his radio show on Rawlco Radio’s 650 CKOM Saskatoon after 25 years. His last show will air Nov. 24. Gormley plans to remain in Saskatchewan, practice labour and employment law, and travel.

Stuart McGinn has joined Newstalk 1010 (CFRB-AM) Toronto as morning news anchor. McGinn arrives from Narcity where he’d been an editor for the past year. Prior to that, he held anchoring and reporting roles with CityNews 570 (CKGL-AM) Kitchener, CityNews 680 (CFTR-AM) Toronto, and CityNews 1310 (CIWW-AM) Ottawa, among other stations.

Morgan Ryan has retired as the host of Windsor’s Country Mornings, heard on Country 95.9 (CJWF-FM) Windsor and Country 92.7 (CJSP-FM) Leamington, to focus on family. Ryan’s radio career stretches back nearly two decades, her last 11 years with Blackburn Media in the Windsor market. She has also spent time on-air in the Cayman Islands on Z99 (ZFZZ-FM).

Melissa Lamb has returned to CTV Morning Live Ottawa. She will be presenting traffic and weather as well as lifestyle stories, focused on parenting. Lamb was previously a host and weather anchor with the show for seven years, up until getting caught up in a round of layoffs in November 2017. 

Thomas Seal, Bloomberg’s reporter in London, UK for the last seven years, has announced he’ll be moving to Canada in the New Year. Seal will take on the role of West Coast bureau chief for the network, based in Vancouver.

Wodek Szemberg is among those taking a package at TVO following the conclusion of recent job action. Szemberg has been a producer with the Ontario public broadcaster for nearly 46 years. Charnel Anderson, who had been a journalist with TVO since 2020; Daniel Kitts, a digital producer, among other roles, for 24 years; and Harrison Lowman, who has been a producer on The Agenda since 2017, have also announced their departures from the broadcaster.

Ryan Lehal has joined Global BC as a writer and producer. Lehal was formerly the producer of 980 CKNW Vancouver afternoon talk show, The Jas Johal Show.

Justin Young is the new Director of Brand and Audience Engagement at BC’s Knowledge Network. Young formerly served as Managing Director at Radar DDB, the social media division of full-service agency DDB Canada. He subsequently founded social media agency, Village&Co, working as a partner with organizations including the David Suzuki Foundation, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and TransLink.

Jean-Philippe Grimard and Guillaume Corbeil-Archambault have joined Cogeco Media as Digital and Programmatic Sales Manager, within the National Sales division, and Head, Digital Marketing, respectively. Grimard was previously a National Digital Account Executive with Bell Media and prior to that held a similar role with Groupe V Media. Corbeil-Archambault arrives from an Account Manager position at Montreal digital strategy agency, Adviso.

Blue Ant Media has unveiled new leadership across the company’s yet-to-be named studio and rights business, led by Co-Presidents, Mark Bishop and Matthew Hornburg, following the company’s recent acquisition of marblemedia. Led by Hornburg, Blue Ant Media’s Unscripted Development team includes Jennifer Harkness, who has taken the development reins of Factual Entertainment from the studio’s L.A. office. From the Toronto office, Kelsey Espensen leads development for Unscripted Entertainment and Steve Gamester leads Specialist Factual Development. The studio’s Scripted Development team, under the leadership of Bishop, will see Scripted Drama & Comedy helmed by Carrie Paupst Shaughnessy, who will be focused on Scripted Production; while Melissa Williamson oversees Scripted Development. AJ Trauth leads the expanded Kids, Family and Young Adult division, based in L.A. Josh Bowen will lead the business’ animation studio in Toronto and its planned expansion. Read more here.

RADIO & PODCAST:

Bell Media has found a buyer for three of the AM stations it announced it wanted to divest itself of during a June reorganization that saw the company shutter six other AMs. CINA Radio Group founder and CEO Neeti P. Ray is making a play to buy CHAM and CKOC Hamilton and CKWW Windsor, pending CRTC approval. The proposed sale, which would see Ray acquire the assets of the stations for $445,000, is one of three matters set to come before the commission at a Feb. 8 hearing in Gatineau. CHAM-AM Hamilton is currently branded as Funny 820, CKOC-AM Hamilton as BNN Bloomberg Radio 1150, and CKWW-AM Windsor as oldies station, Motor City Favourites. Ray’s application says he plans operate the stations on the same terms and conditions to ensure continuity. Read more here.

Rogers Sports & Media has launched a national talk show on its CityNews radio stations, helmed by Ottawa broadcast veteran Rob Snow. “Now You Know with Rob Snow” is airing from 1 – 4 p.m. ET on CityNews 570 (CKGL-AM) Kitchener, CityNews 95.7 (CJNI-FM) Halifax, CityNews 660 (CFFR-AM) Calgary, CityNews 1130 (CKWX-AM) Vancouver, and online at CityNews.ca. It will also be released as a daily podcast through Frequency Podcast Network. The move marks the first time talk is airing on the Vancouver and Calgary stations, which up until now have broadcast a round-the-clock “news wheel” format. Read more here.

Evanov Communications has rebranded Lite 88.5 (CKDX-FM) Newmarket, ON as Hot Country 88.5, a new country radio station serving the Greater Toronto Area. Making the flip at 9 a.m. Friday morning, Evanov cited the exploding popularity of country music, particularly with a new generation of younger listeners. Hot Country 88.5 joins Evanov’s other Country format stations in Ontario, Hot Country 93.9 Brantford (CFWC-FM), Hot Country 107.7 (CKHK-FM) Hawkesbury, and Hot Country 92.5 (CHRC-FM) Clarence/Rockland. All four stations will share a simulcast morning show, Hot Country Mornings with Tracy Lynn. Nashville-based country DJ Katie Neal’s syndicated Katie & Company is being heard in middays, and Cruise in afternoon drive (who is also heard across the Hot Country brand). Read more here.

Golden West Broadcasting has made a series of format flips in its Saskatchewan markets, introducing Country 106.1 (CKSE-FM) in Estevan (formerly Rock 106), Country 106.7 (CHWY-FM) in Weyburn (formerly BIG 106) and Country 94.1 (CIMG-FM) in Swift Current (formerly The Eagle). Additionally the AM stations in those markets flip to Classic Hits, featuring the best of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, including CJ 1150 (CJSL-AM) Estevan, AM 1190 (CFSL-AM) Weyburn, and CKSW 570 Swift Current.

Rob Carnie is expanding the reach of his morning show across Golden West Broadcasting’s stations in southern Saskatchewan. “Rob Carnie in the Morning” is now being heard beyond 800 CHAB Moose Jaw, on CKSW 570 Swift Current, CJSN 1490 Shaunavon, CJ 1150 (CJSL-AM) Estevan, AM 1190 (CFSL-AM) Weyburn, 1210 CFYM Kindersley and 1330 CJYM Rosetown. Carnie has been with Golden West for more than 36 years. Saskatchewan Program Manager and Western Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Famer Barrie Vice will helm afternoon drive across the AM network.

CP24 and CHUM 104.5 have launched the 57th annual CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish toy drive campaign. The city-wide initiative runs until Dec. 24 at 12 p.m. This year, The Wish introduces an innovative way to donate with a new tapping campaign. Individuals can contribute by simply tapping their credit or debit cards to donate $2, $5, or $10 at all toy drop-off locations. New, unwrapped toy donations for newborns and children up to 18 years (with preference given to toys with an outer package or cover) are being accepted at the official Wish drop-off locations, including: The Wish Warehouse (1366 Blundell Road, Mississauga) and the Main Lobby of Bell Media Studios (299 Queen Street West, Toronto).

SiriusXM Canada has been named the Toronto Raptors official audio music streaming partner under a new multi-year partnership that encompasses halftime shows, a DJ duel, and a new branded arcade game fans will be able to play through the Raptors official mobile app, as well as a state-of-the-art projection game. SiriusXM will also present the Raptors Warm-up Playlist at every home game this season. SiriusXM subscribers can get access to live broadcasts of every NBA game through the post-season on SiriusXM NBA Radio (channel 86 and on the SiriusXM app).

CBC Podcasts and the BBC World Service are set to launch a new podcast, hosted by Oona Chaplin (Game of Thrones), on Jan. 22. Hollywood Exiles is the story of how Chaplin’s grandfather, Charlie Chaplin, became a key figure in a decades-long FBI campaign aimed at rooting out communism from Hollywood. The podcast unravels the real-life events that led to the notorious House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings and the era of the infamous “Hollywood blacklist.” The 10-part series will be available on BBC Sounds, CBC Listen, and most global podcast platforms. It will also be broadcast on BBC World Service radio. Earlier this year, BBC and CBC released the award-winning Love, Janessa and have another show planned for later in 2024.

Chris Connor, an alum of Fredericton radio stations, CFNB, CIBX and CKHJ, and a former play-by-play announcer for the American Hockey League’s Fredericton Canadiens, is the subject of a new GoFundME campaign. Connor, who has been battling MS since 2005, now requires a motorized wheelchair to help him get around. The fundraiser has set a goal of $40,000.

 

Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) is officially launching a digital repository dedicated to preserving and celebrating the musical heritage of Black Canadians. Founded in 2020, the CBMA aims to fill a crucial gap in Canada’s historical narrative by providing an accessible digital platform highlighting the contributions, stories, and legacies of Black musicians across various genres.

 

LISTEN: Durham Radio President and Founder Doug Kirk is the recipient of this year’s Ontario Association of Broadcasters (OAB) board-nominated lifetime achievement honour, the Hall of Fame Award. Kirk, who has grown Durham Radio from a single station in Ajax, ON in 1994 to seven stations today, used his acceptance speech to take aim at the CRTC – which was notably absent from this year’s gathering, as well as big broadcasters practicing widespread consolidation. Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast caught up with Kirk following this year’s awards presentation to talk about everything from the current regulatory environment to industry viability and strategic decision-making.

LISTEN: Radio talent coach Steve Reynolds returns to the latest Sound Off Podcast. In this episode, he and Matt Cundill discuss how his coaching business evolved through the pandemic with less travel, but more meetings; morning show dynamics; the importance of mentorship and why benchmarks on a show are as important as ever. 

SIGN OFFS:

Peter “Vern” Ferguson, 58, on Nov. 14. Originally from Fredericton, NB, Ferguson graduated from Loyalist College’s Radio Broadcasting program in 1987, landing a job as a producer right out of college at Rock 95 (CFJB-FM) Barrie, ON. Ferguson worked with Rock 95 until 1997, with the exception of a brief detour to Q104 (CFRQ-FM) Halifax in the late ’80s. From there, he took on a production coordinator position with Pelmorex Radio Network, the radio division of The Weather Network. He went on to establish his own audio production company in Innisfil, ON, producing commercials, among other audio projects, in addition to voice coaching.

Michel Doucet, 63, on Nov. 14. Doucet was the voice of Radio-Canada’s “Leéveil Nouveau-Brunswick” for 16 years, and more recently the host of Saturday morning show “Michel.” Prior to Radio-Canada, Doucet worked at New Brunswick stations CJVA Radio Acadie in Caraquet, CHLR Radio Aboiteaux in Moncton and CKRO Radio Péninsule in Pokemouche, in addition to contributing to La Tribune in Bathurst, L’Évangéline in Moncton and L’Acadie Nouvelle in Caraquet. A journalist for over 40 years, he was inducted into the Atlantic Journalism Hall of Fame in 2019.

Dave Pears, 71, on Nov. 1. “Pearsy,” as he was known by colleagues, began his broadcasting career in Smithers, BC in 1974. He moved on to CKIQ Kelowna in 1977, where he stayed for the next 19 years. Pears’ more than 40-year radio career continued at CKOV and Power 104, B103, and finally K963, up until his retirement in 2016. In addition to his work on-air, he was known for emceeing numerous community events, including Kelowna Folkfest, the Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake pageants, and countless concerts.

 

TV & FILM:

Blink49 Studios, backed by global producer and distributor Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content), is acquiring a majority stake in Vancouver-based Front Street Pictures. Marking Blink49’s first corporate acquisition, the strategic investment is aimed at expanding the Toronto-based indie studio’s operations throughout Canada. Blink49 Studios was launched in November 2021 by a group of former Entertainment One executives, including John Morayniss, who serves as the studio’s CEO. Under terms of the acquisition, the financial details of which were not disclosed, Front Street Pictures will maintain its brand and continue to be led by its president, Charles Cooper.

Netflix has announced a new first look deal with Quebec producer and distributor, Attraction. The first look will include French-language film projects, which Attraction will develop and produce. President Richard Speer says the partnership will elevate Quebec content to the global stage, demonstrating “Netflix’s commitment to promoting our local Francophone talent to audiences around the world.”

Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On has won an International Emmy in the Arts Programming category, amidst the controversy over the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter’s Indigenous ancestry claims. Directed by Madison Thomas and narrated by Sainte-Marie, the documentary was produced by Eagle Vision, White Pine Pictures and Paquin Entertainment. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and is available to stream on Crave.

The DOC Institute will recognize industry veteran Janice Dawe and filmmaker Noura Kevorkian with its top documentary achievement honours at the 10th Annual DOC Institute Honours Awards, to be presented Dec. 5 in Toronto. Dawe is this year’s winner of the Luminary Award. The founding partner and President of Bizable Media, a Toronto-based consulting firm providing production financing and business affairs services to the film and television community, she has worked with dozens of documentary filmmakers. Before forming Bizable, she was Vice-President and Executive Producer at White Pine Pictures, where she oversaw business development and production of the company’s documentary and drama slate. Noura Kevorkian is this year’s winner of the Vanguard Award. A writer, director, producer, editor, and even composer for her films, Kevorkian’s latest Peabody Award-winning film, the Canada-Lebanon co-production Batata, follows 10 years in the life of an unmarried Syrian woman as she turns from migrant farmhand to refugee, stuck in a camp in Lebanon and unable to return to her hometown. The film is an Official Entry in the 2024 Academy Awards.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television has announced the official dates for Canadian Screen Week 2024. The annual event, bringing together the screen-based industry to celebrate the country’s top talent in the film, television, and digital sectors, will take place from Sunday, April 7 to Sunday, April 14. Nominees for the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards will be announced Feb. 22. 

FuboTV has expanded its offering with the addition of Super Channel to its channel options. With Super Channel, the live TV streaming service expands its base channel plans to include add-on packages, 

Stingray has launched 18 new channels on Samsung TV Plus, Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV and video on-demand (AVOD) service, now available to users in the U.S. on Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy devices, Smart Monitors, Family Hub refrigerators and online. The new audio channels cater to a broad spectrum of musical tastes and genres, including Hot Country, Remember the 80’s, Nothin’ but 90s, Flashback 70s, Smooth Jazz, Easy Listening, The Spa, Today’s K-Pop, Today’s Latin Pop, Romance Latino, Classic Rock, Hip-Hop and Greatest Hits.

Cinespace Studios has announced a new partnership with NABET 700-M UNIFOR to expand its CineCares Workforce Training Program in Toronto. Cameron Pictures and Lark Productions’ upcoming Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, will be the first Canadian production to participate in the program, currently filming at Cinespace Toronto and set to air on Citytv and Citytv+ next spring. Launched earlier this year, the CineCares Workforce Training program offers on-set experience to pursue union membership with selected trainees offered hands-on training on set in the sound, script, and lighting departments. BIPOC TV & FILM, Indigenous Screen Office, and POV Film are recruitment partners.

Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is investing up to $5.5 million into the Calgary Entertainment Arts Production Hub (CEAPH) at Bow Valley College. Located in downtown Calgary, students will have access to training, reskilling, and upskilling programs including 3D animation and visual effects, game development, post-production, augmented and virtual reality, motion capture, esports, and podcasting. Between 2024 and 2028, the CEAPH is expected to train 675 individuals and support more than 125 companies. 

Michael MacLennan has been selected as the Pacific Screenwriting Program (PSP) Showrunner-in-Residence for the 2024 Scripted Series Lab. MacLennan will lead the sixth iteration of the program, which runs from January to April, guiding six up-and-coming BC-based screenwriters in a writer’s room as they develop an original series. Vancouver-born MacLennan has been nominated seven times for the Writers Guild of Canada Canadian Screenwriting Award, and received the 2018 Showrunner of the Year Award. His credits include Co-Executive Producer of Queer As Folk, creator and EP of Godiva’s, and co-EP on Flashpoint. Most recently, he created Tiny Pretty Things for Netflix, which was the streamer’s number-one series worldwide for 14 days.

Charles Martin Smith will be honoured with the Whistler Film Festival Career Achievement Award. The distinction is being presented during the festival’s Talent Luncheon on Nov. 30. The Vancouver-based actor, writer, and director is best known for starring in iconic films including American Graffiti, The Buddy Holly Story, and The Untouchables, and directing the premiere episode of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series, among many other credits. His latest work, This Time, makes its Canadian Festival Premiere at WFF23. 

The 119th Original Santa Claus Parade returns to CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. Melissa Grelo (The Social), Kelsey McEwen (CTV Your Morning), and Tyrone Edwards (ETALK) return to host North America’s longest running children’s parade, while roaming reporter Deepa Prashad (Virgin Radio Toronto) moves with the parade, as it debuts a new route, kicking off at Christie Pits Park and making its way through the heart of downtown Toronto.

CTV News Toronto’s annual Toy Mountain campaign returns for a 28th year, collecting new, unwrapped toys for families, beginning Nov. 23 with a special broadcast on CTV News at Six, live from Bass Pro Shops at Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre. Supporters can stop by with a donation and enjoy live entertainment and hot chocolate. Leading up to the campaign finale on Dec. 22, CTV News Toronto’s Lyndsay Morrison and Andria Case once again lead nightly Toy Mountain progress updates.

Global has announced its schedule of new holiday specials, beginning with Cedric the Entertainer presents The Greatest @Home Videos Holiday Special on Nov. 24. That’s followed by Christmas at Graceland on Nov. 29, celebrating Elvis Presley from his historic estate and Christmas at the Opry on Dec. 7, hosted by Wynonna Judd. On Dec. 10, Global airs A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop taped live from Inglewood, California. Global then takes viewers to Las Vegas for Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas on Dec. 11.

REGULATORY, TELECOM & MEDIA:

The CRTC has kicked off three weeks of hearings on the Online Streaming Act, with Quebecor and Bell urging the commission to expeditiously consider regulatory burdens placed on broadcasters as they wade through a bad advertising climate and foreign competition. On the first day of the hearing, witnesses proposed percentages of previous year’s Canadian broadcasting revenues go toward a mandatory base contribution to support Canadian content funds. The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) also pitched Tuesday the importance of a five per cent base contribution from online services, which it said would translate to about $200 million a year for third-party production funds. Google said the CRTC is putting the cart before the horse when it comes to considering a mandatory contribution before more clearly defining Canadian content. Read full coverage of this week’s hearings in our partner publication, CARTT.ca.

The Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit was included in this week’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement. Effective for labour costs incurred on or after Jan. 1, 2023, the federal government proposes to increase the yearly limit on labour costs that can be claimed per eligible employee from $55,000 to $85,000, and temporarily increase the tax credit rate from 25 to 35% for a period of four years. The measure would cost an estimated $129 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, and $10 million per year ongoing. News Media Canada, which represents 570 news publishing titles, welcomes the changes, while Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, writes that the bailout “raises enormous concerns about the independence of Canadian media.” 

The Canadian Association of Journalists’ third annual Canadian Newsroom Diversity Survey finds about 75.5% of Canadian newsrooms are white, rising to 84% when you reach the supervisory level. The most comprehensive breakdown of Canadian newsrooms to date, the CAJ collected data on 6,035 journalists from 273 newsrooms across radio, television, digital and print media for the 2023 survey. Reflecting data from participating newsrooms, including CBC/Radio-Canada, Global News, Canadaland, Metroland Media, and blogTO, 19.3% of journalists within the organizations surveyed identified as a visible minority, with 5.2% identifying as Indigenous. The survey found about seven in 10 newsrooms have no Indigenous or visible minority staff in their top three leadership positions. Read more here.

The Canadian Ethnic Media Association’s 45th Annual Awards for Journalistic Excellence will take place Nov. 25. Among this year’s winners are Christopher Cheung from The Tyee (Online); Vera He, Fairchild TV in Vancouver (Television); and Anil Thapa from Toronto’s Namaste Radio (Radio). This year’s Sierhey Khmara Ziniak Award, named for CEMA’s founder, is David Martin Shulist of Wilno, ON, an advocate for the Kashubian language and culture, “for his unswerving dedication to multiculturalism and its affirmative expression through media and community engagement.”

CBC/Radio-Canada has announced the renewal of its partnership agreement with German public broadcaster, ZDF. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) focuses on two key areas: exchanging and improving verification of news content; and scripted, factual-entertainment and documentary programming, including co-development and promotion of content for linear, on-demand and digital platforms. The renewed partnership extends over a period of three years.

BROADCAST TECH & ENGINEERING:

Our dedicated volunteers at WABE (Western Association of Broadcast Engineers) have been hard at work over the past few weeks, diligently preparing the best possible experience for you in Vancouver. We are thrilled that so many of you will be joining us in the Shipyard District! For those in the local Vancouver market who haven’t signed up yet, we warmly welcome you to come down and sign up on-site at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier, Nov. 27-29th! 

Day passes are available for $75, the media mixer for $25, and full conference passes are always available on-site. To those who are freelancing, undergoing a career transition, or have recently graduated, our conference is an excellent community to be a part of if you’re looking to explore other opportunities and occupations your skills might lead to. We have a full schedule that covers topics to interest radio, video, audio, and transmission, offering a taste of something for everyone. Get ready for a great event with a diverse lineup of speakers poised to revolutionize the future of media and technology.

Ron Engvaldsen, an Emmy Award-winning engineer, brings 25 years of experience, unveiling his groundbreaking work in developing innovative camera filters, including the game-changing IRND filter technology. Steve Holmes, a Solutions Architect and Application Engineer at Leader Electronics, with an impressive 35 years of video application engineering experience, explores SMPTE 2110 IP Video, PTP, monitoring, 4K, HDR, and video test solutions. Join us as Kirk Harnack, a Real Radio Host, demystifies the intricacies of working virtually with containerized broadcast systems, providing answers to real-life applications. Gary Shumyla of GDS Communications, an award-winning sales professional with over 37 years of sales experience and 50 years of public speaking expertise, adds a unique perspective to the lineup.

The ATSC presentation features Mark Corl, SVP of Emergent Technology Development at Triveni Digital, addressing disruptive changes in TV technology and data distribution innovation within the capabilities of ATSC 3.0. Erin Ruttan from the City of Calgary leads initiatives in Smart Cities, Digital Equity, and ATSC 3.0 programs, with a community-focused approach to bridge the digital divide. Orest Sushko, Director of the Humber College Broadcast-Broadband Convergence B2C Lab, brings over 30 years of audio engineering experience to explore multi-sectoral applications of ATSC 3.0 and convergence with global IP data delivery standards.

The excitement continues with a dynamic lineup of speakers in various sectors. Mat Newfield, a Technical Sales Engineer, leads Diversified’s Media Supply Chain Team, while Paul Andrews, Global Support/Business Development Manager for DPA Microphones gives you tech advice you’re going to be able to use. Chris Lapp, Cisco’s Lead Solutions Engineer for media, will give us some training on security resilience, while Dave Rainnie, a project manager, draws on 15 years of operational and engineering experience in broadcasting to talk about a recent tower project. Roy Folkman explores AI’s transformative impact on the industry; other great sessions feature Kirk Nesbit from the CAB and a panel discussion about mentorship with special guest Jason Lee, VP of BC Industrial Relations at CMPA. Completing the lineup are Cissy Pau, an acclaimed HR consultant, and Kat Yee, Creative Pathways™ Program Lead at Creative BC. Together, they promise to deliver a wealth of insights, expertise, and discussions that will leave you inspired and informed. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on the ever-evolving landscape of media and technology.

The sold-out Free Exhibit Hall  at the Pipe Shop Venue in the Shipyard District is filled with experts who can assist you with your next technical project, solve your business content creation problems, or offer advice that you just can’t find anywhere else. Explore tools, toys, and technology that will undoubtedly excite any media guru. What has always been special about this conference is the ample time to build relationships and discuss work in a casual and accessible space. This community of professionals is unique to Canada, covering a wide variety of areas within the industry. Whether you need to buy a microphone, mixer, camera, coax cable, transmitter, or teleprompter, this is your one-stop-shop for almost all media, broadcast, and entertainment technology in Canada. 

Come and connect; we are confident it will propel your career, enhance your knowledge during changes in technology, and allow you to be part of this great community.

Tessa Potter

President

Email executive@wabe.ca

www.wabe.ca

WABE would like to thank our 2023 Sponsors, including Gold Sponsors: Applied Electronics, Burli Software Inc., Deltech CGI, G.S. Broadcast Technical Services, & Tieline, The Pipe Shop Venue, Pippin Technical Services, RCS Canada, and Ron Paley Broadcast & DJB Radio. 

Silver Sponsors:

Bronze sponsors: