Etan Vlessing
Secret Location opens Los Angeles office
The transmedia agency wants to expand original production development out of the new U.S. location.
ACTRA members ratify new commercials pact
Canadian performers voted overwhelmingly in favour of the new three-year deal.
ACTRA-advertisers contract talks move to mediation
The current round of bargaining between the actors’ union, ad agencies and advertisers appears hung up on the thorny issue of internet use of commercials.
DHX Media brings licensing into one division
The Degrassi and Caillou property owner is launching DHX Brands to bring in more consumer products revenue.
James Cameron, Cirque du Soleil partner for arena show
The touring performance will debut in 2015, ahead of three Avatar sequels.
Secret Location gets equity investment from eOne
The Toronto transmedia co will continue operating on its own to service broadcast, brand, agency and producer clients.
Marblemedia unveils plans for $60M Toronto water park
The transmedia and TV producer aims to create a next-gen theme park with digital storytelling and content at its core.
Koodo’s El Tabador to get sitcom treatment
The animated pitchman is part of a proposed half-hour family sitcom, pursuing his celebrity lifestyle in a mansion with an entourage.
Shaw Media marketing exec Muriel Solomon departs
The specialty channel marketing exec leaves, following Jamie Schouela exiting the broadcaster last year, to later resurface as EVP of marketing and communications at Blue Ant Media.
Cirque du Soleil to cut 400 jobs
The job losses follow the Quebec-based entertainment giant cutting five live shows in the last year and launching a content production arm with Bell Media.
BCE to pay $3.38 billion for Astral Media
Montreal’s Greenberg family is cashing out after over 50 years of building the Canadian TV, radio and outdoor advertising giant.
Goon poster furor: why censorship is the best publicity
Though unclear whether the City of Toronto or Astral Media ordered the removal of the posters, the hockey comedy benefited from some pre-release press.
AToMiC: Guidestones targets online and mobile users, and brands
The interactive Canadian web series has worked with brands including Samsung, Pizza Pizza and Rogers Communications.
Rogers and BCE unwrap $1.32 billion deal for MLSE
Zenith’s Sunni Boot weighs in on the deal, expected to add Canada’s top pro TV sport properties to the schedules of TSN and Sportsnet.
NHL drops puck on Mission: Impossible promotion
Hockey and Hollywood collide with the pro hockey league building buzz for the upcoming Paramount Pictures release.
