TORONTO – The Ontario Association of Broadcasters (OAB) celebrated 60 years as over 100 delegates packed its annual conference and awards dinner in Toronto last week.
To mark the anniversary, OAB recognized some of the people who were instrumental in the organization’s early years including Gerry Acton, Ross McCreath and Pip Wedge who were in attendance. CRTC Commissioners Rita Cugini, Leonard Katz and Peter Foster were also among the attendees.
The OAB Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jim Waters and Duff Roman, while the 2010 Community Service Awards were presented as follows:
– Radio Large Market – Award: The NEW 105.3KISS-FM, Ottawa for “Father Daughter Ball” in support of prostate cancer. Gayle Zarbatany, Program Director, KISS-FM, Ottawa, accepted the award;
– Radio Large Market – Honorable Mention: Z103.5FM, Toronto for “JJ Bear” campaign in support of the Children’s Aid Foundation. Paul Evanov, Vice President, Evanov Radio, accepted the award;
– Radio Small Market – Award: Bayshore Broadcasting for “Healthy Tomorrows” to raise awareness for local hospital foundations’ planned giving programs. Ross Kentner, President, Bayshore Broadcasting Group, accepted the award;
– Radio Small Market – Honorable Mention: STAR 93.3FM for “Be A Goddess” in support of the United Way campaign for Peterborough and District. Joel Scott, Operations Manager and Program Director, STAR 93.3 FM, accepted the award;
– Television Award: Global Toronto for the annual “Toy Drive” in partnership with the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association. Rick Berenz, Executive Officer, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association and Dayna Gourley, Supervising Producer, Global Toronto, accepted the award.
With over 40 member companies, the OAB is dedicated to representing the common interests of Ontario’s private broadcasters and industry partners.
