OTTAWA – Telling customers "we miss you" or somesuch, doesn’t violate the CRTC’s prohibition on telecom win-back promotions, the Commission said today.
Earlier this year, Quebecor Media (owners of Videotron) complained to the Regulator, saying that Bell Canada’s practice of sending customer appreciation cards to recently lost customers violates the telecom regs, which restrict win-back promotions until 90 days after disconnect from the incumbent local telco.
The Bell cards in question had the following caption on their cover: "it just won’t be the same without you."
And inside: "I’m writing to say that we are sorry to see you…
Continue Reading
NEXT WEEK AT THIS TIME, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ 2006 convention in Vancouver will be working through its final day’s agenda.
It’s a packed schedule with many, many sessions to enlighten and inform. If you are going, register right away as it’s approaching a sellout. If you haven’t made up your mind, read through the conversation below with CAB senior vice-president, marketing and member services, Sean Kiely and convention co-chair Sarah Crawford, vice-president, public affairs at CHUM Limited.
What follows is an edited transcript.
Greg O’Brien: The theme of the conference is New Realities, New Rules. How are…
Continue Reading
CALGARY – Thanks to the addition of 43,744 local phone customers in the fourth quarter, bringing its total to 212,707 voice subscribers, Shaw Communications today announced net income of $210.4 million in the quarter ended August 31, three times its net income of $70 million for the same quarter of 2005.
Net income for the year was $458.3 million, up from $153.2 million last year.
While digital phone subs grew pretty quickly (although a little off the pace of the third quarter), new Internet customers also grew at a good clip, adding 25,907 in the fourth quarter. Digital TV…
Continue Reading
TORONTO and MONTREAL – Wireless video and data company Look Communications said today it has hired U.S. investment banking firm Greenhill & Company "to assist in the strategic repositioning of Look and to assist the company in maximizing shareholder value."
Such a release containing such euphemisms are usually the kick-off to the sale of a company. Greenhill’s web site says it is "focused on mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring and merchant banking." Look, now owned by Unique Broadband Systems, has finished restructuring.
"Look is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the exploding wireless communications market in Canada with…
Continue Reading
VANCOVUER – The 80th edition of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters annual convention will feature an impressive roster of keynote speakers, including B.C. premier Gordon Campbell, CRTC chair Charles Dalfen, Rick Hansen Foundation, president and CEO Rick Hansen; Bev Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, and many others.
The line-up of musicians performing at various times during the three days includes Colin James, Melissa McClelland, Delhi2Dublin, Alpha YaYa Diallo, Daniel Lavoie and Sarah McLachlan.
This year’s convention is booking up quickly, says the CAB, so if you haven’t already registered, it is encouraging members and others…
Continue Reading
IQALUIT – At a press conference on Wednesday, The National Film Board of Canada and Inuit Broadcasting Corporation announced a partnership with The Banff Centre, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI), Nunavut Film and the Government of Nunavut to launch the Nunavut Animation Lab (NAL).
The three intensive animation workshops in Cape Dorset, Iqaluit and Pangnirtung are expected to develop new skills among Inuit emerging and established artists to help them tell their stories using state-of-the-art animation equipment.
“The Nunavut Animation Lab opens doors. The creation of workshops, the sharing of skills and cutting-edge techniques…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – After seeing a Copyright Board decision that would have meant millions in additional revenue to its members set aside by the Federal Court last week, SOCAN has not yet decided how it will respond.
"We’re still thinking about it," Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers of Canada general counsel Paul Spurgeon told Cartt.ca.
SOCAN can do one of two things: Appeal last week’s decision to the Supreme Court of Canada; or wait for the Copyright Board to reconsider its tariff ruling, as the Federal Court told it to.
On October 19th, the Federal Court of Appeal Continue Reading
VANCOUVER – Bollywood content, news, cricket updates, entertainment and cultural information direct from South Asia are now options on Telus mobile phones.
The Canadian telco and Reliance Communications, India’s largest integrated telecom service provider, says the press release, today announced Apna Des, a mobile phone based content site is now available to Telus wireless customers.
"Apna Des offers Telus clients a complete South Asian mobile experience that brings together the best of Bollywood and the latest updates on news and cricket, while respecting the region’s incredible cultural depth," said Robert Blumenthal, Telus senior vice-president of products and services, in…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – "Seeing more people with disabilities portrayed in Canadian television shows and movies would go a long way towards changing attitudes about people with disabilities," said Ontario minister of community and social services, Madeleine Meilleur.
She was launching the Ontario government’s new deal to raise the profile of people with disabilities in the Canadian movie, television and radio industry.
The province’s announcement comes months after the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Television News Directors Association of Canada launched their own such initiatives. The CRTC has also urged broadcasters to act and add more disabled…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Canadian telecom pioneer Lionel Hurtubise is joining the Hall of Fame of the Canadian Information Productivity Awards, CIPA announced today.
"Lionel Hurtubise was one of the leading figures of the past five decades in the development of Canada’s telecommunications infrastructure – companies, networks and vital research and industry associations," said Norm Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of CIPA, in a press release.
Hurtubise will be inducted November 1 during the 14th annual CIPA Gala Banquet. The CIPA Hall of Fame resides on the CIPA Web site at www.cipa.com.
A native of Montreal, Hurtubise began his career with…
Continue Reading
