TORONTO – The Ontario Association of Broadcasters annual general meeting and awards luncheon honoured former Global Television and Rogers Radio, president and CEO, Jim Sward.
The Ontario Association of Broadcasters’ Community Service Awards are presented annually to member stations for their outstanding contributions of airtime and staffing to worthwhile organizations in their respective communities, says the OAB release.
The gathering Wednesday at Toronto’s Boulevard Club featured a longer networking reception and a new feature, a panel discussion, where industry leaders discussed the impact of new technology on radio revenue, according to the OAB press release.
Laura Gaggi, president of Gaggi Media moderated the session which featured BBM president Jim MacLeod, president of the Interactive Advertising Bureau Canada Paula Gignac and Dave McDonald, Group Manager, Radio & Promotions, M2 Universal.
“The OAB took seriously the input of its members and board who wanted more time to connect with their peers and more content pertinent to our industry,” said Doug Kirk, OAB president, in the press release. “The panel provided high value discussion on ‘hot’ topics facing radio broadcasters as they rebuild after the recession. I believe that members appreciated this event.”
The CRTC’s Ontario regional commissioner, Rita Cugini also spoke and the lunch was co-hosted by Erin Davis and Mike Cooper, co-hosts of CHFI-FM’s morning show.
This year, the OAB Community Service Award for Small Market Radio was presented to 104.1FM The Dock, Larche Communications, Midland. President, Paul Larche accepted the award on behalf of the station.
Honourable mention was awarded to Newstalk 610 CKTB, Astral Media Niagara and Madelyn Hamilton, general manager accepted it.
There was a tie for Large Market Radio this year with K-Rock, Rogers Radio, Kingston and Durham Radio Inc. Oshawa both coming out on top. Doug Elliott, program director, Darryl Kornicky and Sarah Crosbie, morning show co-hosts accepted the award on behalf of K-Rock. Steve Kassay, vice-president, programming and operations and Steve Macaulay, vice-president, sales accepted for Durham Radio Inc.
The 2009 OAB Community Service Award winner for Large Market Television was Global Television, Canwest Toronto. Ward Smith, news director, and special features reporter, Terese Sears accepted on behalf of the station.
