Cision’s free State of the Media 2015 Report

Mar 16, 2015

Media companies are embracing native advertising, mobile compatibility and online video. But what does that mean for your organization?

Cision’s free State of the Media 2015 Report will help you understand the biggest changes, technologies and initiatives impacting the journalists, bloggers and influencers who tell our stories. Whether you’re a media industry professional who wants to identify significant opportunities for growth or a public relations professional who needs to keep outreach efforts competitive, this report has the data, insights and predictions you need to adapt your communications and content strategies.

Find out why Gannett and Tribune Co. are focusing on entertainment television. Understand why broadcast company Clear Channel rebranded as digital network iHeartMedia. See why content creators who aren’t focusing on mobile usage stand to get left behind. Our report covers these stories, plus:

The highlights, acquisitions and launches that defined the past year in media, according to Cision’s original reporting and research—including the headlines you may have missed
What the 200 journalists, bloggers and social influencers we surveyed say, in their own words, are the trends, business models and revenue opportunities to watch
Why outlets are focusing on native advertising, responsive design and digital integration more than ever
How reimagined newsrooms and new media entrepreneurs are evolving the traditional media landscape

… and much more. Get ahead with industry insights you won’t find anywhere else. Get our freeState of the Media 2015 Report here!

This might be the most effective anti-bullying campaign ever

Mar 16, 2015

Bullying is really still out there – more than you might think. 1 in 3 Canadian students have been bullied. 7 out of 10 have it happen to them in the US. Those numbers are astounding, and they have to stop getting larger. Despite the barrage of anti-bullying ads, though, this one might be the most intense and most touching.

Chilly Gonzales deconstructs Taylor Swift

Mar 16, 2015

Grammy-awarded musician, producer and self-proclaimed musical genius Chilly Gonzales has worked with the likes of Daft Punk, Drake, Feist and Peaches. Now German radio station 1LIVE teamed up with Chilly for “1LIVE Chilly Gonzales Pop Music Masterclass” – a video column in which Chilly explains what we love about pop music and analyses why a hit becomes a hit.

Here Are The Rest Of The Big Winners at the 2015 JUNO Awards

Mar 16, 2015

It was a star-studded night of musical celebrations as Canada’s top talent took to the red carpet and stage for Canada’s biggest night in music, THE 2015 JUNO AWARDS, on Sunday, March 15. CTV’s live broadcast from Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre dazzled viewers with an all-star lineup of performances, special tributes to Canadian music legends, and the presentation of JUNO Awards in six categories.

Performer Kiesza was the weekend’s big winner, garnering a total of three JUNO Awards. Having already picked up two JUNO Awards at Saturday night’s JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards for Dance Recording of the Year and Video of The Year (Sponsored by MuchFACT, exclusively funded by Bell Media) for her chart-topping hit “Hideaway”, the electro-dance starlet added another statuette to her collection during the broadcast: the JUNO Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year (sponsored by FACTOR, the Government of Canada, Radio Starmaker Fund and Canada’s Private Broadcasters). She also graced the stage for a dynamic mash-up performance of “Sound of A Woman” and “Hideaway.”

Saturday’s Breakthrough Group of the Year (sponsored by FACTOR, the Government of Canada, Radio Starmaker Fund and Canada’s Private Broadcasters) winners, Magic! were awarded Single of The Year Sunday for their hit “Rude”, while The Weeknd garnered the award for Artist of the Year during the broadcast, adding to his Gala night win for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year.

Arkells won Rock Album of the Year (Sponsored by SiriusXM Canada) for High Noon to top off their Saturday victory for Group of the Year. The band also took part in the broadcast with a unique performance of “Come to the Light” accompanied by Boris Brott and the National Academy Orchestra of Canada.

The JUNO Fan Choice (presented by TD) award went to Michael Bublé, and internationally acclaimed songwriter Leonard Cohen took home the win for Album of the Year (Sponsored by Music Canada) for his striking record, Popular Problems.

American songwriter, lyricist, and producer Glen Ballard, best known for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette’s multi-platinum album Jagged Little Pill, welcomed Alanis Morissette into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Hamilton rocked the nation during tonight’s live two-hour broadcast. The show opened with a surprise appearance by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, The Trailer Park Boys, and past JUNO AWARDS broadcast host, Michael Bublé. The broadcast boasted 11 unique performances including an explosive opening by Hedley and host Jacob Hoggard; a medley of his hit singles “Life of the Party” and “Something Big” by Shawn Mendes, in his JUNO Award debut; a show-stopping performance of single “Earned It” by 2015 JUNO Award winner The Weeknd, accompanied by co-writer and producer Stephan Moccio; a fun performance by 2015 Breakthrough Group of the Year, MAGIC!; Bobby Bazini, who charmed in his JUNO AWARDS performance debut; deadMau5, who was joined on-stage by singer Colleen D’Agostino for “Seeya”; Lights, who joined the Sam Roberts Band for their hit “We’re All In This Together”; and 2015 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Alanis Morissette, who delighted fans with a medley of three songs from her seminal 1995 album Jagged Little Pill, including anthem “You Oughta Know”. Host Jacob Hoggard, who kept the energy high throughout the two-hour broadcast, closed the show with his version of Morissette’s “Thank You” on piano.

The evening’s exceptional roster of presenters included electric-pop duo Adventure Club; chart-topping country singer Dallas Smith; Big Wreck’s Ian Thornley; the leading men of Bravo’s hit series 19-2, Jared Keeso and Adrian Holmes; alternative rock band July Talk; country artist Kira Isabella; R&B/soul artist Melanie Durrant; alternative-rockers USS; Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi; Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Shelly Glover; Canadian throat-singer Tanya Tagaq; and pop singer Trevor Guthrie.

Mel Brooks Interview From 1975

Mar 16, 2015

Mel Brooks was interviewed on April 15, 1975 during his visit to the UK to promote his film Young Frankenstein.

Fox-Rank film distributors assisted with clips from the film as well as from Blazing Saddles. Brooks explains that Westerns were a considerable part of his childhood, part of his “subliminal beginnings,” and he wanted to tell the truth about the wild west. Although he told the truth about cowboys eating beans, the one thing Brooks would not show was the little known fact that cowboys “do not make love to women in Westerns.”

“People say I am in questionable taste, you know what I mean? Well, I must tell you that I used the utmost discretion [and] I did not tell the whole truth about the Western, because they do not make love to women, you know that. They are very straight, very Christian and very with it, you know. They do make love to their horses. They do, they do. They don’t marry them, there is no formal ceremony, but they go off somewhere in the night with their horses.”

Via Dangerous Minds

Nothing, The Supercut of Empty Scenes From ‘Seinfeld’ Where Nothing Is Happening

Mar 16, 2015

New York City video editor LJ Frezza has created “Nothing,” a six-minute supercut video of empty scenes from the television comedy series Seinfeld where nothing is happening, even though Jerry has said the show is a show about nothing.

Nothing from LJ Frezza on Vimeo.

4-Year-Old Teaches You About Self-Esteem

Mar 15, 2015

A 4 years girl – wise beyond her years – offers a valuable lesson in self esteem.

Winners at the 2015 JUNO Gala Dinner and Awards

Mar 15, 2015

Canada’s music elite gathered to toast 35 JUNO Award winners at the 2015 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards presented by SiriusXM Canada last night in Hamilton. Hosted by Jessi Cruickshank at the Hamilton Convention Centre, the evening’s festivities featured performances by a spectacular lineup of 2015 JUNO Award nominees and winners, as well as unforgettable tributes to some of the most influential names in Canadian music.

Multiple Award winners at the Gala included alternative singer-songwriter Bahamas, who won honours for both Songwriter of the Year* and Adult Alternative Album of the Year; and electro-dance sensation Kiesza, who earned Dance Recording of the Year and Video of the Year*. Kiesza will also be making her JUNO Award performance debut during the Sunday night Broadcast on CTV from Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre.

Four other JUNO Awards Broadcast performers also took home statuettes last night, including Hamilton’s own Arkells for Group of the Year; Magic! for Breakthrough Group of the Year*; Lights for Pop Album of the Year* and The Weeknd for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year.

The night’s special award winners included Rush, who received the 2015 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award (sponsored by Bell Media), and music executive Ray Danniels, who was honoured with the 2015 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award.

Guests at the performance-packed Gala enjoyed numbers by 2015 JUNO Award winner Dallas Smith, nominees Alvvays, Daniel Lanois, and Matt Andersen, as well as a special Blues Jam featuring Crystal Shawanda, JW-Jones, Steve Hill**, Steve Strongman, and The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer.

Winners of the 2015 Juno Awards as announced at the Hamilton Convention Centre Saturday, March 14.

International Album of the Year: In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith

Group of the Year: Arkells

Breakthrough Group of the year: Magic!

Songwriter of the year: Bahamas

Country Album of the year: Lifted, Dallas Smith

Adult Alternative Album of the year: Bahamas is Afie, Bahamas

Alternative Album of the Year: July Talk, July Talk

Pop Album of the Year: Little Machines, Lights

Vocal Jazz Album of the Year: Red, Diana Panton

Jazz Album of the Year, Solo: Vista Obscura, Kirk MacDonald

Jazz Album of the Year, Group: Jane Bunnett and Maqueque

Instrumental Album of the Year: Encuentro, Quartango

Francophone Album of the Year: Maladie d’amour, Jimmy Hunt

Children’s Album of the Year: Where in the World, Fred Penner

Classical Album of the Year, Solo or Chamber Ensemble: Bartok, Chamber Works for Violin Vol. 3, James Ehnes

Classical Album of the Year, Large Ensemble: Mozart, Piano Concertos Nos. 22 & 24, Angela Hewitt

Classical Album of the Year, Vocal or Choral Performance: Schubert, Winterreise, Gerald Finley & Julius Drake

Classical Composition of the Year: Airline Icarus, Brian Current

Rap Recording of the Year: The Legends League Presents, Naturally Born Strangers

Dance Recording of the Year: Sound of a Woman, Kiesza

R&B/Soul Recording of the year: Often, The Weeknd

Reggae Recording of the Year: Welcome the King, Exco Levi

Aboriginal Album of the Year: Animism, Tanya Tagaq

Roots & Traditional Album of the Year, Solo: The Raven’s Sun, Catherine MacLellan

Roots & Traditional Album of the Year, Group: Let It Lie, The Brothers Landreth

Blues Album of the Year: Solo Recordings, Vol. 2, Steve Hill

Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: VIP, Manic Drive

World Music Album of the Year: 500 Years of Night, Quique Escamilla

Producer of the Year: Adam Messinger, for “Rude,” by Magic!

Recording Engineer of the Year: Eric Ratz, “Ghosts,” by Big Wreck

Recording Package of the Year: Roberta Hansen, Mike Latschislaw for “Pilgrimage,” by Steve Bell

Video of the Year: Kiesza, Blayre Ellestad, Rami Afuni and Ljuba Castot, for “Hideaway” by Kiesza

Electronic Album of the Year: Our Love, Caribou

Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year: Z2, Devin Townsend Project

Adult Contemporary Album of the Year: Shine On, Sarah McLachlan