TERRY’S OFF Digital Pilot Premieres on travelandescape.ca

It’s Off to LaLaLand for Travel Host, Terry Himmelman

Toronto, ON [May 16, 2013] – Farmhouse Productions Inc. and Travel+Escape with the support of The Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund, announce the premiere ofTERRY’S OFF, an original travel series starring Nova Scotia native, Terry Himmelman. The digital pilot shows today on travelandescape.ca. In this first episode, Terry takes off for Los Angeles where he does his devilish best to fit into the LA lifestyle of sun, surf and yoga. 

Original Series Premieres Fall 2013

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(Toronto, ON) May 14, 2013 – Travel+Escape is proud to announce the winner of Travel+Escape’s My Top 10 Travel Host Search is Edmonton, Alberta born Tara Gaucher. Production begins in Iceland on the new hour-long documentary series Travel+Escape’s My Top 10, and premieres fall 2013.

With over 500 entries there was no shortage of talent, but it was twenty-seven-year-old Tara Gaucher’s, funny and engaging personality and anecdotes that separated her from her competitors. A born entertainer and seasoned traveller thanks to her love of dance, stand-up comedy and performing, Tara’s quick-witted charm and thirst for knowledge proved she could hold her own when providing viewers with the kind of engaging adventure travel Travel+Escape fans have come to love.

Tara’s journey begins with her dream destination, Iceland. There, she’ll shoot the pilot episode for My Top 10 and begin her new Travel+Escape Digital Magazine column detailing her travels and giving audiences a behind the scenes look, as she tastes local delicacies like sheep’s head and puffin. While there she’ll take her body to the limits as she glacier hikes, ice climbs and gets the chance to train with one of her heroes, the fittest woman in the world, Iceland Annie.

“Tara wowed us with her genuine love of travelling, learning, and her try anything attitude,” said Marcia Martin SVP, Original Content, Blue Ant Media. “She is the perfect personality to share her top 10 experiences taking viewers along for a no holds barred adventure as she explores local culture, food and activities.”

Integration and sponsorship opportunities are available through the Blue Ant Media sales department, for more information contact Anna Carbone, VP of Television Sales at anna.carbone@blueantmedia.ca or by phone at 416-440-7225.

Digital solutions and sponsorship opportunities are available through the Blue Ant Media digital solutions department, for more information contact Ryan Fuss, VP of Digital Solutions at ryan.fuss@blueantmedia.ca or by phone at 416-440-7223.

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Travel+Escape is a Blue Ant Media Channel

Travel+Escape is the destination for travel enthusiasts and brands interested in reaching travel fans and enthusiasts on all platforms. The digital specialty channel features top rated travel themed television programs with entertaining hosts, compelling stories and exotic locations. Popular lifestyle series include Anthony Bourdain’s The Layover, Boundless, No Reservations, Offbeat Roads, Ghost Adventures and Scam City. TravelandEscape.ca is the ultimate source for travel-related content featuring news from around the world, commentary from over 200 global bloggers, exclusive web-series and videos.  (TravelandEscape.ca)

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Blue Ant Media is a privately held integrated Canadian media company that creates and distributes great content in lifestyle, travel, documentary, music and entertainment categories. The company owns specialty channels Bold, Travel+Escape, Bite TV, and AUX TV along with four premium, commercial-free channels Oasis HD, HIFI, eqHD, radX and their companion websites. Blue Ant Media’s digital publishing division produces daily content for its web and mobile sites, AUX Magazine, a monthly music tablet magazine and recently launched Travel+Escape Magazine, a monthly travel tablet magazine. Producing over 400 hours of original content, Blue Ant Media develops both in house programming and co-productions with international partners. Blue Ant recently acquired Cottage Life Media, publishers of Cottage Life, Cottage, and Outdoor Canada and producers of the Spring & Fall Cottage Life consumer shows. Cottage Life, a national television channel will be launching this fall. BlueAntMedia.ca

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Media Contacts:
Nicolas Di Lollo
Communications Coordinator
Blue Ant Media
416.440.7256
Nicolas.dilollo@blueantmedia.ca

Jennifer Mason
Director Marketing Communications & On-Air
Blue Ant Media
416.456.1042
Jennifer.mason@blueantmedia.ca

Casting Opportunities Still Available

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(Toronto, ON) May 13, 2013 – Cottage Life ramps up start of production on seven (7) brand new original Television series that have been greenlit for the new digital speciality channel launching this fall. The series span the scope of DIY & Design, Outdoor Living, Food & Entertaining, and Real Estate.

Contractor Colin Hunter hosts, Decks, Docks and Gazebos (13 x 30 mins) a one-of-a-kind renovation show that follows one project from humble and sometimes decrepit beginnings to stunning competitions. My Retreat (13 x 30 mins) takes a cross-Canada tour of unique and iconic cottages, cabins and second homes while also exploring the surrounding area. Big machinery with big price tags, Selling Big (13 x 30 mins) with larger than life auctioneers from the Ritchies Brothers Auction House, is like no other sale you’ve ever seen! Cottage Cheese (13 x 30 mins) explores crafty, kitschy, collectibles that people are passionate about in their country and summer homes. Aiming to update and refresh family vacation properties, Weekend Reno (13 x 30 mins) follows designer Michelle Mawby and her team as they rejuvenate outdated retreats. What’s For Sale? (13 x 30 mins) takes families through a selection of properties and ends with them purchasing the getaway of their dreams. What cottage experience would be complete without a Cottage Cook-off (13 x 30 mins)? Chefs, Aldo Lanzillotta and Joanne Lusted square off with teams of cottagers who have one hour to prepare a three-course cottage feast using whatever ingredients they can find in their shopping carts and pantries. All new original series will also have exclusive digital video content including behind the scenes, how-to tips and stories from Cottage Life hosts available at cottagelife.com

“These new original series encompass what is unique about cottage living and we can’t wait to share these stories with our audience,” said Marcia Martin, SVP, Original Content, Blue Ant Media. “Our entertaining and informative hosts will showcase the definitively Canadian lifestyle, where every day is the weekend, from a coast-to-coast perspective.”

Casting opportunities still exist for Weekend Reno, Decks, Docks and Gazebos, Cottage Cheese and What’s For Sale?. If you or someone you know is interested, please visit http://cottagelife.com/cottage-life-television for more information.

Integration and sponsorship opportunities are available through the Blue Ant Media sales department, for more information contact Anna Carbone, VP of Television Sales at anna.carbone@blueantmedia.ca or by phone at 416-440-7225.

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Cottage Life Media is a division of Blue Ant Media.

Cottage Life is an HD television channel celebrating the people, places and activities closest to the heart of Canada with new, exclusive programs. Entertaining, informative shows on favourite themes like DIY, food, makeovers and the outdoors will bring the lifestyle home. Call it a cottage, a cabin, a lodge, a camp or even your own back yard. It’s all here at Cottage Life, where every day is the weekend. www.cottagelife.com

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Cottage Life Media is a division of Blue Ant Media and has been the definitive source for weekend living entertainment since 1988. The company publishes Cottage Life, Cottage, and Outdoor Canada and produces the annual Spring & Fall Cottage Life consumer shows. www.cottagelife.com

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Blue Ant Media is a privately held integrated Canadian media company that creates and distributes great content in lifestyle, travel, documentary, music and entertainment categories. The company owns specialty channels Bold, Travel+Escape, Bite TV, and AUX TV along with four premium, commercial-free channels Oasis HD, HIFI, eqHD, radX and their companion websites. Blue Ant Media’s digital publishing division produces daily content for its web and mobile sites, AUX Magazine, a monthly music tablet magazine and recently launched Travel+Escape Magazine, a monthly travel tablet magazine. Producing over 400 hours of original content, Blue Ant Media develops both in house programming and co-productions with international partners. Blue Ant recently acquired Cottage Life Media, publishers of Cottage Life, Cottage, and Outdoor Canada and producers of the Spring & Fall Cottage Life consumer shows. Cottage Life, a national television channel will be launching this fall. BlueAntMedia.ca

Follow us on: Twitter / Linked in

For more information, please contact:

Nicolas Di Lollo
Communications Coordinator
Blue Ant Media
416.440.7256
Nicolas.dilollo@blueantmedia.ca

Jennifer Mason
Director of Marketing & Communications
Blue Ant Media
416 456 1042
Jennifer.mason@blueantmedia.ca

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(Toronto, ON) May 10, 2013 – Bite TV is premiering its cheekiest web series yet, Felt Up, ‘the world’s first reality series entirely populated with puppets’*. Take a look into the lives of friends through plastic puppet eyes with the 8–minute sneak peek premiering Friday, May 10 at 10:30pm ET/PT following Portlandia on Bite TV, with Felt Up webisodes premiering Monday, May 13 on bite.ca.

The real recordings of people telling their most intimate, humiliating, and strangest dating stories ever are dramatized using a variety of colourful puppets. Inside the stories, our amateur sociologist, host and interviewer Simon Puppet tries to understand the moral behind the puppets libidinous behavior. Between the stories, Simon hosts a vlog where he tries to find catharsis in his own life while constantly berated by his roommate/arch-nemesis Joe Puppet.

“Felt Up is about real life, hilariously intimate and sometimes awkward relationship stories, that only a close friend should know about,” Marcia Martin, SVP Original Content, Blue Ant Media. “The kind that only a puppet should reenact on camera.”

Find out what happens when one young man gets caught in the act by his girlfriend’s mom, or when a girl tries to convince herself that a studly European’s technique was adequate on Felt Up. Catch the sneak peek Friday, May 10 at 10:30pm ET/PT with new webisodes available every Monday at bite.ca.

Felt Up is produced by Felt Up Productions. The creative team includes: Simon Glassman – writer, director and voice actor, Mike Robertson – writer, director, Anton Leo – executive producer and Tim Mikula – voice actor, Joe Puppet.

*This hasn’t actually been googled, but it sounds reasonable enough

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Bite is a Blue Ant Media Channel.

Bite is Canada’s source for smart, quirky comedy. From cult flicks, to fan hits, Bite features acclaimed series like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Inbetweeners, and The IT Crowd, Sketch comedy series Portlandia, hilarious Stand-up specials including Louis CK’s Chewed Up and cult classic movies like Dodgeball, Office Space, and Rollerball. Bite.ca is a digital playground full of irreverent, entertaining and exclusive daily content, featuring new and exclusive web series Guidance, Comedy Bar and Truckstop Bloodsuckers.

Follow us on: Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Youtube

Blue Ant Media is a privately held integrated Canadian media company that creates and distributes great content in lifestyle, travel, documentary, music and entertainment categories. The company owns specialty channels Bold, Travel+Escape, Bite TV, and AUX TV along with four premium, commercial-free channels Oasis HD, HIFI, eqHD, radX and their companion websites. Blue Ant Media’s digital publishing division produces daily content for its web and mobile sites AUX Magazine, a monthly music tablet magazine and recently launched Travel+Escape Magazine, a monthly travel tablet magazine. Producing over 400 hours of original content, Blue Ant Media develops both in house programming and co-productions with international partners. Blue Ant recently acquired Cottage Life Media, publishers of Cottage Life, Cottage, and Outdoor Canada and producers of the Spring & Fall Cottage Life consumer shows. Cottage Life, a national television channel will be launching this fall. BlueAntMedia.ca

Follow us on: Twitter / Linked in

For more information, please contact:

Nicolas Di Lollo
Communications Coordinator
Blue Ant Media
416.440.7256
Nicolas.dilollo@blueantmedia.ca

Nikki Lamb Tudico
Communications Manager
Blue Ant Media
416.878.2250
Nikki.lambtudico@blueantmedia.ca

Local Edmonton Press Contact:

Brittany Ayotte
780-709-8025    
britt@coolstorypr.com

Core Responsibilities:

• Assist the Affiliate Sales Department in the execution of all Affiliate Marketing initiatives and programs; coordinate with other departments at Blue Ant Media as well as outside BDUs (Broadcast Distribution Units).
• Coordinate tactical executions of marketing and communications strategies for all affiliate initiatives (free previews, CSR Training) marketing and on-air promotions that support core promotable programming
• Purchasing and tracking of all departmental merchandise.
• Liaison with graphics and VOD scheduler on monthly VOD box art graphic, and promo spots for BDU‘s on demand delivery of content
• Develop monthly programming highlights for affiliates and online use ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms.
• Gather assets and materials to traffic to appropriate parties for production of online and offline promotional materials
• Daily programming updates of channel websites and the creation of all program pages for the four premium channels, including uploading of promotional videos
• Performing marketing research quizzes and surveys on potential affiliate partners
• Proactive monitoring of affiliates activity using social media to ensure BDU customer service engagement with our brands
• Nurturing relationships with external vendors, affiliate sales department and partners
• Coordinate with the programming, production and web teams, assist in the development and execution of all marketing materials
• Provide customer support to BDU partners, ensuring all marketing and sales requests are met on a timely basis- weekly
• Liaison between Programming, Production and Web teams to assist in the development and timely execution of all marketing materials (i.e. monthly newsletters, media promo packs, images, synopses, etc.)

Key Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the BDU markets considered an asset 
• Creative and innovative
• Excellent Communication Skills (written, oral, and presentation)
• Accountable
• Flexible/Adaptable
• Work Well Under Pressure
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and deliver projects in a timely manner
• Strong collaboration skills
• Organized
• Positive Attitude
• French language skills is an asset
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/Powerpoint) Photoshop, BBM, Broadview, Joomia Website

If your experience reflects the above qualifications and skills, please forward an email and CV (word.doc format), by May 24, 2013 to careers@blueantmedia.ca, quoting “Affiliate Marketing Coordinator” in the subject header line.

We thank all candidates for their submissions, but only those under consideration will be contacted.  We are an equal opportunity employer.  Non-Canadian candidates must be eligible to work in Canada.

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(Toronto, ON) May 8, 2012 – Bite TV’s inaugural Web Series Symposium took place yesterday at Second City in Toronto. As part of the symposium, the three finalists from the Bite Comedy Web Series Competition were invited to live pitch their project in front of the symposium panel.

Kicking things off were National Screen Institute CEO, John Gill and Blue Ant Media’s EVP of Programming & Marketing, Vanessa Case with the opening address. The half-day symposium was moderated by Liz Hover – Director, NSI Online, National Screen Institute, and included industry panel members Andra Sheffer – Executive Director IPF, Bell Fund, Cogeco Fund, Lisa Baylin – VP, Content & Production, iThentic, Fran Accinelli – Director English Market, CMF Program, and Marcia Martin – SVP Original Content, Blue Ant Media. Topics included financing options, producing and distributing web series content for broadcasters.

As part of the event, three finalists in the Bite Comedy Web Series Competition were given the opportunity to live pitch the panellists for a chance to win a $10,000 development deal with Bite to fund their project. The three finalists were: Dad Drives: Daniel Beirne and Mark Little; Human Town: Kane Stewart and Kajetan Kwiatkowski; and Kids Show For Adults: Andrew Hunt. After much deliberation, Dad Drives was crowned winner of the competition and awarded a cheque for $10,000.

“We were really impressed by the incredible talent and caliber of content submitted for the competition,” said Marcia Martin, SVP Original Content, Blue Ant Media. “It was a really tough decision. We selected Dad Drives as it aligns well with our Bite brand and audience.”

Bite continues to be a leader in the development of original web series content for a multi-screen environment. Such series include two seasons of Comedy Bar, Guidance (now in production on second season), and Andrea Martin Abroad.

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Bite is a Blue Ant Media Channel.

Bite is Canada’s source for smart, quirky comedy. From cult flicks, to fan hits, Bite features acclaimed series like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Inbetweeners, and The IT Crowd, Sketch comedy series Portlandia, hilarious Stand-up specials including Louis CK’s Chewed Up and cult classic movies like Dodgeball, Office Space, and Rollerball. Bite.ca is a digital playground full of irreverent, entertaining and exclusive daily content, featuring new and exclusive web series Guidance, Comedy Bar and Truckstop Bloodsuckers.

Follow us on: Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Youtube

Blue Ant Media is a privately held integrated Canadian media company that creates and distributes great content in lifestyle, travel, documentary, music and entertainment categories. The company owns specialty channels Bold, Travel+Escape, Bite TV, and AUX TV along with four premium, commercial-free channels Oasis HD, HIFI, eqHD, radX and their companion websites. Blue Ant Media’s digital publishing division produces daily content for its web and mobile sites and recently launched AUX Magazine, a monthly music tablet magazine. Producing over 400 hours of original content, Blue Ant Media develops both in house programming and co-productions with international partners. Blue Ant recently acquired Cottage Life Media, publishers of Cottage Life, Cottage, and Outdoor Canada and producers of the Spring & Fall Cottage Life consumer shows. Cottage Life, a national television channel will be launching this fall. BlueAntMedia.ca

Follow us on: Twitter / Linked in

Media contact:

Nikki Lamb Tudico
Communications Manager
Blue Ant Media
416-878-2250
nikki.lambtudico@blueantmedia.ca

 Core Responsibilities: 

• Manage the department budget, growing team, and short-form video strategy.
• Provide input on creative elements ensuring that the final product is always audience driven and the content generates positive results. 
• Maintain a leading view on the current and future trends of short-form content for the web. 
• Constantly move the department in a creative direction that is consistent with the products and objectives of the organization
• Develop new projects and talent across all genres by fostering creative thinking and enhancing team member skills and competencies. 
• Create a working environment that allows creative people and projects to flourish and succeed.
• Help with production, contracts, clients and building outsourced teams with producers.
• Commission new programming.

Key Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as an executive producer.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience producing branded content.
• Wide experience in the production process is essential.
• Familiar with and has produced content for digital platforms such as YouTube.
• Must have experience leading small to mid size team. 
• Must be a team leader with the ability to inspire the team to achieve audience targets.
• Must have experience producing daily video content for online platforms.
• Proven ability to produce short-form video that has achieved significant audience success.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Must have a strong ability to multi-task while managing several projects at different stages of production.
• Must be a strong team player with the ability to work closely with the sales, broadcast television, marketing, and digital publishing teams.

If your experience reflects the above qualifications and skills, please forward a covering email, and CV in word.doc format, to careers@blueantmedia.ca  quoting “Executive Producer, Digital Video” in the subject header line. 

We thank all candidates for their submissions, but only those under consideration will be contacted.  We are an equal opportunity employer.  Non-Canadian candidates must be eligible to work in Canada.

Core Responsibilities:

• Edit, repackage, and export TV broadcast content to fit technical requirements of each carrier
• Write and create accompanying video metadata
• Write and update RSS syndication feeds
• Manage online video through the Brightcove Publishing content management system
• Coordinate between different departments (ie. Digital, marketing, post-production, sales) for file delivery and scheduling

Key Qualifications:

• Experience with Mac-based operating systems and Final Cut Pro
• Knowledgeable in digital video terminology (ie. MP4, MPEG-2, h.264) and web terminology (XML, RSS feeds)
• Working knowledge of standard broadcast terminology (ie. frame rates, resolutions)
• Working Knowledge of Photoshop
• Good creative writing skills
• Experience with Avid and/or Rhozet preferred

 Key Attributes for Success:

• Sociable, works well as a team player
• Independent, pro-active worker with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong time management skills that factor in internet speeds and computer rendering time
• Strong attention to detail

If your experience reflects the above qualifications and skills, please forward a covering email, and CV in word.doc format, to careers@blueantmedia.ca  quoting “Digital Content Technician” in the subject header line. 

We thank all candidates for their submissions, but only those under consideration will be contacted.  We are an equal opportunity employer.  Non-Canadian candidates must be eligible to work in Canada.

Series to Begin Production in May

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(Toronto, ON) April 30, 2013 – Travel+Escape and Les Stroud Productions are thrilled to announce they have partnered on an all-new original adventure series Survivorman 10 Days featuring award-winning filmmaker and accomplished survival expert Les Stroud. The 8-episode series will premiere in the winter of 2014 on Travel+Escape.

Les Stroud’s new series Survivorman 10 Days takes him to the most captivating and harsh locations in the world to survive with little food, no water or gear, and no safety or camera crew. But this time, it’s for ten consecutive days. The series follows Les as he survives in remote locations such as the desolate firelands of Argentina and the dense jungles of Panama.

“We are excited to have Les Stroud join Travel+Escape as we continue the evolution of his hit Survivorman series,” said Marcia Martin SVP, Original Content, Blue Ant Media. “His rugged determination, ability to harness resources and willingness to do anything to survive will fascinate and entertain our Travel+Escape audiences.”

“I have a true passion for travel and a great desire to explore the most isolated locations on the planet,” said Les Stroud. “Survivorman 10 Days pushes me to go further and I can’t wait to take viewers along with me on my journey of discovery.”

Survivorman 10 Days is produced by Les Stroud Productions. The creative team includes Executive Producer Barry Farrell, VP Production Wendy Turner and Executive Producer and Show Creator Les Stroud.