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YANGAROO Inc. has appointed industry veteran Brent Finkelstein to the position of Vice President Sales, Advertising Division.  Based in New York, Brent will lead all sales activity to advance the company’s growth and help ad agencies and media companies realize the opportunities and value enabled by YANGAROO’s DMDS platform.  The platform represents the most technologically advanced integration with broadcasters, allowing for seamless delivery of high definition video ads without the added expense of ancillary production charges.  He will report to Karen Dealy, YANGAROO’s President of Advertising Operations.

“Brent is a seasoned veteran, top performer and heavy hitter with senior level agency relationships,” said Karen Dealy, President Advertising Operations. “I am extremely pleased to have someone with his talent and expertise join our team.  His drive along with savvy executive level sales and management experience will quickly drive additional growth for YANGAROO.” Read the rest of this entry »

BCIC and Wavefront have announced the twelve companies chosen to participate in year two of the entrepreneurship@Wavefront program. This 12-month program is designed to support and nurture early-stage B.C. wireless companies from product concept to market entry. The successful applicants were evaluated and selected by a panel comprised of individuals from Wavefront, BCIC and the investment community.

“We were impressed with the range and quality of solutions presented this year,” commented Jim Maynard, President of Wavefront. “We saw cross-sector wireless innovation with concepts ranging from enterprise Machine-to-Machine (M2M) applications for the agriculture and health sectors to consumer applications spanning education, gaming and fashion.” Read the rest of this entry »

IGLOO Software has announced the appointment of Andrew Dixon as Vice President of marketing & operations. A seasoned enterprise software executive, Dixon joins IGLOO from Microsoft Canada, where he served as Vice President and Business and Marketing Officer.

In this new role, Dixon will join the executive leadership team helping to refine the go-to-market strategy for IGLOO’s social intranet and extranet solutions. He will also drive the strategic integration of business, marketing and operations in order to align talent and resources to most effectively drive growth in this multi-billion dollar industry. Read the rest of this entry »

Canada-wide film exhibition company Empire Theatres has announced that it will begin development of a new 10-screen theatre complex in Kingston. The construction of Empire Theatres Kingston is expected to begin in late November, 2011. The new complex will be located at the intersection of Division Street and Dalton Avenue as part of the second phase of a larger commercial development – Kings Crossing Power Centre.

Empire Theatres Kingston will blend entertainment with technology in a contemporary and unique design. The 41,000 square foot complex will feature digital technology in all 10 auditoriums for high quality picture, Dolby Digital surround sound, luxurious high-back seats. Plenty of well lit, free parking will be available.

In addition, Empire Theatres Kingston will feature Empire Theatres’ very own “Empire Extra” in one auditorium. Empire Extra provides guests with a heightened sensory experience in a special auditorium designed to offer dynamic sound, screen and seat quality. Empire Extra boasts a custom-designed multi-channel sound system for the ultimate audio experience; stunning digital presentation on a massive, wrap-around screen; and reserved seating in comfy, high back rockers.

The theatre will include an expansive main lobby, a lounge area with leather seating, Automated Box Offices, an expanded refreshments offering and large rooms that will be used for community and corporate use. Guests will also be able to purchase their tickets at refreshments for one-stop shopping.

“Bringing an unparalleled state-of-the-art entertainment experience to moviegoers in Kingston is very exciting for us at Empire Theatres,” says Dean Leland, Vice President of Studio Relations & Media.  “The building design combined with digital technology will make it the preferred destination for all Kingston movie-goers.”

David Lehberg, President of Knightstone Capital, believes that “Empire Theatres will add an entertainment element and contribute favorably to the tenant mix at Kings Crossing which currently includes: Canadian Tire, No Frills, Kingslake Plaza and the Kingston Fashion Centre”.

The 235,000 sq ft Phase II of Kings Crossing is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2013. The grand opening of the new Empire Theatres Kingston theatre is planned for late spring/early summer 2012.

The Toronto International Film Festival is just days away and the future looks bright for the film industry, according to PwC. The firm’s study shows global consumer spending on filmed entertainment will grow at a 5.9% compound annual rate over the next five years reaching US$114.8 billion in 2015 from $86.2 billion in 2010. This growth is strongest in markets showcased at TIFF, and Canada’s biggest film festival will screen more than 300 films from over 60 countries.

Producers from both major and emerging markets like China, Vietnam, Romania, Russia and India will see high compound annual growth rates ranging from 10% – 26%, between now and 2015. At the same time markets in North and South America, Europe and the Middle East will see moderate to strong gains between 3% and 9%.

“Revenues for filmed entertainment will be fuelled by the youth market and a variety of options for consumers to access movies. Watching movies online and via mobile devices will supplement box office spending on filmed entertainment,” says Michael Paterson, partner in PwC’s Entertainment & Media practice. “Expect to see higher quality film experiences for consumers as the industry looks for new ways to stay competitive by differentiating the way we access movies and enhancing the movie going experience.”

*Includes consumer spending at the box office, cinema advertising, in-store rental market, physical sell-through market, and electronic distribution.

According to PwC, worldwide box office spending will increase from US$33 billion in 2010 to US$48.7 billion by 2015, an 8.1% compound annual interest gain, supported by the growth in 3-D film screens. The increase in the number of 3-D screens will raise average prices which consumers will pay, keeping movie admissions steady. In 2010 in Canada, there were 350 3-D screens and the average price of a single movie ticket rose 5.5% over 2009, the first gain of more than 5% since 2000.

“While consumers may become more selective in choosing to see a 3-D film over the next few years, we believe 3-D and other innovations will have a long-term positive impact on admissions because these enhancements help to distinguish the theatrical experience from the home video and online experiences of watching a movie,” says Paterson.

In Canada, film and TV production generated about $6.8 billion in GDP in the Canadian economy in 2010 and led to the employment of over 117,000 individuals on a full-time basis across the country. North America will continue to be the biggest region for filmed entertainment, growing at 5.2% from US$39 billion in 2010 to over US$50 billion by 2015.

Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec have the highest share of total volume production in Canada at 39%, 27% and 25% respectively.

“Tax incentives are a critical part of the growth of the film industry, including domestic and international co-productions,” says Tracey Jennings, PwC’s Canadian Entertainment & Media Leader. “PwC continues to assist clients to obtain these tax credits which help to offset the cost of production in Canada. We have also seen many of the provinces enhance, and others introduce, digital media tax incentives which are becoming more important in a world of digital convergence. “

Sun Life Financial has launched its free mobile application for the iPhone mobile digital device and BlackBerry® smartphone. This new application, my Sun Life (Canada), provides existing group benefits and group retirement and savings plan members across Canada the ability to submit benefit claims, check plan balances and find ways to save for the future in a single mobile app.

For Sun Life group benefits plan members, the app allows them to submit medical and dental claims from their smartphones for instant processing – an industry first! Plan members are able to submit claims anywhere, anytime – even at point of sale – with the majority of claims being deposited into their bank accounts within 24 to 48 hours. Plan members can also view the details of their submitted claims, even those submitted through the mail, and have easy access to important benefit tools including their drug and travel protection cards.

“Making life easier for our clients is important to us and we know that providing mobile technology options is just one of the ways we can make it simpler for Canadians to do business with us,” says Stuart Monteith, Senior Vice-President, Group Benefits, Sun Life Financial Canada. “We’re excited to be the first insurance provider to offer mobile e-claims with instant adjudication in Canada.”

Group retirement and savings plan members can check their plan balances and recent contributions right from their phones. Sun Life now offers mobile access to account information and three interactive financial planning tools that take everyday spending situations and show how easy it is to turn small expenses into substantial savings. These tools build on Sun Life’s commitment to promote financial literacy.

“Our plan members tell us that having access to their account information, no matter where they are, is important to them,” says Tom Reid, Senior Vice-President, Group Retirement Services, Sun Life Financial Canada. “We’ve taken that a step further and not only given them the numbers, but we’re also showing clients that by making small changes to how they save, they can be that much closer to achieving their financial goals.”

Group plan members with an iPhone or BlackBerry® smartphone can download the free app directly from each manufacturer’s application marketplace. Users of other smartphones will have access to mobile web functionality after the launch of the app.

marblemedia has appointed Blake Tohana to the newly created role of CFO & COO. He will be working closely with Partners/Executive Producers Mark Bishop and Matthew Hornburg to lead the company’s growth and execute its strategic plan.

Blake will oversee the expansion of new divisions and departments, including marblemedia’s Interactive group and its International Sales & Distribution arm, Distribution360. In addition, he will be responsible for growing the company’s newly-created Factual & Lifestyle division, which is launching its first cross-platform property—What’s in a Name?— on History Television (Canada) on September 12^th, 2011.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Blake to the marblemedia team. Over the past decade, we’ve been fortunate to have grown significantly from a two person start-up to an award-winning multi-platform production studio. Blake will be implementing strategies to further expand our business in Canada as well as in international markets,” said Mark Bishop and Matthew Hornburg, Partners and Executive Producers at marblemedia.

Blake has nearly 15 years of senior management experience in the media and entertainment industry. Prior to joining marblemedia, he spent seven years as Executive Vice-President and CFO of Magna Entertainment Corp., which was North America’s largest horse racing company with media operations that included a U.S. television network and Internet wagering business. Prior to that, he held various senior management positions (including CFO) at Fireworks Entertainment Inc., which was a film and television production and distribution company that he helped take public before it was subsequently acquired by CanWest Global Communications Corp. Blake got his start in the industry as Corporate Controller of Alliance Communications Corp., which was Canada’s largest filmed entertainment company at that time.

Blake currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Media Development Corporation. He is a Chartered Accountant and has an MBA from McMaster University and a B.Sc. from The University of Western Ontario.

Toronto-based entertainment giant Playdium has launched its “Playdium Movie Magic ” DVD Rental Kiosk program. A self-service movie and game rental kiosk which replaces conventional brick and mortar rental retail shops. With more than 70 kiosks already deployed throughout the GTA and surrounding areas, movie and game enthusiasts worried about impending local video store closures will not need to look very far for a convenient and cost effective alternative.

Kiosks are located at various retail outlets (including approximately 25 Walmart Supercentres) and allow consumers to rent a DVD movie for only $2 plus tax for a day. Any additional days are charged at $1 plus tax. Kiosk capacity is 625 discs and content is primarily made up of new & recent releases with some classic titles offered. A full list of kiosk locations can be found on the Playdium web site.

Playdium Movie Magic began testing DVD kiosks in late 2010 and has been busy rolling out the kiosk program in 2011. Kiosk placements are continuing and Playdium Movie Magic intends to have well over 200 kiosks deployed by early 2012. Blu Ray format is currently being tested at various locations and Playdium Movie Magic will begin testing video game rentals in Q4 of 2011.

Playdium Movie Magic has had its eye on the success of DVD kiosk market in the U.S., where DVD rental kiosks number over 40 000 units deployed and represent approximately 33% of the DVD rental market. “DVD Rental Kiosks have shown great success in the U.S. market. Playdium Movie Magic gives Canadian consumers a fresh and easy way to rent movies and games at very affordable prices” said Len Keywood, Playdium CEO.

Along with the launch of its fall programming season, Teletoon has officially unveiled its newly-refreshed branding for the network’s English and French daytime properties. The new, wilder branding reflects the network’s tagline: “Teletoon: It’s Unreal” as well as the network’s brand essence: “Anything is possible.”

“Teletoon is a brand with unexpected characteristics – it’s funny, surprising, playful and – like kids – a little bit mischievous. With this refresh, we want to better unify and re-establish the brand as a whole – and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said Russell Ward, Vice President, Marketing, Teletoon Canada Inc. “We’ve incorporated the brand essence and personality in the logo itself, giving it infinite possibilities to take on different shapes, textures, materials, characteristics and much more.  In our world, everything begins and ends with Teletoon.”

The refreshed look takes on the characteristics of the network’s programming and overall attitude that reflects the fun, unexpected and imaginative spirit of Teletoon and its viewers. The updated Teletoon logo embodies the network’s tagline and brand essence with bold new animations, effects and colours, while maintaining its recognizable yellow colour. The new branding can be seen across Teletoon’s on-air and online platforms, including on-air promos and on-screen IDs and across teletoon.com.

In support and celebration of the Teletoon brand refresh, the network has planned a series of unreal surprises taking place at random locations that will surprise and delight unsuspecting fans while promoting the brand. The first such endeavor is the ongoing, Teletoon-branded, Unreal Ice Cream Truck that has been showing up unexpectedly all around Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area with brand ambassadors surprising fans with delicious treats. Other such surprises will be taking place in mystery locations in the coming months.

Open Text Corporation has acquired Operitel Corporation, a company headquartered in Peterborough that specializes in Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Enterprise Learning Portals. The acquisition adds powerful e-learning capabilities to OpenText’s solutions. Operitel’s solutions include social and mobile learning management and capabilities that integrate with Microsoft^® SharePoint.

“Given the scale of content and process management solutions we’re providing to global organizations today, integrated e-learning is becoming an integral part of the high value solution we provide,”  said John Shackleton, President and Chief Executive Officer of OpenText. “This acquisition will complement and extend OpenText’s solutions, providing award-winning LMS functionality to our global customer base. Operitel customers benefit from access to the resources and stability of Canada’s largest software company.”

With Operitel’s flagship product, LearnFlex^TM Learning Management System, customers can offer efficient learning services to their employees and customers. With additional strong mobile and social offerings, Operitel’s LMS technology further enhances and broadens functionality available to customers of OpenText’s ECM Suite. Customers can utilize Operitel’s solutions to deliver, track, and validate internal learning across their organizations. These learning services are especially critical for ensuring timely compliance with organizational and industry-specific regulatory requirements – capabilities that complement OpenText’s traditional strengths in compliance, information governance, and records management.

LearnFlex, which has received multiple awards, is built on Microsoft^®‘s .NET platform and is both a Microsoft Partner and a tier one Microsoft Official E-Learning reseller. Operitel builds solutions that support and extend Microsoft SharePoint. OpenText is a leader in providing solutions that integrate with SharePoint and Microsoft Office.  For SharePoint, OpenText offers BPM, application governance and archiving solutions. With Operitel, OpenText continues to add to its position as a leading Microsoft partner and a key provider of solutions that support and extend SharePoint.

“Operitel was built with the basic principle of putting the client first and concentrating on innovative solutions that are leading edge and enterprise scalable, ” said Michael Skinner, Chief Executive Officer of Operitel, who will continue to lead the company within the OpenText group. “I believe the acquisition of Operitel by OpenText is an excellent opportunity to provide our customers and partners assurance that we will continue to respond to their needs while at the same time leveraging the extended resources of a larger enterprise.”