Switch-up at The Star

After 18 years as one of Canada's most well-respected writers on books and authors, the Toronto Star's Philip Marchand is moving to a different beat. As of January, Marchand will turn his attention upwards toward the silver screen as he takes on duties reviewing films for the Star, while current film critic Geoff Pevere moves over to the books side.

Marchand has been widely known as Canada's only full-time books columnist in Canada, and, along with his writing at the Star, is also an author of several books, including his most recent publication, Ghost Empire.

Both Marchand and Pevere's contact info at the Star will remain the same.

Andrea Levesque Leaves Urban Rush

Andrea Levesque is leaving her production post at Shaw TV's popular Urban Rush program.

Please continue to send pitches to the rest of the production team at:

Marlene Gurvich - marlene.gurvich@sjrb.ca
Jay Brown - jay.brown@sjrb.ca
Lisa MacFarlane - lisa.macfarlane@sjrb.ca
George Lacny - george.lacny@sjrb.ca

Stay tuned for Andrea's new coordinates.

Hello 1999!!! BPAC Launches Blog!!!

So, there it is. We’ve decided to join the late 20^th century. And here you are too!

Bookmark us, come back often or subscribe to our RSS feed. You’ll find frequent updates (promise!), including media changes, event announcements, tips and job postings as well as other useful information, links and resources.

We’re also updating our membership list and developing a comprehensive industry directory which we plan to make available to members and media. Please email us your full contact details in the following format if you’d like to be included;

First name, Last name
Postion
Employer
Email address – phone number

As usual, please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions or concerns.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Best,

Steve

BPAC Job Posting: Goose Lane, Publicity and Promotions Specialist

We're expanding our talent pool.

At Goose Lane, we're deep thinkers. We're deeply creative. And, well, some of us are just off the deep end. That's the way we are. And apparently it's working. Maybe it's your turn to dive in to our tank. White Speedos strictly prohibited.

Wanted: A Publicity and Promotions Specialist

The work is demanding. That's why it demands a multi-tasking dynamo. We’re seeking a publicity and promotions specialist who is well read and well organized, can work independently and set priorities, understands the media, and loves to talk about books and ideas and engage others in the conversation. The successful candidate will have a strong sense of initiative and enjoy the challenge and rewards of working with a fast-paced, creative team.

General Responsibilities include:

· Developing, planning and executing innovative and effective promotional campaigns
· Consulting with the publisher, editors, designers, authors and sales people
· Writing news releases, catalogue copy, advertising copy and text for a variety of promotional materials
· Planning and preparing materials for trade fairs and sales conferences, and representing the company at such events
· Maintaining good relations with book review media and other journalists
· Managing the publicity and promotions budget
· Supervising free-lance publicists as assigned

Candidates should also have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years work experience, or 5 years of experience in media or publicity/public relations. We’ll also be looking for someone with strong verbal and written communication skills, an understanding of MS Office applications, and experience in event planning. Some travel is required.

For a more complete job description, visit our website at www.gooselane.com.

Remuneration: $33,000 to $35,000 per annum.

Goose Lane also offers a comprehensive cost-shared health care/insurance package and a collaborative work environment.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the growing team at Goose Lane, send a cover letter/resume stating your qualifications and salary expectations to

The Publisher
Goose Lane Editions
500 Beaverbrook Court, Suite 330
Fredericton, NB E3B 5X4
Fax: (506) 459 4991
info@gooselane.com

CBC Launchs New Daytime Lifestyle Program

The original Designer Guys, Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman join the CBC daytime schedule with a new program about living life large and having fun doing it. Steven & Chris premieres Monday, January 14 at 2 p.m. The show will feature accessible and manageable tips and tricks to make daily routines in all areas of life-from home décor, fashion & beauty, cooking and entertaining, health & fitness and relationships-just a little more special.

For more information please contact;

Portia Corman

Story Producer

Steven & Chris, CBC

9F 200-S

P.O. Box 500, Station " A"

Toronto, Ont. M5W1E6

cormanp@cbc.ca

Pride and Word on the Street team up again for Proud Voices

Pride and Word on the Street have teamed up again to produce Proud Voices, the second installment in an ongoing partnership. The Literary Programming Committee at Pride Toronto is now accepting pitches for their 2008 programme.

Please send review copies and supporting materials to:

Pride Toronto Literary Programming Committee
501-65 WELLESLEY ST E
TORONTO ON M4Y 1G7

or contact Christopher McKinnon, Literary Programming Coordinator & Lead Programmer at literary_entertainment@pridetoronto.com for more information

Vancouver Pub Group: Gathering Number Five

No matter what your role is in the industry, you're welcome to join the Vancouver Pub Group for the fifth of their (sort of) monthly meet-ups:

Thursday, December 6th
5pm - 8pm
at the Irish Heather (corner of Water & Carrall, in Gastown)

Hope to see you there.....

Rachel Giese moves to Chatelaine

Rachel Giese is leaving her production post at CBC Arts Online on November 29 to join Chatelaine as a Senior Editor.

Andre Mayer will continue act as the primary publishing contact at CBC Arts Online and can be reached at andre_mayer@cbc.ca and 416.205.3295.

Rachel's new contact details:

Rachel Giese
Senior Editor
Chatelaine
One Mount Pleasant Road
Toronto ON M4Y 2Y5
416 764 2414
rachel.giese@chatelaine.rogers.com

BPAC Events: 2007, A Recap

This year’s calendar of BPAC events kicked off in February with a sold out luncheon at Coca, a stylish new Spanish tapas resto on Queens Street West. The Debutantes presented a unique opportunity to meet four of Toronto’s leading literary event planners while sampling one of the most hyped menus in the city. Audrey Gagnon of Pages This is Not a Reading Series and Maggie Rust of Word on the Street gave presentations on new elements of their established series’ while Samara Walbohm of Type Books and Amy Logan Holmes unveiled plans for programs still in development. It was a great opportunity for everyone; we got a sneak peak at the future of Toronto’s events landscape and our panellists had a valuable opportunity to meet their collaborators for a personal conversation.

March brought BPAC’s inaugural Basics presentation by Penguin Canada’s Senior Publicity Manager, David Leonard. David hosted the event in Penguin’s boardroom and gave a comprehensive seminar on collecting and creating the essential elements of a dynamic, innovative and informative press kit. Be sure to keep your assistants and interns appraised of this new series; it’s a wonderful way to learn new skills, meet established industry players and build a profile.

A little later in the month BPAC explored the world of boutique marketing firms. At an exclusive event, once again hosted in Penguin’s boardroom, attendees were given a unique opportunity to meet with representatives from three of Canada’s leading specialty firms, all of whom are well know for their pioneering marketing solutions. Patrick Thoburn presented on MatchStick’s managed word of mouth campaigns; Jennifer Evans shared some secrets from Sequentia’s experience in branded online community building and Chris Carder discussed the targeted email marketing services supplied by ThinData. Each presenter generously shared valuable tips on making these ideas work for our industry and discussed opportunities for ways we could work together.

BPAC’s next Basics event was hosted by Rob Firing, HarperCollins’ Director of Publicity on April 24. Rob presented a one hour seminar on communicating effectively with our partners in the media and utilizing opportunities available outside the publishing industry to fully realize a book’s potential. Using a variety of examples from recent campaigns including The Weather Makers and The Unknown Terrorist, Rob gave an inspiring lesson on pooling resources and relationships to build a strong, integrated strategy.

This year’s BPAC Future of Publishing took place at Grano on May 10. Susan G. Cole moderated the event, taking a comprehensive look at the industry’s prospects with The Walrus’ Editor Ken Alexander, Book Television’s Kim Clarke Champniss and Giller Prize nominated novelist Randy Boyagoda. McClelland and Stewart’s Jennifer Lambert offered unique editorial insights while Samara Walbohm, proprietor of Type Books, weighed in on the year in retail. Quill and Quire’s Editor Derek Weiler and Geoffrey Taylor, Director of Harbourfront’s International Festival of Authors talked about the big picture and put everything in wide angle context, covering topics from marketing and publicity to world business trends.

The events season wraps up tonight with the BPAC Jack Award party at Czehoski where we will honour veteran book seller Richard Bachmann. It’s sure to be a fantastic evening, with lots of guests turning out to toast Bachmann and steel their livers for the rest of Book Expo. I’ve really enjoyed putting together this series of events and I’m looking forward to working on next year’s schedule. I would definitely appreciate any suggestions or requests anyone might have.

Best,

Steve