Village Gamer

On the heels of announcing its launch across Canada this November, Hollywood Suite has chosen its advertising and digital agencies of record, Wunderkind and Rocket Digital Management (RDM). Featuring commercial-free HD movies 24/7, uncut and unedited, Hollywood Suite is the exclusive home of movie channels from both Warner Bros. and MGM. Hollywood Suite Inc. is a newly formed, privately owned Toronto-based company founded by industry veterans Jay Switzer, Jeff Sackman, Michael McLaughlin, Catherine Tait and David Kines. Read the rest of this entry »

Ceridian and Dayforce have announced a major expansion of the InView solution that will bring payroll, HR, self-service, benefits and workforce management onto a single platform, backed by Dayforce’s award-winning technology. The integrated InView solution will build upon the overwhelming success of the workforce management solution that the companies brought to market this year. That product was roundly applauded by analysts and clients alike. Read the rest of this entry »

G-Team, Groupon’s philanthropic arm featuring campaigns from local organizations promoting social good, expands its North American presence this week with launches in Vancouver and Abbotsford, bringing G-Team’s total markets served to 65. Vancouver and Abbotsford community members join G-Team supporters in 63 other Groupon markets including Chicago, New York, Portland, Toronto and Washington, D.C. that feature local G-Team campaigns.

“We’re excited to connect Groupon’s Vancouver and Abbotsford subscribers to their cities in an entirely new way with G-Team,” said Patty Huber, Director, G-Team. “While Groupon helps build local businesses in each market, G-Team helps support the communities where these businesses flourish.”

Postmedia Network has acquired Sprouter Inc., an Internet content company that specializes in the areas of technology, digital media, entrepreneurship and startups. Through the acquisition, Sprouter Inc. becomes a division of Postmedia Network Inc., but will continue to operate under the Sprouter name and branding under the leadership of Sarah Prevette.
Read the rest of this entry »

The Ontario Media Development Corporation and DOC Toronto are hosting a workshop for documentary producers with Jennifer Blitz, Director of Tax Credits & Financing on October 5th. Ms. Blitz will do a hands-on presentation about the process of applying for Ontario Film and Television Tax Credits. The workshop will feature hypothetical case studies and strategies to help you maximize your returns. Documentary producer Jeannette Loakman (Peep Culture, Cat Ladies) will moderate. This workshop is free for DOC Members or $20.00 for Non-Members. Space for this event is limited to 40 attendees, with registration mandatory. The workshop will take place at Toronto’s NFB Mediatheque, 150 John Street 2nd Floor Atelier, beginning at 2:30 p.m. and running until 4:30 p.m.

Astral’s Family Channel has announced that Radio Disney will be available in Canada for free and without a subscription exclusively on Family.ca. The 24-hour radio station devoted to kids, tweens and families will stream on the network website as of today.

“Music is an integral element of the Family brand and it is a pleasure to be able to offer Radio Disney, free of charge to Family fans,” said Joe Tedesco, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Astral Kids. “Not only does launching Radio Disney on Family.ca strengthen our connection with our audience who we know are keen for more music, it also further entrenches the relationship between Astral and Disney.” Read the rest of this entry »

Indian Grove Productions, in association with Shaw Media, announced today that principal photography is underway for season two of the character-driven police drama series, King. Thirteen one-hour episodes will be filmed at a west-end Toronto soundstage and on location in and around the city until March 15, 2012. Season two is expected to premiere on Showcase this winter (2012).

Amy Price-Francis (The Cleaner, 24, and most recently, Grey’s Anatomy) reprises her role as “Jessica King,” a charismatic but flawed female cop and lead investigator of the Major Crimes Task Force (M.C.T.F.). Gabriel Hogan (Heartland, The Kennedys) returns as King’s husband, Police Constable “Danny Sless”. Other returning cast members include Alan Van Sprang (The Tudors, Cra$h & Burn) as Detective Sergeant “Derek Spears” – former head of the M.C.T.F. and two-time Genie Award winner Tony Nardi (Cra$h & Burn) as Police Chief “Peter Graci”. Read the rest of this entry »

On September 28th, in conjunction with the official presentation of its fall television season at its Toronto head office, GroupeMédia TFO took the opportunity to provide an update on the strategic shift that the organization undertook in January 2011. Both presentations were attended by representatives of Ontario’s Francophone community, the media, the public and private sectors, and GroupeMédia TFO’s partners. Read the rest of this entry »

Rock Hippo Productions has launched the Second Phase of Closed Beta for its online multiplayer action game, Brawl Busters. Closed Beta Phase Two offers a network upgrade, a new map, new items and a special invitation system for existing players to invite friends to play without a need for a Beta Key.

“The Second Closed Beta Phase offers a complete overhaul and fine-tuning of the network infrastructure to create a seamless and fast brawling experience. Along with the all-new content , we’re sure that the players will be overjoyed!” said Howard He, President and CEO of Rock Hippo Productions. Read the rest of this entry »

marblemedia brings three new cross-platform series by top-tier creative talent to MIPCOM 2011 in Cannes this year. The company is looking for partners interested in developing these projects.

“We’ve been developing these exciting properties with some of the industry’s freshest talent, and we’re really looking forward to showcasing them at MIPCOM this year,” says Matt Hornburg, Partner/Executive Producer, marblemedia. “We’re interested in speaking with potential partners who are looking for comedy content in the kids and youth space.”

Visit marblemedia’s MIPCOM stand #02.10 to check out these new additions to the studio’s development slate: Read the rest of this entry »