You can call me Al, ah, Charles Adler!

Back in 1974 I worked with an evening announcer at CKXL Calgary named Al Adler. He seemed ‘way too smart’ to be introducing Donnie Osmond records and a few years later it was pretty clear that Al, or as he is known today, Charles Adler was a smart cookie and has made a very big name for himself as Canada’s premier talk show host on radio – and soon on “Sun Television” which launches this week.

Charles did the smart thing and worked his way up the radio food chain at various properties both big and small, which meant taking gigs honing his skills in both Canada and The United States.

His evolution into the talk mode actually happened in Calgary in the early 90’s, when then he launched a syndicated show called Hot Talk in 1992.

“Calgary was my first on air job when I worked with you and also where I reinvented myself as a talk show host so on top of everything else it's why Alberta always has a soft spot in my heart....It's where I fell in love with doing radio and talk radio.”

In Toronto at Newstalk giant CFRB, Charles worked with legendary radio guy Roy Hennessey, as he noted for the ‘fourth time’ and it was Roy who helped him gain a foothold in the news talk format.

“Roy's one of my very favorite radio people. He always spoke glowingly of Edmonton where he loved being PD of CHED and working for the Cowboy - Vern Trail”

Flash forward to today and Charles Adler is now heard on Corus Radio’s talk network, as well as on a few independent station's, covering 14 markets that literally are ‘coast to coast’ from Halifax to Victoria.

It’s already a huge amount of work to remain current and compelling on the air on a daily basis so I asked Charles how he is going to be able to juggle the workload with two very high profile positions.

“The two shows will be seamless. Many of the ideas that we discuss on the radio we will also do on TV. The Sun is providing me with great resources both human and content to make it possible.
I am incredibly thankful to Corus for giving me the green light. Without the Corus platforms this could never have happened. I am energized by my different projects and so the columns and radio and tv shows all energize each other. As far as the Citizen of Adler Nation is concerned, I am just Chuck, Uncle Chuck and I am available to them on various media platforms. The brand is the SAME. I have a very deep connection to my listeners and I love the idea of having access to them at various times of day on several platforms.”

When asked “where do you see SUN TV sitting in the Canadian tv landscape?” his response was…

“It won't have an Eastern focus or Eastern Bias. It will be much more people oriented. Much less Ivory Tower. Much less political chattering class. Much fewer professional lobbyist talking heads. Much more personal. Much more like the Talk Radio our listeners love to hear. Spontaneous, Real, Passionate, and Pro Canada. I won't be advocating that we take all our cues from the United Nations before our country decides to get involved in helping people in another country. That's an interesting Canadian Elitist position espoused by the Liberal Party leader others. It's not my idea of the Canada that citizens of Adler Nation feel so strongly about.”

I noted that Sun Television has put together a staff of some top notch broadcast talent, several with RADIO backgrounds, and asked “do you think that's essential in this type of offering now?”

“Yes I think it is. People with Radio backgrounds are far better trained to connect with audiences than some of the professional talking heads who have populated the TV landscape. In radio if you don't connect with a large audience, you don't stay on the air. Radio people have been tested and they know the difference between connecting with the Ivory Tower and real every day people working hard to pay the bills and worried about real life issues not the abstract esoteric duller than dishwater stuff that takes up so much time on elite chattering class tv.”

Finally, “what's Canada's BIGGEST hurdle in your mind these days?”

“What Canada needs to do most is have genuine national conversations that are far less worried about being polite and far more concerned about telling the truth.

Let's tell the truth to Quebec about how much we support Quebec with our dollars and cents. Let's tell the truth to people who come to Canada about Canadian standards, about the work ethic and about the rule of law about our respect for diverse points of view and having discussions without the need to incite hatred and threaten violence.

Let’s not fear telling the truth about how proud we are of our country and why. Let's not wait until we have another Olympic Games on Canadian soil before we express how much love we have for Canadian Excellence and Canadian Talent.

So 'thank you' Al, I mean "Charles." Old habits run deep.

We're long overdue for a face to face visit again after all these years and I can safely and confidently say "you've come a long way from those evening radio gigs in Cowtown my friend."

I have a deep respect for what you have built in your career and I'm very much looking forward to seeing your radio face on television with the brand spanking new Sun Television debuting this week in Canada.


*PS: The rest of the team at CKXL at that time were a pretty talented bunch too. People like Donnie Burns, Rob Christie, Ted Pound, Greg Haroldson, Jim Jackson, Tom Tompkins, Myke Thomas, GM Tom McBride, Johnnie Walker, the legendary Dr. Dan, PD Bob Robertson and news folks like Hal Gardiner Ron Wood, and J Paul Huddelston. In Sales CFL perennial all star Herm Harrison; and Skip Hudson, GM Keith James Sr. came on in the mid 70's as well.

For somebody who wants to be a real Programmer -great gig!

Content Director
 
 
 
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Content Director is responsible for the strategic vision, management and implementation of CKUA content, including on-air programming, digital video and web initiatives across all platforms. The Content Director manages a team that includes on-air staff and contractors, web content development, traffic, technical production and creative writing services. The Content Director is responsible for the user’s content experience in engaging with the CKUA both on-air and on-line.
 
Key Responsibilities:
 
• Develops and implements a long range, strategic content plan for CKUA in keeping with the following:
o Preserving and enhancing the programming mandate and integrity of CKUA
o The promise of performance requirements & policies of the CRTC
o The directive and vision set forth by the board and CEO
o The needs of the audience
• Develops and promotes strategies to leverage the production and distribution of CKUA content across all platforms
• Monitor, assess and oversee development, production of all content for CKUA and proactively seeks new content opportunities for CKUA
• Contributes ideas for online elements of terrestrial programs and works with station partners to create and maintain a long-term editorial direction and schedule
• Helps define CKUA’s voice in the social media space and works in conjunction with marketing to develop social media strategies.
• Leads, manages and supervises the performance of CKUA staff involved in content creation, which includes announcer/producers, contractors, news team, web team, traffic, technical production and creative writing services. Provides regular feedback and assessment, including conducting formal performance reviews on an annual basis.
• In consultation with the COO, recruits and hires staff to support the mandate of the content plan for CKUA
• Provides regular reports and analysis about CKUA content, to internal and external audiences (ie SOCAN data)
• Keep abreast of industry trends and issues including technological trends and prepare reports as needed for the COO, CEO and Board.
• Manage announcer scheduling
• Develop annual budget and manage expenditures for the content department
• Work with the Director of Marketing and the Executive Producer of Community & Special Projects to develop and promote strategies to strength CKUA’s community relationships and enhance the CKUA brand across Alberta
• Contribute to the senior management team and work with the team to set operational plans and budgets on an annual basis.
 
Desired Knowledge, Education and Experience:
 
• Degree or diploma from accredited broadcasting institution, with a focus on Radio
• A seasoned professional with 10+ years of experience in progressively responsible roles in the Radio broadcasting industry. Preference is given to not for profit or non-commercial broadcasting environments.
• Experience in managing a  team
• Strong leadership, mentorship, coaching and consensus building skills
• Tech savvy, with a high degree of skills in basic computer applications, including spreadsheets and databases.
• Knowledge and experience with overseeing the production of digital content for the web and mobile platforms.
• Comfortable with social media.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills
• Comfortable with change
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize activities to deliver on commitments.
• Understand the fiscal constraints of a non-profit and is able to deploy resources efficiently to obtain the maximum results given limited budgets.
• Familiar with CKUA’s history, programming and culture
 
Working Relationships:
 
• Reports to the Chief Operating Officer
• Works closely with the management team and other staff at CKUA to support departmental marketing needs
• Works collaboratively with the Executive Producer of Community and Special Projects to co-create content from CKUA’s live performance initiatives
 
Desired Competencies:
 
The Content Director is expected to demonstrate the following competencies and behaviours in order to successfully meet the requirements of the position and to support the goals and objectives of CKUA Radio.
 
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of the CKUA team, to assist and support other staff, and to facilitate a team environment through work contributions and the sharing of expertise and knowledge.
• Ability to demonstrate conduct appropriate to the occasion, when representing CKUA on a formal or informal basis.
• Ability to support, coach, develop and encourage fellow staff
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills (verbal & written) in dealing with staff, suppliers, sponsors and other stakeholders.  Exercises discretion and diplomacy.
• Personal initiative and creativity/innovation to facilitate the marketing of CKUA.
• Excellent planning and organization skills.
• A desire to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
 
 
Contact in Confidence
 
Ed Davies
Partner
Davies Turpin & Associates
780 903-1488
ecd@daviesturpin.com
 

Senator McCain wades in to the Coyotes/Goldwater debate

Arizona's United States Senator John McCain was interviewed by Todd Walsh during tonight's Coyotes/Blackhawks game about the Coyotes ownership issues and here is what he said:

"I have been encouraging people to sit down and negotiate and make people understand how important the Coyotes are – not just to Glendale, but to the entire state of Arizona. We are a big league Valley and the economic impact right now would be very devastating to the state of Arizona."

On tonight's news about Matthew Hulsizer concession on the parking issue: "I hope that now the Goldwater Institute’s concerns will be satisfied and they will now sit down and negotiate and make sure that we can have an assured presence of the Coyotes for the next - forever... Long after I am gone."

"It is to the greater good of the state of Arizona that the Coyotes remain here. Obviously, I am not negotiating but I have been encouraging parties – including the board members of the Goldwater Institute itself – we need to have the Coyotes stay here. If they leave, it isn’t just zero sum game. It is a very severe negative impact on the state of Arizona."

Former Arizona attorney general Grant Woods was also interviewed - here is what he said:
"Does this satisfy the gift clause? I think so. If you look at the case law, the Arizona Supreme Court recently interpreted the gift clause and I don’t even think it’s that close of a call now given this pretty significant concession of Mr. Hulsizer."

"They were very clear at the Goldwater Institute – one of their people – their litigator – printed out “this is our concern” and it was this whole parking situation and the shortfall shouldn’t fall on the tax payers. Mr Hulsizer has now stepped forward recognizing that concern – he didn’t have to do it, but he’s done it and I think that really makes this a no brainer. I think it’s significant that the Goldwater Institute has done what they have done. Good for them. They have actually protected the tax payers here. They have performed a good service. Now, we need to have them to move onto other projects. We need to close this deal and keep the Coyotes here."

My daughters struggles with GRAVES DISEASE!

It's epic in length but I'm so pleased that my daughter got through this horrible experience and that she took the time to chronicle what happened so that others who may have to travel down this horrible path may benefit from her description.

Please read or 'scan' when you can - and feel free to share with anybody you know who may be experiencing Graves disease.

http://rayanneforbes.weebly.com

And my thanks to all our friends who helped keep her spirits up throughout the ordeal. We're so happy to have our 'little girl' back...

Marty and Kim Forbes!

I love British humor

For a better understanding between nations... by John Cleese

  
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist
threats and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed"
to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to
"Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross."
The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when
tea supplies nearly ran out.
Terrorists have  been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody
Nuisance." The last  time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance"
warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.


The Scots have raised  their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's
get the  Bastards." They don't  have any other levels. This is the
reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for
the last 300 years.


The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its
terror alert level  from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels
in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender."  The rise was
precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag
factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.


Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly"
to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain:
"Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."


The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful
Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs."  They also
have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."


Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only
threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.


The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to
deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new
Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.


Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No
worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate." Two more escalation levels
remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to  cancel the barbie this
weekend!" and "The barbie is canceled." So far no situation has ever
warranted use of the final escalation level.