Friday, 30 March 2012

LinkedIn With Investigative Journalists - Maybe You Want To Drop Me

Stephen Weir


LinkedIn Privacy Alert - Telephone, Telegraph and Tell a Publicist



Yesterday, for the second time in a month an investigative criminal reporter has called me looking for info on people that I am linked into through the popular business social network.
This time it was concerning a case of medical fraud, and one of my Linkedin  contacts was related to a doctor arrested in the US. 
The Star was trying to reach Toronto relatives for comment. My Linkedin contact, a member of the media himself, was related directly to this doctor.
At the beginning of the month the Globe and Mail was asking for Linkedin information that would help the paper contact a woman about to be charged over an insider trading issue (gold stocks).
Their calls kicked off an internal ethical debate.  You see, I am a trained journalist, I live to write about diving, the ocean and anything we swim in. But, freelance writing journalism, being  one of the lowest paying jobs on the planet,  requires non-writing support to keep the car payments on sched.  So,  I am also a very active publicist with contacts in many different communities around the world. I work in the arts, in the Caribbean community, in our country's publishing industry and even the world of the wrongly convicted. 
One side of me wants to help out any reporter looking for assistance in any  legal way possible. The other side of me is wondering if my Linkedin connection information is subject to privacy concerns, and I should not willing give out numbers, email addresses and job information.
Background: I was quick to jump on the Linkedin bandwagon. In the early days almost everyone I approached to link agreed to sign up with me. As a result I have two accounts, one with over 1,500 connections, the other with 600 or so.  According to Linkedin I have over 9 million colleagues in terms of  first, second and third level signees.
It works both ways. Lately I have been getting Linkedin requests from real estate agents from Atlanta, investment accountants from New York and even IR experts working in Nigeria.  I weed out the insurance agents, sex trade workers and tax specialist, but,  link with almost everyone else.
So, in reality the vast majority of people on my two network are unknown to me. Do I owe these vast group of strangers some sort of privacy protection? People who become my contacts decide themselves as to what information they are going to give me, so,  should I consider their data as being public information?
Giving private information to a publicist is not like talking to a reporter off-the-record. As a journalist your secret is safe with me.  As a publicist? You must be kidding.  It would be hard to convince the police or the courts that a public relations person could "protect his sources".
In reality a publicist will sing loud, long and probably pay for the drinks (receipt please).  The world used to say the three best ways to get information out - telephone, telegraph and tell a publicist.
Question: So what did I do?  In the first case, I was actually once removed from the person being investigated for exchange irregularities.  I had no idea who she was.  I was Linkedin to this woman through a connection with the Wine Ladies radio show. Believe we were all involved in a community  fundraiser. I told the Globe the connection and left it at that.
In the case of the doctor arrested in the US, I did phone my Linkedin in contact ( I have him in my own data base ) and asked if it was alright to provide the Star with his number. He said yes. I did. They talked. Then the Star called again wanting contact information on other family members.
Given the size and scope of my data base, what will I do the next time I get a  media call? Don't know. Depends on how moral I am feeling at the time.
I have an eclectic life. I used to believe in that philosophy that says you are the sum of the five people you most hang-out with. Nowadays does that apply to Linked In friends as well? If so, maybe I should purge? Or more importantly, should you the reader, review your on-line data and flush me out of your maililng list? ( I wouldn't blame you).
(as published in Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/stephen-weir/linkedin-privacy_b_1401066.html )

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Samantha Francis, Andrew Westoll  and Jane Goodall at film launch

Westoll and Goodall concerned about plight of Chimps 
 
Chimpstock at Toronto's Ontario Science Centre

Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction winner, Andrew Westoll, (The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary: A Canadian Story of Resilience and Recovery) was on hand at Toronto's Ontario Science Centre in late March to introduce the renowned wildlife researcher and primatology  activist Jane Goodall, to a standing-room-only theatre audience.  Over 250 people came to the Science Centre that evening to listen to Ms Goodall and to watch a screening of Jane's Journey, a 2010 107 minute bio-documentary filmed by Lorenz Knauer.
Both Westoll and Goodall share a concern for the plight chimpanzees.  They see the chimp as a species facing extinction.  " I now travel the world speaking on their behalf," said 75-year old Jane Goodall prior to the film screening. " I am on the road 300 days a year, speaking to people just like you! My message? We can save a species!"
Andrew Westoll's award winning book documents his stay at a private  Quebec  sanctuary where American chimpanzees who have grown up in laboratories and been used in horrific experiments  are allowed to live out their lives free of any more medical testing.
Westoll's book about these chimps made him a suitable choice to introduce Jane Goodall to a receptive Toronto audience.  At the podium he talked about how a meeting with Goodall ended up with him running madly through downtown Vancouver, looking for a bookstore where he could buy his own book!
" I simply picked up the hotel phone and asked to speak to Jane Goodall," he said.  " I went up to her room and we talked for over 45 minutes."
As the meeting between the two chimp experts was winding down,  Goodall, asked for a copy of his new book.  " It was then I realized I hadn't brought one with me."
He asked her to stay put in her room for a few minutes. The Toronto writer quickly exited the hotel and ran as hard as he could through the streets of downtown Vancouver, looking for a bookstore.  He bought his own book, and ran back to the hotel and out-of-breath, presented it to Goodall.
Before signing her own books at the Toronto event Jane Goodall took time out to thank Westoll for getting the book to her, and praised him for the work has done in writing about the rehabilitation of  lab chimps in Canada.

Saturday, 24 March 2012

Stephen Weir's Flickr account

Alvin Curly at Diversity Conference in TorontosharkontheroofScience Centre team spent an hour getting into chidren's Face (book) - da Vinci would be proudfibreglass shark built over shop entrancesnorkeller's viewmore sponge on guns
Maria between a rock and a hard placeGrafitti Face Near The Arctic CircleRecipe - Icelandic Dirt Breadsign of deathI actually forgot to remember this chair for the rest of my lifeIn Honour of the Flying Wedgie
Tweet before you eatFallen AngelThere is a hole in the ozonewooden fishfibreglass seahorse under a balcony in IcelandA different kind of breakdancing
Don't you dare  try to jay walkFish made of reeds, towers over floating village, Lake Titicaca, peruCement Dolphin from PeruMichu Picchu Nut Bar AlertIn the storage area of a Cusco cathederal art showPointy-Headed People from Peru
the latest photographs by Stephen Weir that have been posted on Flickr

BLOG NOTE - always think I am social media savy and then I go press the wrong button on  Flickr and all of sudden all my Flickr pictures are posted!  Use Flickr in part to make photographs available for download to the media. Semi-private, and of little interest, but will leave them up for awhile. Check out my set of fibreglass fish photographs!

Friday, 23 March 2012

Toronto Police Chief William Blair Takes Top Honours in Diversity Leadership

T.O. TOP COP GETS TOP DIVERSITY AWARD TODAY
Chief Bill Blair speaks at a Toronto Diversity business conference

The Diversity Business Network recognized Toronto Police Chief William Blair as the 2012 Canadian Diversity Leadership Award winner at a Diversity conference in Toronto today. The award recognizes an individual or organization who is a ‘Champion’ for diversity and has also achieved success in implementation of diversity strategies to achieve organizational goals.
As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto’s Chief Blair has built an organization reflective of the cities motto “Diversity Our Strength”. His accomplishments and success in making diversity a core cornerstone is a beacon to other Canadian organizations in both the public and private sector.
“Chief Blair has set a benchmark for diversity achievement as Chief of Police of Toronto,” states Courtney Betty, President and Founder of DBN. “The service and commitment infused within the Toronto Police Services in cultural diversity and representation reflects Blair’s overall contribution in building a police force that will grow with this world-class City.”
Stephen Frost, Head of Diversity for London 2012 Olympic Games presented the award to Chief Blair at the Canadian Supplier Diversity Conference 2012. The conference waa held at the Allstream Center at Exhibition Place on Friday, March 23. The Canadian Supplier Diversity Conference 2012 brought together international and local diversity experts to examine the economic contribution of diversity to the Canadian economy.
William Blair was appointed Chief of the Toronto Police Service on April 26, 2005. The Toronto Police Service employs over 5500 police officers and 2200 civilian employees, the largest municipal police service in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The City of Toronto is a vibrant city covering 636 square kilometres with a diverse population of more than 2,600,000 people.
In the areas of promoting diversity in the workplace and commitment to building positive and functional relationships with the diverse communities of Toronto, Chief Blair has an outstanding record of achievement that continues to be the foundation for organizational success in reducing violence and crime across the city and helping communities to mobilize their resources to improve the quality of life in their neighbourhood.

Former House Speaker Alvin Curly talks about the good work that Chief Blair is doing in terms of diversity hiring in Toronto. He noted that both he and the chief are from Scarborough. Standing behind Alvin is Diversity Business Network's Courtney Betty.
The following are some of Chief Blair’s ground-breaking accomplishments and programs in the areas of Diversity and Human Rights that have taken form as a result of the Chief’s strategic vision for the Toronto Police Service:
  • The assignment of Deputy Chief Keith Forde to Human Resources Command in 2005 to direct the implementation of strategies and goals contained within two successive Toronto Police Service Business Plans (spanning 6 years), to recruit, retain and promote members so that the service is more reflective of the diversity of the community at the civilian, front-line uniform, and the leadership levels of the organization. As a result of the above efforts, by 2011 and continuing to the present, the representation of diversity in the Toronto Police Service is at a historical high with 20% of service members being from visible minority groups, 1% Aboriginals, and 29% female.
  • The proportional representation of these groups within the uniform ranks has increased dramatically over the past 10 years, in large part due to employment strategies implemented under Chief Blair. While uniform strength increased 11% overall during that period, the proportion of female officers increased by 32%, the proportion of Aboriginal officers by 38%, and the proportion of visible minorities by 86%. This included an overall 100% increase in the proportion of these members in the supervisory and leadership ranks.
About The Diversity Business Network

Left to right: Diversity Business Network's Coutney Betty, Head of Diversity  for the London Olympics Stephen Frost, and Chief Bill Blair holding his Diversity Award

DBN provides tools, strategies and systems for corporations to become world-class leaders and benefactors of supplier diversity. Our mission is to make diversity in the supply chain a cornerstone of corporate Canada and to establish the standard by which supplier diversity effectiveness is measured within business and government.
.Visit http://www.diversitybusinessnetwork.com/conference to learn more.
London Olympic's diversity expert Stephen Frost

Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Scotiabank posted this for my Friday short list press conference in Toronto

Media Alert/Photo-Op: Scotiabank Photography Award 2012 Shortlist Announcement

TORONTO, March 14, 2012 /CNW/ - On Friday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. the shortlist for the 2nd Annual Scotiabank Photography Award (SPA) will be announced at Scotia Plaza. The SPA is the largest and most generous peer reviewed celebration of excellence in Canadian contemporary photography. Created to raise the international profile of Canada's leading photographic artists, SPA is a truly national award that provides more than $100,000 in winner support. Three nominees will be announced as SPA finalists today.

What:    Shortlist announcement for 2012 Scotiabank Photography Award
  Preview of shortlist nominee images
   
Where:   Scotia Plaza
  44 King Street West, 4th floor
  Schooner Room
   
When:    Friday, March 16
  10:00 a.m.
   
Who:   Ed Burtynsky, Chair SPA; and one of Canada's most respected photographers
  John Doig, Senior Vice President - Toronto Region, Scotiabank
  Jane Nokes, Executive Director SPA; Director of the Fine Art Collection and Corporate Archives, Scotiabank
Additional information:
A panel of 12 experts comprised of art gallery directors, curators, practicing artists, professors, writers and critics from across Canada nominated the Canadian photographic artists to the jurors. The 2012 SPA winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.
For more information please visit: http://www.scotiabankphotoaward.com/index.html
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.
 

Saturday, 10 March 2012

Canada's Biggest and Most important Photography and Book Prize. Short List this Friday. (Join Us!)

SCotiabank Photography Award (SPA)
 
2012 Shortlist to be announced friday, march 16
 
TORONTO, ON (29/02/2012) -  The Scotiabank Photography Award (SPA) will announce its three shortlisted finalists on Friday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Scotia Plaza, 44 King St. West, 4th floor, Schooner Room. Now in its second year, the SPA was created to raise the international profile of Canada’s leading photographic artists and is the largest annual peer reviewed celebration of excellence in Canadian contemporary photography. 
 
“The SPA helps build recognition for Canadian artists with a developed body of work and who are building a following,” said Jane Nokes, Director of the Fine Art Collection and Corporate Archives at Scotiabank. “The award celebrates contemporary Canadian photographers whose work is enjoyed by, and adds to, the richness of communities across the country."
 
The SPA was conceived and developed by Ed Burtynsky, one of Canada’s most respected photographers and Jane Nokes, Director of the Fine Art Collection and Corporate Archives at Scotiabank Group. Mr. Burtynsky is Chair of SPA and Jane Nokes is Executive Director. Both serve on the Board of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, the largest photography festival in the world.
 
The three 2012 SPA shortlist finalists were chosen from a field of 12 nominees. The SPA winner will receive a cash prize of $50,000 and have a book of their works published and distributed world-wide by internationally-renowned art photography publisher Steidl (Germany). The winner will also be featured at their own curated exhibition at the following year's Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. This year's SPA winner will be announced on May 9, 2012. A $1500 honorarium will be awarded to the nominator of the winning photographer and the two runner-up finalists will each receive a $5000 cash prize.
 
For more information on SPA please visit: http://www.scotiabankphotoaward.com/index.html
 
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.
-30-
Media are requested to contact Stephen Weir & Associates to cover the announcement & unveiling:
Stephen Weir:            416-489-5868       cell: 416-801-3101   stephen@stephenweir.com
Linda Crane:                 905-257-6033      cell: 416-727-0112   cranepr@cogeco.ca
or
Crystal Jongeward, Scotiabank
Phone: 416.933.3056
Email: crystal.jongeward@scotiabank.com

Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Andrew Westoll is the Chimp ... er Champ ... of the Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction

 
Andrew Westoll Wins The 2012 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction
The winner of The 2012 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction is Andrew Westoll (Toronto, ON) for his book The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary: A Canadian Story of Resilience and Recovery.
Of the book, the jury said: "Brilliantly blending science and storytelling, primatologist and author Andrew Westoll takes us deep into the world of the haunted and haunting rescued research chimps of Fauna Sanctuary. Pulled from decades of horrific lab conditions, rescued chimps live out the balance of their long lives in sanctuaries such as Fauna, cared for and loved by an extraordinary group of people. Westoll deftly draws the reader into the wild day-to-day ride of life with the Fauna chimps and soon their Otherness falls away. Through his lens, the chimps are revealed as the individuals they are, with all their foibles, damage, and possibility — and the reader's world view shifts on its axis. Heart-rending and heart-warming, this is a stunning and important work of art and documentary and science."
Andrew Westoll's winning book, The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary: A Canadian Story of Resilience and Recovery, was also nominated for the BC National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction. He is an award-winning narrative journalist and internationally published author. A former biologist and primatologist, his first book, The Riverbones, is a travel memoir set in the jungles of Suriname, where he once lived as a monkey researcher. He took creative writing at the University of British Columbia. Andrew lives in Toronto with his wife, and continues to write while working at the University of Toronto.
The $25,000 prize was awarded to Andrew Westoll on Monday, March 5th during a gala luncheon, hosted by CBC's Mary Ito, and held in the historic Sovereign Ballroom of downtown Toronto's Le Meridien King Edward Hotel. The remaining finalists — Wade Davis, Charlotte Gill, JJ Lee, and Madeline Sonik — each received $2,000.
RBC Wealth Management, presenting sponsor of the prize, will host Andrew Westoll in select cities across Canada to speak about his winning book. Authors at Harbourfront Centre will feature Andrew Westoll at the International Festival of Authors (IFOA) in October.
The jurors for The 2012 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction are authors Allan M. Brandt (Cambridge, MA, USA) and Stevie Cameron (Toronto, Canada), and publishing consultant Susan Renouf (Toronto, Canada). They selected The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary: A Canadian Story of Resilience and Recovery from their shortlist of five books, which they in turn selected from their longlist of eleven books. All three jurors each read 115 books, submitted by 35 publishers from around the world. Books in the genre of literary non-fiction, published between November 1, 2010 and October 21, 2011, were eligible for submission if authored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and widely available for purchase in Canada.
Andrew Westoll by Tom Sandler

The trustees of the Charles Taylor Foundation are Michael Bradley (Toronto), Judith Mappin (Montréal), David Staines (Ottawa), and Noreen Taylor (Toronto). When asked about the jury's selection, Noreen Taylor, founder of the prize, said: "This year's jury had an exceptionally difficult task, for each of the five finalists presented unique strengths and approaches to their material. Andrew Westoll has the rare capacity to make all of his subjects engaging and memorable. Once introduced to his characters, their stories stay with you, leaving you to hope that he writes a sequel."
This is the eleventh awarding of the prestigious Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction, which recognizes excellence in Canadian non-fiction writing and emphasizes the development of the careers of the authors it celebrates. Since its inception, the prize has engaged Canadians in the genre of literary non-fiction and boosted sales of the winning authors' books. Founded in commemoration of the late Charles Taylor, one of Canada's foremost essayists and a prominent member of the Canadian literary community, the prize is awarded annually to the author whose book best combines a superb command of the English language, an elegance of style, and a subtlety of thought and perception.
The presenting sponsor of The Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction is RBC Wealth Management. "Congratulations to Andrew Westoll for winning the prestigious Charles Taylor Prize for 2012," said George Lewis, Group Head, RBC Wealth Management, presenting sponsor of the prize. "The work of all five finalists are impressive examples of literary excellence and demonstrate Canada's talent on the world stage. It is this excellence that RBC Wealth Management applauds and is proud to support."
The Major sponsor of The Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction is Windfields Farm. Its exclusive newspaper sponsor is The Globe and Mail; its media sponsors are CBC Books, CNW Group, The Huffington Post Canada, Maclean's magazine, and Quill & Quire magazine; and its In-Kind sponsors are Authors at Harbourfront Centre, Ben McNally Books, Event Source, Indigo Books and Music, Kobo Inc., Le Meridien King Edward Hotel, and The Toronto Review of Books.
For more information please visit: www.thecharlestaylorprize.ca
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/taylorprize
Visit http://bit.ly/yj58ZP to view the 2012 award ceremony webcast
Find prize photos and video at www.newswire.ca
SOURCE Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction
Image with caption: "Noreen Taylor, founder and chair of The Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction presented the prestigious $25,000 annual prize to Andrew Westoll, author of "The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary", at its annual gala luncheon in at Le Meridien King Edward Hotel in Toronto today. (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction) (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10783.jpg
Image with caption: "Andrew Westoll, author of "The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary" shows off his statuette after winning the 2012 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction, which was announced at Le Meridien King Edward Hotel in Toronto today. (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction) (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10784.jpg
Image with caption: "MADELINE SONIK - Afflictions & Departures: Essays, published by Anvil Press (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10758.jpg
Image with caption: "ANDREW WESTOLL - The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary: A Canadian Story of Resilience and Recovery, published by HarperCollins Publishers (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10759.jpg
Image with caption: "CHARLOTTE GILL - Eating Dirt: Deep Forests, Big Timber, and Life with the Tree-Planting Tribe, published by Greystone Books in association with the David Suzuki Foundation (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10760.jpg
Image with caption: "WADE DAVIS - Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory, and the Conquest of Everest, published by Alfred A. Knopf Canada (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10761.jpg
Image with caption: "JJ LEE - The Measure of a Man: The Story of a Father, a Son, and a Suit, published by McClelland & Stewart (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10762.jpg
Image with caption: "Allan Brandt - Juror (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10773.jpg
Image with caption: "Stevie Cameron - Juror (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10774.jpg
Image with caption: "Susan Renouf - Juror (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10775.jpg
Image with caption: "Wade Davis - Nominee (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10778.jpg
Image with caption: "Charlotte Gill - Nominee (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10779.jpg
Image with caption: "JJ Lee - Nominee (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10780.jpg
Image with caption: "Madeline Sonik - Nominee (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10776.jpg
Image with caption: "Andrew Westoll - Winner (CNW Group/Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120305_C9849_PHOTO_EN_10777.jpg


Monday, 5 March 2012

Mary Ito to host: 2012 Charles Taylor Prize Winner Announcement Today!

Mary Ito

The Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction


Mary Ito to host: 2012 Winner Announcement
TORONTO, March 5, 2012 /CNW/ -  
Monday, March 5 
Reception 11:30 a.m.  │  Luncheon 12:00 p.m.   Winner Announcement 1:30 p.m.
Le Meriden King Edward Hotel
Sovereign Ballroom
37 King Street East, Toronto
Finalists: 
Wade Davis        Charlotte Gill        JJ Lee        Madeline Sonik      Andrew Westoll
CBC radio broadcaster Mary Ito (Fresh Air) will host this year's Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction.  The annual book award is presented by RBC Wealth Management; with major support from Windfields Farm.   Media partners are CNW Group, CBC Books, The Globe and Mail, The Huffington Post, Maclean's and Quill & Quire.  In-Kind Sponsors are: Ben McNally Books, Event Source, Indigo Books and Music, Kobo Canada Inc., The International Festival of Authors (IFOA) and Le Meridien King Edward Hotel.
To view the event LIVE on March 5th at 1:30 p.m. ET via webcast click on the following link:
To host the live webcast on your website, have your webmaster use the embed code in the following PDF - [see below]. The stream will begin ten minutes prior to the start of the event, but can be placed on your site before this time. The title, date, and time of the event will show in the iframe until the stream starts, at which point the video window will automatically replace the text. If you have difficulties embedding the code your webmaster can call 1-877-377-1234 and ask for a Multimedia Producer to help.
PDF with caption: "Embed Code". PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/03/01/20120301_C9022_DOC_EN_10670.pdf
*Working media are welcome to cover. Limited seating. Please indicate if seating required by Thursday, March 1st.  Greenroom lunch available for video/film crews.

For further information: Media are requested to confirm their attendance with Stephen Weir & Associates:

Stephen Weir:
416-489-5868
cell: 416-801-3101
stephen@stephenweir.com

Linda Crane:
905-257-6033
cell: 416-727-0112
cranepr@cogeco.ca