Panel Discussion: What pop culture’s current science fiction obsession

FREE EVENT AT TORONTO'S SCIENCE CENTRE

Using the POPnology exhibition as a springboard, an expert panel examines what  pop culture’s current science fiction obsession – Black Panther, The Handmaid’s Tale, Westworld, Black Mirror – tells us about society’s hopes, fears and desires about the future.  PANEL  Madeline Ashby, science fiction writer and futurist Trevor Haldenby, speculative designer and futurist James Hobson (The Hacksmith), engineer and prototype designer Sharon Lewis, director and actor Marc Saltzman, technology expert and moderator

Thought-provoking discussion & debate + interactive & informative exhibitionDon't miss out on this two-for-one evening! Wednesday, June 20 6:00 p.m. - 10 p.m. | POPnology open 7:00 p.m. | Auditorium open 7:30 p.m. | Great ConversationsRSVP to Andrea Mus by June 19.

Red Bull parachutist drops in to Toronto's Science Centre

High Flying Celeb, Felix Baumgartner, opens new exhibition 

Austrian parachutist Felix Baumgarter dropped into the Ontario Science Centre yesterday in a very ho-hum way - through the front door. Not known for pedestrian entrances, the Austrian daredevil let an exciting new exhibition do all his talking at a media launch yesterday.
With a passion for expanding boundaries, especially in the air, Red Bull Stratos pilot Felix Baumgartner is an expert parachutist best known for jumping from a high altitude balloon at the edge of the earth’s atmosphere three years ago.

Photo by George Socka - Beach Digital

Wearing only a spacesuit, and 10 minutes of oxygen on his back, Baumgartner stepped out from the balloon’s capsule and accelerated to Mach 1.25 in just 50 seconds before parachuting to the ground. His mission set records and also delivered valuable scientific data, serving to further the progress of aerospace safety, including the development of protocols for exposure to high altitude and supersonic acceleration and deceleration.
The story of his accomplishment is part of a new exhibition at the Science Centre. The Red Bull Stratos exhibit opened yesterday and closes January 11, 2016.
Felix, born April 20, 1969, grew up in Salzburg, Austria where he dreamed of skydiving and flying helicopters and was inspired by astronauts on TV. He made his first skydive at age 16. Eager to test the limits, Felix set a record for history's lowest BASE jump (from Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue), twice set world records for the highest BASE jump from a building (Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and Taipei 101 tower), and even landed his canopy inside a cave in Croatia. He is also famous for completing an unprecedented freefall flight across the English Channel using a carbon wing!
Photographer George Socka took this picture of Art Thompson (left) and Felix Baumgartner.  They are standing in front of the Red Bull Stratos capsule at the Science Centre. Thompson was the technical project director on the expedition and Felix Baumgartner, the pilot and parachutist.

George Socka reported on Baugarter's appearance in Toronto at the Ontario Science Centre in this YouTube clip
https://youtu.be/2WOqCHejpoc

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival's Media Launch Approaches

SAVE THAT DATE - FOR MEDIA THAT COVER SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival will have its 2014 Media Launch, May 22, 2014. 11.30 am to 12.45 pm, at the Ontario Science Centre. Changes in Parade. New Events. New Locations. Calypso performance. Mas models in costumes.  More info next week.

Muppets, Puppets and Buckets Of Mucus at the Science Centre

Where in the world is Dr Jay?

William Doyle-Marshall interviews Dr. Jay and Dr. Julielynn Wong

Today he was at the Ontario Science Centre. Pictured, radio host William Doyle-Marshall interviews medical doctor Julielynn Wong and her puppet Dr. Jay. The two doctors were taking part in a special media family day at the Science Centre -- they were talking to the media and their children about public health care issues during their visit to a new children's health exhibition at the Toronto facility.

Julielynn Wong is a Harvard-educated, award-winning physician and journalist. Dr. Wong trained in public health and preventive medicine and serves on faculty at Singularity University, where she co-founded the Health and Wellness Program. She is a blogger for Huffington Post.

And Dr Jay?  Dr Wong says he is originally from New York City and now lives in a large suitcase here in Toronto. Dr. Jay will have his radio debut on William Doyle-Marshall's CHYR-fm show this Tuesday (spoiler alert - Dr Jay isn't much for radio -- he lets Dr Wong do all the talking).

The media family day was in conjunction with The Science Centre's newly opened exhibition -- the Body -- which is being stage in concert with the long running Sesame Street TV Show. 

Created by Sesame Workshop, Sesame Street Presents: The Body is an engaging, free-flowing learning experience set in the fun, familiar and reassuring world of Sesame Street. The Muppets anchor an exciting collection of interactive multimedia experiences that allow children to study the human body and learn how to keep it healthy. Each exhibit area has multiple activities to provide exciting, age-appropriate learning opportunities for children at a variety of developmental levels. The exhibition emphasizes scientific investigation and developmental learning goals for children ranging from two to eight years old.

From big, squishy noses to fuzzy, furry feet, Sesame Street Presents: The Body allows children to learn about the human body from the inside out. Pictured is a giant nose and a bucket of mucus - all part of an interactive display within the Body exhibition.

More Pictures From the Media Family Day Are Posted At: http://www.stephenweir.com/gallery1/index.php/Body-exhibition-has-a-media-family-day-at-the-Science-Centre

Jim Kozmik to speak at the Great White Shark Night!!!!

HOW TO TURN A YOU TUBE VIDEO INTO A STARRING ROLE IN A BIG BUDGET IMAX FEATURE

I recently spoke on the phone from Switzerland with Canadian free-diving champion William Winram. We talked about how he helps scientists studying sharks by sticking tracking devices into the fins of Great White Sharks. He does it by free-diving - no scuba tanks, no chain mail suits, no cages and no defence weapons used - with these massive dangerous fish.

While he and his free-diving friends swam with the Great White Sharks, he managed to capture many of the underwater encounters on video. He used an inexpensive Go Pro camera to create a YouTube movie about people who swim without protection to tag Great White Sharks in the waters off Mexico's western coast. That video caused such a stir amongst the dive community that an American IMAX film crew, who had just wrapped up filming a new 3-D movie about Great White Sharks, travelled to a dive show in England to meet Winram and to look at this footage.

So impressed were the movie makers that they decided to restart filming using Winram and two fellow free-divers as the stars! The results speak for themselves. The new Imax Great White Shark movie is playing in Imax theatres across North America. It is currently showing in Toronto at the Ontario Science Centre.

Next Saturday night December 7th, the Science Centre is holding a benefit night screening for the Ontario Science Centre! Along with the new movie, my friend and underwater videographer Jim Kozmik and TV show producer Danny Mauro will screen a show they shot with Great White sharks in the same waters that Winram swam in!

Join me, Jimmy, Danny and the OUC for an Evening with Sharks on December 7th, 2013! Sure to be a fun-filled evening with guest speakers, raffles, great giveaways, refreshments and more. You might even win a Blackbeard's cruise or a Cayman Islands holiday! Book today at https://secure.e-registernow.com/cgi-bin/mkpayment.cgi?state=697

Evening with Sharks

Saturday, December 7 at 7:00pm

Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, Ontario

Great White Shark Gets Wet Welcome To Toronto

Great big launch for IMAX Great White Shark

Ontario Underwater Council's Scuba Demonstration Tank in Front Of Ontario Science Centre

It was a shark frenzy of activity at the Ontario Science Centre today as the Toronto public attraction gets ready for Tuesday's launch of the new Imax Movie - Great White Shark. 

The Science Centre is working with the Ontario Underwater Council to have a memorable one-day debut for the film. Pictured, two huge film banners are hung outside of the Science Centre. In the top picture you can see the banner behind a portable diving tank. 

Members of the Underwater Council (OUC) will be inside the tank most of tomorrow demonstrating how to scuba dive as part of the Science Centre's Media Day.

Prior to filling the tank, OUC president Rick Le Blanc (right) climbed inside and cleaned the viewing window.  The Association represents the rights and needs of over 200,000 active scuba divers in the province. 

Although there are only a few species of sharks native to Ontario waters (in Hudson Bay), many Ontario scuba divers travel south to swim and photograph sharks. 

Three years in the making, Great White Shark takes viewers around the world to see the large sharks in their natural habitat.

“Our mission is to change people’s attitudes toward the great white,” said Steve McNicholas, co-director of the film. “It’s not the menacing, evil predator it’s made out to be. It’s simply performing its crucial role at the top of the ocean’s food chain.  Great whites are not monsters any more than the polar bears or lions that we revere.”  

Shark Banner Outside IMAX theatre

 Distributed by Giant Screen Films, Great White Shark is produced by Yes/No Productions and Liquid Pictures 3D. It is narrated by acclaimed stage and film actor Bill Nighy.

 

The Award for Innovation in Mas

Goes to ‘The Hyper-Physical Being’

Toronto, ON (August 2, 3013) – With its ambiguous coils unraveling outwards and colourful wings reaching upwards, “The Hyper-Physical Being” is the winner of the Ontario Science Centre’s Award for Innovation in Mas presented last night at the King and Queen Competition at Lamport stadium. The spectacular creation was designed and built by Danzo Balroop and the team at Louis Saldenah’s Mas-K club.

The judging panel was made up of Walter Stoddard and Bernie Hillar of the Ontario Science Centre’s Science Content and Design Branch, and Dr. Marsha Haynes, Medical Liaison for Merck Canada, who participated in many carnivals in her native Trinidad.

“Tremendous research, problem-solving, experimentation and collaboration were clearly displayed at every camp we visited in the days leading up to the competition,” said Walter Stoddard. “’The Hyper–Physical Being’ incorporates structurally-challenging elements using twisted and coiled masts and rods, adding an element of complexity that made it stand apart.”

The annual Award goes to the Mas designer who best demonstrates the application of problem-solving, risk-taking and inspiration. The costume must show innovation in the use of materials, mechanics and engineering that permit movement, flexibility and durability. The award was created in 2010 to put a spotlight on the science of Mas, drawing attention to the processes involved in costume-making and recognizing the scientific merit of the engineers of these creative masterpieces.

About the Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre delights, informs and challenges the communities we serve, enriching people’s lives and understanding through engagement with science of local, national and global relevance. Since 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has welcomed over 45 million visitors, with an interactive approach that was the model for Science Centres around the world. It is the public centre for innovative thinking and provocative dialogue in science and technology, aiming to inspire a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery and action to create a better future for the planet. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Please visit us at www.ontariosciencecentre.ca

About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. In its 45th year it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Carnival is an international cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis of Toronto and its environs will come alive as the city explodes with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Hip Hop, Chutney, Steel Pan and Brass Bands. For complete listing information, visit www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

Scotiabank Extends its Title Sponsorship of Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival for three years

The 46^th Annual Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival returns with improvements to the Grand Parade route and an expanded list of events

Images from the May 21st Media Launch for the Carnival
Top - Pooja Handa CP 24
left - singer Dan Hill
right MPP Laura Albanese

May 28, 2013  (Toronto) The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival kicked off today with music and dancing at the Ontario Science Centre.  MPP Laura Albanese, (York South-Weston) Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport helped unveil the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival 2013 campaign this morning. 

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival will run from July 9, 2013 to August 4, 2013, and once again bring the culture of the Caribbean to over a million spectators in downtown Toronto. The public launch will take place on July 9, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at Toronto's Nathan Phillip's Square, where dancers, musicians, and calypso singers will get the city into the Carnival spirit.

"The funding from our sponsors means that the Festival can continue to deliver new and exciting events again this year,” said Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival CEO Denise Herrera-Jackson.  “We are changing how the big parade will be run due to the construction on the CNE grounds which will give more opportunities for spectators inside the park grounds to see our colourful parade.  Once again, funds raised at our events will be donated to four community charities – The Children's Breakfast Club, The Caribbean Children's Foundation, Prostate Cancer Canada and Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario.”

“In 2008, we became title sponsor of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival -- the largest North American Caribbean festival of its kind.  I’m proud to say that once again, Scotiabank has extended our partnership for another three years,” said Christine Williams, Scotiabank Vice President, Toronto East District. “This partnership started an exciting new chapter for Scotiabank because the Caribbean is where the Bank’s international story began.”

“For the fourth year, we are happy to sponsor the Ontario Science Centre Innovative Costume Award which recognizes innovation in costume design,” said Lesley Lewis, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre. “There’s a foundation of science behind the beauty and creativity of each and every costume. From the mathematics involved in the design, the physics involved in how the costumes move to the mechanics and engineering involved in the structural integrity for the larger, more elaborate pieces.”

The Toronto waterfront Carnival parade, taking place on August 3rd, is expected to draw over a million people down to Toronto’s CNE grounds. This year the staging area for the 16,000 costumed masqueraders and floats is being moved to the north-end of the CNE property.  The parade will travel the width of the CNE grounds before entering Lakeshore Blvd, giving the festival more space to accommodate spectators.

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival events include:

• Junior Carnival Parade - July 20, 2013: The first big event, the Junior Carnival Parade, will take place at Downsview Park. In 2012, over 2,500 children performed for the judges and played Mas along the streets of the Downsview Park. Chevrolet supports the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Junior Carnival Parade.
• Festival Cup Match - July 20, 2013:  Sport fans will want to watch the Canadian Rugby League take on the Jamaica Rugby League at Lamport Stadium. This is the third year for the Festival match – the Canadian team remains undefeated. Game starts at 7:00 p.m.
• NEW FREE EVENT: The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Summertime BBQ JULY 25,  2013: Food, Soca music, costumes, and Moko Jumbies at the Eglinton Square Shopping Centre (Eglinton East / Victoria Park).
• The Annual Gala - July 26, 2013: The Annual Gala, a formal wear party to honour the rich history of the festival and to sample the Caribbean arts, will take place at the Liberty Grand Ballroom on the CNE grounds.
• Monarch Contest - July 28, 2013 Ontario’s best Calypso performers compete to see who will wear the crown as this country’s top Calypso singer. Evening competition to be held at the Chinese Cultural Centre’s P C Ho Theatre in Scarborough.
• The King and Queen Contest - August 1, 2013: This nighttime event showcases the elaborate costumes, which will be worn by the Kings and Queens in the Grand Parade. Due to overwhelming demand, the seating for Lamport Stadium is being increased to accommodate spectators at this year’s King And Queen competition.
• Pan Alive - August 2, 2013: Pan Alive is the largest outdoor steel pan orchestra competition in North America.  Over a dozen orchestras from Ontario and Quebec will compete in an evening battle of the bands at Lamport Stadium.
• THE GRAND PARADE - August 3, 2013: Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Blvd. 10am – 6pm. Rain or Shine!
• Beyond Lime August 4, 2013: Music. Food. Performances. Traditional end to the Caribbean festival.

About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, and revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 46th year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Carnival is an international cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis of Toronto and its environs will come alive as the city explodes with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney, Steel Pan and Brass Bands. The Festival Management Committee oversees the running of North America's largest outdoor festival.

Corporate sponsors of this year's festival include: Scotiabank, Chevrolet, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Eglinton Square Mall, and the Liberty Grand.

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 $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival's official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608;

Email: info@torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

For media inquires:

Stephen Weir

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist

Phone 416-489-5868

Cell: 416-801-3101

Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Sheena Findlay

Scotiabank

Cell: 647-628-3501

Email: Sheena.findlay@scotiabank.com

A Publicist's prayer two days before his BIG press conference

To the PR Gods up there in the always blue skies

All knowing Creators (take your pick), please please please don't forget I have a presser on Tuesday morning. It is a good news conference at the Science Centre in Toronto; it is all about the coming Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival. You know, new programmes, new supporters, exciting events and of course calypso singing, pan music and lotsa people in Mas costumes.

It should be a winner, a lot of positive RSVPs so far. But you know it has been a strange news week here in the Big Smoke, and I am going to need some Divine Intervention to keep the media's eyes on my PR fries!  So:

• Please make Rob Ford keep off CFRB and stay at his cottage until after the last costume has been shown.
• Please make sure no more Somalian drug dealers offer to sell any more cell phone videos until after the steel pans have been loaded back onto the truck.
• Please make sure Premier Wynn doesn't fire anyone until the last Calypso song has been sung.
• Please make sure Stephen Harper doesn't decide to talk to the media about Mike Duffy until he is in South America on Wednesday.
• Please make sure Stephen Harper doesn't decide to talk about today departure of  Nigel Wright (the $90,000 cheque writing chief of staff) until he is in South America on Wednesday.
• Please don't let Andrea Horwath force an election on Tuesday  (or for that matter not until after our parade is over )

AND FINALLY MY FINE SIRS AND MADAMS, NO MORE EARTHQUAKES!

http://20minutesoffame.blogspot.ca/2013/05/kick-off-press-conference-for.html

MEDIA INVITE TO ATTEND SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL PRESS CONFERENCE

THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

MEDIA LAUNCH FOR SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL IS SET FOR MAY 21st.
Dancers in costume. Speakers. Important news about the Festival. Pan artistes.
Ontario Science Centre
Free Parking

BTW: Actual presser from 11.45 to 12.20.
You must RSVP with me: stephen@stephenweir.com

Was it only a year ago that you never saw an I-Pad at a media event?

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STEPHEN JOBS' DEVICES  HAVE CHANGED HOW PROFESSIONALS STAGE PRESS CONFERENCES FOR THE ARTS IN TORONTO THESE DAYS 

The day of cameramen staying off stage are over - OSC presser

Last month when the Ontario Science Centre (OSC) held a media launch for an exhibition of miniature working models of some of Leonardo da Vinci's greatest inventions, Massimiliano Lisa, curator of the traveling show, dedicated the day to the memory of Stephen Job. Lisa (no relation to Mona) compared the game changing genius of Da Vinci to the intellect of the recently departed head of Apple.
The room full of science geeks agreed with the visiting curator. Little did they know how much Stephen Jobs has changed how PR people like me stage media events – including the event they were at.
In the old days - a year ago - there was a certain never-stray-from blue print for the physical set-up of a press event. The appearance at pressers of the I-Pad, the I-Phone and vastly improved lightweight cameras, video recorders and audio recorders has forced publicists in the non-profit Arts sector to change how media events are set up and run.

BACK  IN 2010: there is a raised well lit stage, a podium (large enough to hold radio tape machines - and at an angle not too acute so they won't slide off), seating for 20, a raised platform for video cameras, a sound board where cameras and audio recorders can plug in and a check-in table where the media can leave their contact numbers and pick up press kits, DVD photo/avi files and small capacity memory sticks loaded with releases and photos. The audio speakers are hidden from view and there are power bars on the floor for the cameras and their lights.

Blogger with baby at CBC Canada Reads launch in Toronto.

NOW IN 2011 as many bloggers and social media journalists are showing up at pressers with Jobs-generation equipment as there are traditional media journalists. And while regular media people tend to travel in packs with bulky power hungry video cameras, a whack of large format cameras, lap tops (for post event editing) and bulky sound recording devices the needs for the social media are completely different. Publicists need publicity, and social media delivers just that ... social media attending events are as important as regular media so changes to the set up of the room have had to be made.

WHERE ARE THE AUDIO SPEAKERS?

At the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, (where I help out) a decision was made several years ago to have the public address speakers in the Great Hall hidden in the ceiling, 10-metres above the stage. The reasoning back then was that media would not record off the speakers but instead would plug into a soundboard to get a direct distortion-free feed from the podium microphones. Audio speakers were seen as a visual distraction.

I-PHONE IS A PORTABLE AUDIO RECORDER FOR MANY REPORTERS

This was a "sound" philosophy back then, but, nowadays it doesn't work that way. Many attendees at press conferences now use I-phones and other smart phone units to record the spoken word. Trouble is, there isn't a universal plug-in size for smart phones and digital recorders to record off those old technology AV sounds boards. Most I-phone journalists now stand as close as they can to event loud speakers and hold their phones like pizzas to record the sound until their arm gives out!

reporter uses IPhone to collect sound bites

I saw this last month at the Art Gallery of Ontario opening of a Marc Chagall painting exhibition. A social media reporter (see photo) wanted audio of the European curators talking about the Marc Chagall exhibition so he stood near the speaker columns and held up his I-phone to get the bits that he needed for his on-line radio show!

PLATFORM FOR CAMERAS NOT AS CROWDED AS IT USED TO BE

The traditional press conference platform for cameras on tripods was important to give unobstructed TV newsroom footage of the speeches. The raised platform gives a clear shot at the stage. Trouble is in 2011, with people using lightweight cameras, the static camera shot is no longer important.
At the Sun traditional photographers are going the way of the reel-to-reel recorder. Reporters are expected shoot stills, video and take notes at pressers. Nowadays reporters, social media practioners and  camera people are everywhere doing everything. Sitting on the floor in front. Standing in the wings. Getting shots from behind the stage.  Sometimes they aren't even in the room depending instead on SKYPE and on-line coverage of the conference (provided by the host of the presser).

SOCIAL MEDIA JOURNALISTS DON'T KNOW THEIR PLACE

Cameraman from mainstream media have to compete with new reporters who have no sense of the old press conference decorum (stay in your seat till the speeches are over) and are prone to wandering on the stage with their cameras in hand. Take a look at the posted photo from the Da Vinci press conference where a CBC TV crew followed a social media camera person and came right up on stage, uninvited, to get a close-up of a musician playing (for the very first time) the Leonardo invention of the Harpsichord-Viola.
And, with more and more reporters using I-Pads to shoot video, there is no need for a tripod. Their shot sequences, because of arm fatigue, tend to be very short. And the best I-Pad video shots are as close as possible to the action. Compare the footprint of an I-Pad reporter and a TV crew at the same AGO presser (for the Marc Chagall exhibition) as pictured below.

In-gallery traditional TV interview

Reporter captures images of Chagall with I-Pad

NOT JUST VIDEO CAMERAS ANYMORE

This summer at the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto parade there were three media outlets using IPads on the parade route compared to none last year! As well, media at the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival (formally known as Caribana), gave up on bulky and expensive digital video cameras and used cheaper Cannon still-cameras to shoot high def video as well as traditional photographs (http://20minutesoffame.blogspot.com/2011/09/we-dont-need-no-stinking-video-cameras.html)

PRESS KITS GOING GOING GONE

Press kits are really just a collection of factoid documents and pictures that tell journalists what they just saw at a media event. They are meant to be used when the reporter returns to the newsroom to write a story. In 2011 some reporters come to events and tweet and blog while the conference is unfolding. By the time they get their press kit - be it in print or on a loaded memory stick – their story has already been filed. That press kit is passé before it has even been opened. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15648554@N05/6312275353/in/photostream)
To make sure media is better informed publicists are now more willing to embargo information so that journalists and their editors are better informed for their instant reportage. (Of course, that means media can decide not to attend press events if the information isn't newsworthy or interesting enough). And, with social media’s demand for live theatre, presser are becoming more male/female show-and-tell events rather than the male dominating talking head pressers of 2010.

REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CHAIRS AND BRING IN THE BAR TABLES

To accommodate this new style instant journalism, press events now are providing several tables (round bar tables are the favoured flavour of the month) to allow social media to work on their I-Pads and I-Books as the presser unfolds. Good-bye chairs and coffee tables. Lighting takes into account that social media can be covering an event from a variety of spots in the room.

MAKE ROOM FOR THE HELMET CAM AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS

Make Room For The Helmet Cam

My son Andrew and I took in the Toronto premier of My Week With Marilyn last week at the Varsity Theatre. Big event. Too many invites sent out, so many people with tickets were turned away. We were two of the lucky ones - and paid for our luck by sitting in the neck craning front row. Our tickets were thanks to McMichael Canadian Art Collection Marilyn Monroe curator Chris Finn. He had assisted with the promotion of the movie by Alliance Films. Always interesting to watch other PR people work their events. At the end of the film the evening's publicist set up director Simon Curtis outside the theatre for a quick interview with a social media reporter. Have no idea who the fellow was, but, he didn't seem to feel silly (nor did Simon Curtis) conducting the interview with his camera/I-Pod mounted on his bike helmet! Photo by Andrew Weir.

NEWSTIME IS BOOZETIME

In the Stephen Jobs world, when you hold a presser depends on who you expect to come. Traditional media like to have news conferences in the late morning or early afternoon Monday to Friday. Rush hour is over and there is time to get the facts and return to the newsroom to file the story before quiting time. No liquor or food is served, but coffee is appreciated.
Now if you are playing to social media, you gotta realize that a lot of these people work during the day at real jobs and can't cover an 11am presser. 6pm is not a bad thing if you are pushing a message to You Tube, Twitter and Facebook auidences! Saturday and Sundays works too.
The Social Media makes for strange bedfellows.  It is not unusual to have a blogger show up at event reporting on-line for foreign websites. There are active journalists reporting in Toronto daily, via their I-Pads to sites in the US, Russia, Iran, India, Pakistan, China, and the Philippines.
BTW:  Bloggers, like me, are self-taught, self-employed and tend to not bother with the ethical and legal worries about accepting free food and liquor. With Twitter people news time is booze time (and bring on that free food).

Photographer from a Phillipine Website photographs former Globe critic (and now curator) Sarah Milroy at AGO opening of Jack Chambers exhbition

JOBS HAS CHANGED EVERYTHING!

This rush to accommodate I-pads and I-phones is not limited to reporters. People holding these media events are using them too!

Launch guests use an IPad to vote for the Grange Prize at the AGO

 At the September launch for the Grange Prize (one of Canada’s larger prize award for photography) Art Gallery of Ontario staff members wandered amongst the public with I-pads.  A ll four short listed artists were there, and a hundred or so attendees drank, noshed on snacks and listened to a music set by DJ Jaime Sin. While enjoying the launch you could check out the artists' work on the circulating I-Pad and vote as to which photographer would win the $50,000 prize.

2010 CALYPSO COMPETITION RESULTS

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Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA)
“KAISO 365” Calypso Monarch Finals

Toronto, ON, Canada: The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) hosted its 2010 “KAISO 365” Calypso Monarch Finals at The Imperial Oil Auditorium, Ontario Science Centre on Saturday, July 24th, 2010. This sold out event saw nine calypsonians compete for the title of OCPA’s 2010 Calypso Monarch.

A panel of qualified, volunteer judges awarded points based on the following criteria: Lyrics (max. 35 points); Melody (20); Rendition (25); Presentation (10); and Originality (10) for a total of 100 points. The order of merit was determined by discarding the highest and the lowest score per contestant. 2010 OCPA Head Judge: Lennox Borel.

The above judging criteria was used for OCPA’s Preliminary, and Final competition(s). The judges’ decision is final, and the Monarch results were announced at the end of the July 24th show. They are as follows:

2010 OPCA Kaiso 365 - Calypso Monarch Results

RANK - NAME (STAGE NAME - SOBRIQUET) - HERITAGE
1st Eulith Tara Woods (MACOMERE FIFI) - Tobagonian-Canadian
2nd Michael Thomas (REDMAN) - Grenadian-Canadian (2009 defending champ)
3rd Bryan Thornhill (STRUCTURE) - Barbadian-Canadian
4th Hamilton Alexander (The WEB) - Trinidadian-Canadian
5th Smokey Burke (SMOKEY) - Barbadian-Canadian
6th Guney Cedeno (GUNEY) - Trinidadian-Canadian
7th Zunaki Tuitt (NAKI) - Trinidadian-Canadian
8th Leslie Carrabon (DeCARRA) - Trinidadian-Canadian
9th Trevor Quammie (PENSHIONER) - Trinidadian-Canadian

In addition to a cash prize of over $5000, Eulith Tara Woods (Macomere Fifi) will receive a trip to London , England for its Notting Hill Carnival, and a trip to Atlanta for its 2011 Georgia Caribbean Carnival.

The 2010 OCPA Kaiso 365 Canadian Calypso Monarch Finals was carried live-to-air on Saturday, July 24th, 2010 on radio locally and worldwide via CHRY 105.5FM (www.chry.fm). Special guest performances were had from Young Rashida, and Akima Paul – 2009 London Calypso Monarch.

Nine other annual, special awards were also announced on Saturday, July 24th, 2010. They included:

BEST LYRICS
“Your Turn to Die” – Winston Maingot and Carlyle Bailey

BEST MELODY
“Your Turn to Die” – Winston Maingot

BEST PRESENTATION
Eulith Tara Woods (Macomere Fifi) for the song “Haiti Will Rise Again”

BEST VOCAL RENDITION
Eulith Tara Woods (Macomere Fifi) for the song “Your Turn to Die”

MOST ORIGINAL CALYPSO
“ Haiti Will Rise Again” – Lyrics by Winston Maingot and Carlyle Bailey; Melody by Winston
Maingot; Sung by Eulith Tara Woods (Macomere Fifi)

BEST COMPOSITION ON A LOCAL TOPIC
“We Watching You” – Lyrics by Bryan Thornhill

MOST HUMOUROUS CALYPSO
“It Ain’t Right” – Lyrics by Kenny Quammie; Melody by Mathew John; Arranged by Kenny
Quammie & Mathew John; Sung by Trevor Quammie (Penshioner)

BEST ARRANGEMENT
“ Haiti Will Rise Again” – Winston Maingot

PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Eulith Tara Woods (Macomere Fifi)

The "Kaiso 365" Calypso Monarch competition is presented by the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA), a non-profit arts organization (www.ocpacalypsoca.com). OCPA is a cultural presenting partner in the annual Scotiabank Caribana Festival (www.caribanafestival.com).

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Media Contacts:

Stephen Weir
Stephen Weir & Associates
Tel: 416-801-3101
Email: stephen@stephenweir.com

Black History Month Exhibition at the Ontario Science Centre thanks to Tourism Toronto

A Black History Month exhibition about the people by the people missed by the people's mainstream media

It wasn't for a lack of trying on the part of Tourism Toronto, the Ontario Science Centre and me (Stephen Weir) that there was a dearth of mainstream media at a special launch of a Black History Month exhibition on Tuesday morning.
Wire Releases. Press Releases. Faxes. Tweets. Facebook postings. Personal Phone calls.The word went out but only the Caribbean Canadian media (Caribbean Camera, Pride, Share, Indo-Caribbean World and CHYRfm), a Chinese Daily newspaper and a Russian / Canadian web TV service came out to take part in the media preview of opening of the special exhibition, "Northern Lights: African- Canadian Stories" curated by Toronto historian Dr. Sheldon Taylor.
What was going on? Tourism Toronto and the Ontario Science Centre are presenting this month a salute to Toronto's rich Black heritage via an exhibition at the Ontario Science Centre. Over 55 artifacts and photos will be on display tracing the region's earliest African-Canadian families back 10 generations.
David Whitaker, President and CEO and Tourism Toronto opened the preview. Speaking to a small group of family members of the Crowley, Newby and Downes families (early African-Canadian Toronto families) and a handful of reporters, Whitaker talked about how Toronto has become a destination for Black travel - various black based US professional conferences will be held in Toronto over the next three years.
This particular exhibition, modest in scope, will not attract tourists to Toronto (it couldn't attract ANY interest from the Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, the Globe and Mail, the National Post, CBC, CTVm CFRB, News 680. Well it is a really long list of people who didn't consider the show opening newsworthy). What it does do is show that Tourism Toronto is willing to support Toronto's black community with funding and marketing/PR support.
The exhibition is located in the Proctor & Gamble Great Hall within the Ontario Science Centre. Visitors flocking to see the popular Body Worlds 3 touring exhibition will pass right past the "Northern Lights: African- Canadian Stories" - so the show will get more eyes now that the show is open than the mainstream media got during the Tuesday launch.

CUTLINE: Two cameras capture the opening of a new Black History Month exhibition. From left to right: Arthur Downes (standing in front of a picture of himself taken when he was a young man), Science Centre head Lesley Lewis, Curator Dr. Sheldon Taylor, David Whitaker (CEO Tourism Toronto), David Oglivie (chair of Tourism Toronto board)

Award winning reporter Ron Fanfair covered the opening of the "Northern Lights: African- Canadian Stories"exhibtion.

Media Launch: Toronto Black History Month Exhibition at Science Centre

MEDIA ADVISORY
Media preview of special Toronto Black History Month exhibition
at Ontario Science Centre

Tourism Toronto and the Ontario Science Centre are presenting a salute to Toronto’s rich Black heritage via an exhibition at the Ontario Science Centre. Over 55 artifacts and photos will be on display tracing the region’s earliest African-Canadian families back 10 generations.
What: Official opening of special exhibition, "Northern Lights: African-Canadian Stories” - curated by Toronto historian Dr. Sheldon Taylor. This exhibition runs until March 2.
Who: David Whitaker, President and CEO, Tourism Toronto
Lesley Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Science Centre
Councillor Michael Thompson, City of Toronto
Dr. Sheldon Taylor, Historian and Exhibition Curator
Members of the Crowley, Newby and Downes families (early African-
Canadian Toronto families)
When: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:00 a.m.
Where: Procter & Gamble Great Hall, Ontario Science Centre
Directions: 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Event takes place in the Procter & Gamble Great Hall,
please park in visitor lot.

For more information contact:
Cathy Riches
Tourism Toronto
416-987-9077
criches@torcvb.com
Ellen Flowers
Ontario Science Centre
416-696-3154
ellen.flowers@osc.on.ca

Issued by Stephen Weir & Associates for Tourism Toronto and the Ontario Science Centre

PR Past Taints Harry Potter Story For Torontoist

.

I recently attended a press conference at the Ontario Science Centre. The occasion? A glitzy expensive pre-launch for the upcomingHarry Potter Exhibition.
I like attending public sector press conferences - it keeps me in touch with what is going on in the city and I stay up-to-date on current PR practices. Like everything else, the business of press conferences is rapidly evolving. In years gone by (try 2008) an art gallery or museum opening consisted of press kits, speakers, a couple of examples of art/artifacts and a cuppa coffee (evening events usually includes boxed wine and carrot sticks). In late 2009 it is: cue the smoke machines, fly in the international speakers and hand out bags of swag worthy of a minor league film festival. No one likes to spend money on a press conference but, as the story I eventually wrote about the Harry Potter exhibition reports, Toronto pressers have gone Hollywood because PR departments believe it is the only way to guarantee results.
While at the Harry Potter presser I took attendance (and pictures).
Noting that the Toronto Sun was the only newspaper not there, I went back to my office and wrote a story on the launch. I decided to write a news piece about how the bar has been raised for public sector pressers, and offer it to the Sun (since they weren't there).
I was a bit delayed by other (paying) jobs, so it was late that day that I finally got the piece over to their city editor Antonella Artuso -- it was very close to their deadline. Didn't hear back (the Sun's way of saying no). The next day when my Sun arrived, I saw a very small Harry Potter Science Centre story that had been cobbled together from the Science Centre's press kit.
I then sent the story and pictures over to the popular news website, the Torontoist. They had looked at another one of my stories, liked it, but said I had sent it in to late. So, this time, less than 24 hours after the press conference I delivered my piece along with three pictures and cutlines.
The initial response I got was good, they wanted to run it. However, a few hours after they showed strong interest I received a second email from their freelance review editor, Ashley Carter,questioning the story. Here is what she wrote: "The piece is good, but I have to ask (considering your PR background & our need to be obnoxiously careful with these things), do you work with the Science Centre?"
It has been a couple of years since I last did any work for the Science Centre, so, I was a little surprised that I wasn't passing their PR smell test. This wasn't a fawning fluff piece -- in the museum world my story isn't all together positive. CEOs of government owned museums and galleries don't usually like to be quoted trolling for ticket sales. As well there is the whole issue of home-grown Canadian shows versus big box / big dollar American travelling exhibitions raging through the museum/gallery community right now. The article might be seen as being quietly critical of Ontario's Ministry of Culture buying into an exhibition heavy on US/UK movie sets and light on Canadian content.
I have had stories rejected because they didn't "fit" or were too long, or didn't read well, or there wasn't the budget, but, this is the first time in decades of freelance writing that I have not had a story printed because I do PR work to pay the bills.
As they say these days, "No Worries". I have my own soapbox to post things on (but www.stephenweir.com gets a dozen readers daily compared to Torontoist's thousands of daily readers). So, below is Mugging for the Media Muggles, the unedited story that the Sun passed on and the (non-paying) Torontoist rejected.
http://20minutesoffame.blogspot.com/2009/12/with-one-wave-of-harry-potterss-wand-pr.html
Cutline: Top: An Ontario Science Centre official fields questions from two different TV crews at the pre-launch press conference for next year's Harry Potter exhibition.Below: Freelance writer (and PR guy) Stephen Weir. Photo taken at the Toronto Market following the Harry Potter press conference (David Tollington).