http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl? http://www.eblah.com en http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1364327804/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1364327804/#num1 Our Marty Forbes is doing a comparison on his facebook page about cable/internet on both sides of the border, here in Edmonton and his winter home in Chandler, Arizona...


         Marty Forbes

A nice note from COX Cable in Arizona today - increasing my already lightening fast US modem speed: "Your download speeds are now up to 25 Mbps, and we've also increased your upload speeds up to 5 Mbps." (Or about 200% faster than my Shaw speed for the same price!)



.]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:56:44 Voice Over http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1360563160/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1360563160/#num1 Forbes:
Tackling obesity


  
By Marty Forbes
  
     February 10th, 2013

I don’t cover a ton of controversial topics in this column but one has been forefront with me over the past few years and that is “obesity.” It’s obvious...we’re getting fatter — we’re not in as good shape as we should be and even worse “obesity in children has ‘tripled’ in the last 30 years;”

Food portions are bigger than ever; many fast food restaurants ‘biggie size’ allready highly fattening food/drinks and kids are getting less and less physical exercise these days. It’s an epidemic and we all should be more aware of this issue and start to be more cognizant of the problems of obesity.

The one bit of good news though is that....Obesity is preventable.

Jeff Krushell, who produces the Krush Performance Show on Team 1260 Radio has been studying the topic for the past few years and is pleased to announce that his program will be doing a major project in studying obesity and it’s related health issues starting on the Feb.  20th edition of the show and throughout the following month.

Jeff knows of which he speaks — as a strength and conditioning consultant with MLB International and formerly worked for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Throughout this series he has talked to some of the most knowledgeable experts in the field from all over North America who can shine some light on what we need to do to stop the epidemic ‘now.’

Jeff adds: “I started talking to people and then started tracking down people “in the know” and it was perfectly clear that we had to share what we were hearing.

We have talked about obesity on the show in the past but the situation has gone from bad to worse and I want to know why can’t we kick it, what are the true causes? If you look at the steady increase in weight gain, I just can’t buy that a lack of exercise and bad diet are solely responsible. There are factors at work we know, yes exercise, yes diet, yes genetics but something still just does not add up.”

The show runs Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m.; and again Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. and you can access a podcast of the show at krushperformance.com.

Jeff adds: “I hope you can tune in Feb. 20 into mid March to our as we dig deep to get some answers and more importantly some solutions.”

New vs Traditional media. The media world is changing rapidly as traditional media adapts to growth in new media.

On Feb. 21st, Canadian Women in Communication (CWC) presents “50 Shades of Communication” — a luncheon featuring several of Edmonton’s ‘leaders’ in radio, television, print and now ‘digital.’ I’m pleased to have been invited to be on the panel with many of my media peers and it should be a vibrant discussion and certainly of interest to anybody who studies or is involved in the media of any sorts. Details are: Thursday, Feb. 21, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at the Chateau Nova Yellowhead at 13920 Yellowhead Trail. Registration and lunch reception is from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion.

Check the CWC Edmonton website for full information.



http://www.edmontonsun.com/2013/02/08/forbes-tackling-obesity


.]]> Sun, 10 Feb 2013 22:12:40 Voice Over http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1359400125/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1359400125/#num1 Forbes:
Joe FM gets reFRESHing makeover


         By Marty Forbes
        
             January 28th, 2013

The one thing about media that it is certain that ‘change is constant’ — and the radio station that I launched for Maclean-Hunter way back in 1982 (known as CJAX FM) has evolved into several various formats with a few different owners. Most recently “JOE FM” — it has now become FRESH FM.

Program director in charge of the station, Greg Johnson, now owned by Corus adds: “We’ve been having a blast connecting with new and longtime 92.5 listeners. I think there’s a genuine appreciation for our approach to contemporary radio in the region. Fresh FM has the distinction of targeting adults; focusing on real slice of life moments and honest interaction. There has been tremendous positive feedback regarding our talent remaining through the format change. We have a winning team both on and off the air and we are truly excited to build and grow The New 925 Fresh FM.”

Likely happy with the change, as it will help them, is The Bear, K97 and Sonic — male oriented stations. Likely not all that happy, Rawlco’s Now FM, Virgin and Bounce.

Corus Edmonton also just held their annual Stollery Radiothon last week and tallied another $1.25 million for the Children’s Hospital. The stations virtually ‘shut down’ their normal formats for a two-day period and listeners pledges are gathered during the broadcast ‘live’ from the hospital. Having done these for several years I know for a fact the impact is ‘huge’ and this kind of cash is hard to raise in other methods these days so kudos again to the staff at Corus.

Speaking of The Bear congrat’s to Scott McCord who vacates afternoon drive at The Bear to move to another Astral Bear, this one in Ottawa, as morning man. Scott is one of the most ‘likeable’ guys in the business and I’m happy for him — enjoy brother!

In other big news Newcap, which owns Edmontons K97, Capital FM, CFCW and stations in virtually every town in Alberta, is now ‘for sale.’ The owners in Newfoundland informed the employees in a memo this week. Let the speculation begin but with consolodation over the past several years, and current CRTC rules, ‘few’ buyers qualify for the chain — at least in buying it en masse — so it is likely some of the stations will be sold off to various other buyers. (32 radio stations/2 TV stations).

We are also awaiting the next evolution of the Bell buying Astral Media story too after their first unsuccessful application to the CRTC last fall. So, as I said “change is constant” and many of your favourite radio stations in town could be changing hands over the next year or so in town.

We also await the launch of “The ONE”[/] in Leduc, a brand new country FM station...testing should be underway shortly with a launch not that far behind.

On Jan. 31, well-known Edmonton media pal [b]Kimberly Dickie and her new company Marketing RX will present an exclusive “Sip Social” for marketing and business professionals featuring Steve Jones, author of the highly-acclaimed marketing book Brand Like A Rock Star. Steve is a former Edmontonian and a radio veteran with over 20 years in the industry; now currently the VP of Programming for Newcap. Since the release of his book, Jones has been featured in USA Today, Fast Company, Rolling Stone and has made special guest appearances on countless radio shows and business podcasts across North America.follow. The event takes place at the River Cree Casino January 31st 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $49.99, available at http://www.sipsocial.ca

App world. I don’t mean to steal any of the Edmonton Sun’s Linda Hoang’s thunder as our Social Media specialist but if you have an iPhone, or iPad you might want to check out the Press Reader app. It’s a great way to read not only the Sun but newspapers from around the world. It has several great options PLUS you can subscribe for a month (Less than $5 bucks) and buy individual copies (99 cents) of other National and International papers.

Penny for your thoughts? I put money into the Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation coin collectors coffers because I ‘know’ they do an amazing job of running those kids camps and especially with one right in our backyard in the Kanaskis area. I state this because once the Canadian penny stops production that fund will be impacted. Imagine how many pennies go into that can across the country every year — so very simply — next time you’re in for a cup of Java or Timbits, drop some coins in to help cut that loss down. Forget the pennies — go loonies, twonies or folding stuff please and thanks.

Finally, a quick hospital story. We’ve all heard horror stories about the American health system but two weeks ago I took Mrs. F to the emergency ward at a Phoenix hospital. Check in time was one minute; They have ‘free’ valet parking; free wifi throughout the entire hospital; and a conceirge person took care of ‘everything’ for us while we were being attended to by the Doctor. Total time — 2 1/2 hours in-out. Cost handled by having the proper insurance coverage.


http://www.edmontonsun.com/2013/01/25/forbes-joe-fm-gets-refreshing-makeover


.]]> Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:08:45 Voice Over http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1356405641/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1356405641/#num1
http://www.santasanonymous.ca/who-we-are/and-a-creature-was-stirring]]> Mon, 24 Dec 2012 19:20:41 Marty Forbes http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1355858062/ http://www.pugetsoundradio.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1355858062/#num1 Name dropping at Christmas Time


QMI Agency file photo


By Marty Forbes

  Published: Friday December 15, 2012

First and foremost: PLEASE support Graham Hicks and the Edmonton Sun Adopt a Teen program. I know there are ‘lots’ of great projects to support at this time of the year but this one is truly special and most worthy. The donation link is found here: http://www.adoptateenedmonton.ca

Next my 2012 “Good, Bad and Ugly list” is:

Good: Paul McCartney, Heritage Fest, Bluesfest, Big Valley Jamboree, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal, Hallsy — Eb’s — Nuge — Yak — and soon to be Shultz, What the Truck, Start Up Edmonton, the New CKUA building, Jerry Forbes Centre, Santas Anonymous, Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree, and Ricky Ray wins the Grey Cup.

Bad: Ricky Ray wins the Grey Cup — “in Toronto”, endless summer road work, media layoffs/restructuring, U of A robbery/killings, too many companies with large of-shore businesses, the endless New downtown Arena debate, and Big Telco’s/Cable co’s “customer service” departments.

Ugly: Snow, Mrs Forbes breaking her leg, losing the mighty Duke, Graves Disease, the NHL lockout, the Eskimos season, the Sylvan Lake twitter stalker, political ‘conflict’ here there and anywhere, and drinking and driving so PLEASE Don’t!

Name dropping

Just a few of the ‘great’ people I spent quality time with this past year and/or people who do great work for the community include:

Karl Stark, Julianna Veldtman, John Cameron, Steve Baker, George Smith, Mike Steger, Cathy Gabucci, Kelly Walter, Terry Evans, Duane Vinneau, Steve Hogle, Bruce Hogle, Stew McDonald, Debbie Walker, KJ, Donna James, Daryl Hooke, Len Theusen, Daryl McIntyre, Lloyd-Lisanne Lewis, Gord Steinke, the “TWO Tamara’s” Plante/Konrad, Jerry Korchinksi, Brian/Kathy Norrie, Gary Peruzzini, Kim Kane, Tom/Laurel Luzzi, Bryn/Magharita Griffiths, John Caputo, Tommy Banks, Bud Steen, Ken Regan, John Dunham, John Yerxa, Dean/Sue Heuman, Russell Keddle, Barry Archer, my incredible ladies Kim, Lauren and Rayanne, and my multi talented brothers Gord and Gerry, and of course the Family Lawyer Neil Sheehy.

I value true friendship and family above all. I salute those that work to make Edmonton a better city!

Finally a big ‘thank you’ to the University of Alberta Hospital for their assistance with my wife Kim’s broken leg. That is a great facility with an amazing staff - and you made her stay much more comfortable than we thought possible!

NEW KING

The latest radio Bureau of Broadcast Measures (BBM) ratings came out last week and there’s a new ‘king of the castle.’

NOW FM (Rawlco) currently wears the crown for the “most listened to radio station in Edmonton” followed by NewsTalk 630 CHED and Capital FM (Newcap). NOW FM signed on just three years ago and has steadily moved up the rankings to this first time ever #1 position for the radio station.

102.3 NOW! radio Program Director Mark Hunter says: “We’re thrilled with how Edmonton has welcomed in our first three years on the air. Thank you so much to The NOW! Family.”

The figures released last week are the ‘averages’ over the last three months time frame.

The rankings are determined on your ‘share’ of the overall hours of tuning to radio in the market.

I’m desert bound...Merry Christmas!


http://www.edmontonsun.com/2012/12/14/forbes-my-good-bad-and-ugly-list

.]]> Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:14:22 Radioman