As October draws to a close, we are celebrating a milestone month for Village Media. 🎉
An acquisition, a site launch and a revolutionary approach to social media were some of the significant projects tackled during the last month.
Our latest Bulletin takes a moment to celebrate our accomplishments during a period of growth and success.
Village moves 🌟
It was a major month for employee growth with 13 new people joining our Village, including:
TorontoToday editor Allison Smith
TorontoToday deputy editor Eva Zhu
TorontoToday deputy editor Sarah Do Couto
TorontoToday reporter Kathryn Mannie
TorontoToday reporter Alex Goudge
The Trillium & Parliament Today newsletter editor Katherine DeClerq
The Trillium & Parliament Today account executive Sean Hansel
The Trillium reporter Alan Hale
Parliament Today reporter Palak Mangat
SooToday editor Brandon Walker
Oakville News reporter Ramona Leitao
Oakville News reporter Lukas Bernasiewicz
Village Media assistant desk editor Ned Bekavac
As well as moves within the Village, including:
TorontoToday senior reporter - City Hall - Aidan Chamandy
TorontoToday reporter/data journalist Patrick Cain
TorontoToday assistant desk editor Bernie O'Neill
TorontoToday is live! 👏
TorontoToday marks our biggest site launch yet, with eight reporters on the ground covering the people, places, events and information in the downtown neighbourhoods of Canada’s largest city.
The heart of the city has already warmly welcomed our new site, with over 7,100 people already subscribing to our daily newsletters, which deliver the latest hyperlocal news updates on the downtown core.
Our uniquely Village take on sharing the stories that matter most, the news happening right in your backyard, is quickly changing the landscape of local news in Toronto.
Major development for our political arm
Both our legislative coverage and roster of award-winning journalists grew significantly with the recent acquisition of Queen’s Park Today and Parliament Today.
Queen’s Park Today, founded by TorontoToday editor Allison Smith, has become an indispensable resource for political event listings and coverage of question period, legislative debates and votes, funding announcements, political nominations and more.
Parliament Today covers federal politics with the same insight, intelligence and urgency (and also establishes Village Media’s first-ever bureau on Parliament Hill in Ottawa).
Both newsletters and the journalists behind them will now operate as part of The Trillium, which has quickly become the must-read media outlet for inside scoops and breaking news about Ontario policy and politics.
SPACES pilot mode initiated 🚀
Hosts are in, pilot invites are out and people are joining their spaces of interest!
SPACES is now in its pilot phase, with invited first-wave users now actively posting, testing and enjoying our shot at bringing back meaningful conversations and truly local connections to social media.
Community members can scroll through posts across a number of local space topics, including photography, places to be, crafting, arts & entertainment, pets & animals, live shows, Sault memories and more, engaging in conversations that are local, safe and relevant to them.
The wider community will have a chance to try out SPACES when it launches to the public in early November.
SooToday honours another round of community builders 🏆
Now in its fourth year, the SooToday Community Builders Awards highlight the work of individuals and groups doing the difficult work on the front lines to make our community a better place to live.
The 2024 live event recognized 10 outstanding community members and organizations who are rolling up their sleeves to create positive, lasting change in Sault Ste. Marie.
A huge congratulations to the esteemed winners on their incredible achievements, as well as to our Village Media team who pulled together a program that shines a much-needed spotlight on the people quietly making a difference.
✨ Spotlight on sponsorships ✨
We supported two dozen initiatives through our sponsorship program in October, including:
BarrieToday
The Gilbert Centre
BayToday
Nipissing Serenity Hospice, Northern Ontario Tourism Summit, North Bay Lions Children Telethon, Smoke n Spurs
EloraFergusToday
Addy-tude
FlamboroughToday
Animal Adoptions Flamborough - Selfies with Santa, Flamborough Connects
GuelphToday
Let's Talk Science, Guelph Dance, Once Upon a Time Gala
NewmarketToday
Youth Unlimited: The Shop, The Frozen Jazzis
OrilliaMatters
Orillia and District Agricultural Society
PelhamToday
Rotary Club of Fonthill
SooToday
Soo Curlers Association Fall Classic, Making Waves Charity Cruise, Sault Symphony Orchestra Season Sponsor
Sudbury.com
Fem'Aide, Wine, Women and Purses
TorontoToday
Kids Up Front, Sugar Shack TO, Miracle
Spotted around the Village 🌎
Four open opportunities on the job board 🔎
Pawesome Villager of the month 🐾
Meet Huglan! 🐈
Huglan is a 5-year-old rescue who loves recharging his batteries by squeezing into spaces he's not supposed to be in.
Proud pet parent: Lacy Atalick
See you next month!
