Website roundup
By Adnews Staff
Toronto-based specialty channel Showcase has launched a bi-weekly podcast called Showcase Showcast. The podcast is available at the Showcase.ca website and ITunes. The program provides entertainment news and interviews with actors from Showcase series. "Showcase viewers consistently crave exclusive digital content and we are more than happy to answer their call with the addition of the Showcase Showcast," said Chris Harris, director of digital content at Canwest Broadcasting. "The podcast is an uncensored, uninhibited and unscripted forum where the stars make the rules and anything can happen."
Vancouver-based mineral exploration company Williams Creek Explorations has launched a new website at <http://www.williamscreek.ca>. The site includes information about the company and its operations. "Having an official website is an integral component of Williams Creek's communications and investor relations strategy, and it is a useful method for disseminating information about Williams Creek to the public," said company chairman and CEO Michael Sonnenreich. "Presenting news and updates on developments at Williams Creek is an important part of Williams Creek's strategy for communicating both with investors and with the precious metals exploration community and especially the gold exploration community."
Corus Entertainment has begun a join venture with Supernova Interactive to construct a social network intended to recommend new independent music for play on Corus Radio stations. The network will be integrated into the websites of participating Corus radio stations. The service is now in operation at Power 97 of Winnipeg and 99.3 The Fox of Vancouver. Additional stations will be added nationally over several months. The service will offer band profiles and music samples that will permit listeners to influence which artists receive radio airplay. "We're very pleased to be working with Supernova on the integration of a music-based social media platform with our websites," said David Huszar, vice-president and general manager of the interactive arm of Corus Entertainment. "This will serve local communities by providing new music fans a place to listen, share and support their local music scene and emerging artists by offering them opportunities to expose their music to a larger audience through our websites and airwaves."
The Omega Foundation has launched a new website at <http://www.smartsaver.org>. The site provides information aimed at low-income families to assist them in applying for government grants available for their children's post-secondary education. The information is provided in 14 languages and includes video testimonials from community leaders and educational animations. The site was designed by McDonnell Haynes Advertising & Design of Toronto and produced by Principle, with translations performed by AV Communications and video and animation by Sheila Murray. "Many low income families qualify for the Canada Learning Bond but don't know that they can get $2,000 put into their RESP without having to making any contributions of their own," said Phil Haynes, CEO of McDonnell Haynes. "We need to build awareness, but even then they are often reluctant to deal with banks and government agencies, especially immigrant families. Our strategy is to overcome that reluctance by giving them an objective source of information in their own language and with the backing of community leaders they trust."