It has now been two years since our headline on this page read, “We’ve Changed Hands, But Not Our Direction!” I hope you agree that we’ve kept our promise to you, our readers and advertisers, to maintain the same direction and quality of On The Bay, as part of our partnership with Moses Znaimer’s multi-media company, ZoomerMedia.
Often when a small publishing company is taken over by a much larger media company, many changes occur (frankly, not always good ones). So I’m delighted to tell you that the changes we’ve experienced have been genuinely positive, both for the magazine and for our radio station, The New Classical 102.9 FM. After all, the very reason for the merger was to strengthen both media in order to create a unique and effective ‘combination buy’ for a growing number of local businesses that see the value in advertising in both print and radio.
We’ve also enhanced the value to our readers and listeners. For instance, local community leaders, artists and musicians featured in the magazine have also been interviewed on radio by Bill Anderson, adding depth and reach to On The Bay content and providing our radio listeners across Southern Ontario with a greater sense of what makes our region so special.
Our staff also report positive benefits from the merger. We have all seen our responsibilities grow as we cross-pollinate our media and find new ways to benefit our community. We’re proud of the fact that we are pioneers in the first-ever successful merging of a local magazine and radio station, and there’s a renewed energy as we work together creatively to ensure a vibrant future.
We’re proud of the fact that we are pioneers in the first-ever successful merging of a local magazine and
radio station, and there’s a renewed energy as we work together creatively to ensure a vibrant future.
As listeners know, The New Classical 102.9 FM does more than play classical music. Through Bill Anderson’s interviews with local arts and cultural leaders, and through repurposed editorial from On The Bay, we reflect the rich culture and heritage that define Southern Georgian Bay. In turn, the magazine itself has ramped up its coverage of arts and culture. In any given issue (including the issue you hold in your hands) there are at least a dozen pages devoted to arts, culture and history.
Since the merger, we have helped create, with the Town of Collingwood, Classic Movies On The Bay, screening classic films at no charge for our readers and listeners at Collingwood’s beautiful Shipyards Amphitheatre. And this year we were the exclusive media sponsor and host for the inaugural Collingwood Summer Music Festival led by artistic director Daniel Wnukowski, an internationally acclaimed pianist. The festival showcases musical performances of the highest calibre, presenting classical, jazz, and world music. We expect that this will be an annual event, so watch for more info next spring in On The Bay and on Classical 102.9 FM.
What does all this mean, loyal readers? For you, it means that we’re working hard to inform and celebrate our community as no other local media can. For our advertisers, it means the Georgian Bay Division of ZoomerMedia has more to offer in targeting their preferred customers. It’s working so well that this is the largest issue of On The Bay in many years, and I couldn’t be more pleased. Enjoy. ❧
