CWG sends “A World Without Words” poster to 2,000 agencies

June 02, 2011 Editor News canadian writers grouppublishingregistered graphic designers of ontario

In April, the Canadian Writers Group announced it had become the official Content Sponsor for the Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario. We told you about the agency's ambitions to get its writers on the Ontario design community's radar, producing content for DesignThinkers 2011 and for RGD’s professional development and training activities throughout the year.

Continuing these efforts, CWG mailed out the above poster to 1,500 RGD designers this week. They'll mail another 500 posters to selected ad, design, and PR firms, and their existing clients once the Canada Post strike — which now looks certain to go ahead — is settled.

Some details about the poster:

It was created in collaboration with Parcel Design
Size: 24 x 17 inches
The words on the image were printed with a custom gloss varnish
The paper is newsprint-style stock

CWG has a post about its creation up on its website; see a large PDF version of the poster here.

The Canada Post strike: more than an “inconvenience” for freelancers

June 01, 2011 Editor Journalism canada postpayment methodsstrike

After seven months of talks, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post have yet to reach an agreement, and union members could strike as early as tomorrow night. CUPW has amended its demands as recently as this week, asking for more modest wage increases than it had previously.While we support the postal workers' use of collective action…

Take the Canadian magazine freelancers survey

May 30, 2011 Editor Bit of fun national magazine awardssurvey

Gearing up for the NMAs this month, we thought a survey on the state of magazine freelancing in Canada was in order. It's also a chance to take your own picks for the best work in Canadian magazines last year (see the NMAF's list of nominees). Results of the survey will be published here on Friday, June 10, the date of the NMA gala.The survey is…

A too-familiar story: one freelancer’s run-in with plagiarism

May 27, 2011 Editor Journalism digitallawyers weeklylexisnexusplagiarism

[caption id="attachment_1105" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="A screen capture of Benetton's article, published by Lawyers Weekly."][/caption]Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but not when your work isn't credited — or compensated. Earlier this month, freelance writer Luigi Benetton received a message from an editor…

To be or not to be (in a union), that is the question

May 26, 2011 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancercanadian media guildfreelance unionsunion organizing

This series of posts by the Born Freelancer will share personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? Your input is welcome in the comments. "I wouldn't belong to any club that would have me as a member" — attributed to Groucho Marx I usually feel the same way. I'm not really much…

Event: Creative Freelancer Conference, June 23-24, Chicago

May 25, 2011 Editor Event conferenceevent

The Creative Freelancer Conference, sponsored by HOW magazine and Marketing Mentor, is happening in Chicago on June 23 and 24.Conference attendees will get:● expert advice on marketing and finances● insight into the fine art of balancing your work and home life● details on developing a viable business plan● plus ample opportunity to network…

Kingston wants its above-Standard newspaper back

May 24, 2011 Editor Journalism cwasca canadakingston whig-standardlocal newsquebecor

[caption id="attachment_1078" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="The Whig-Standard's homepage, in need of focus. Screenshot from May 23, 2011."][/caption]After years of newsroom cuts that they say have tarnished the image of their once-great local paper, Kingston residents and area journalists have had enough. Together with Communications…

BC Business editor quits after publisher kills story

May 20, 2011 Editor Journalism bc businessjournalism ethicslibelmagazines

Matt O'Grady resigned from his editor-in-chief position at BC Business one week ago. It wasn't one of those resignations that's code for "got fired." He really truly quit.According to this Vancouver Sun article, his beef with the magazine's publisher, Peter Legge, was over a cover story for the June issue that O'Grady felt was very much worth…

Au revoir, Rue Frontenac?

May 19, 2011 Editor Journalism digitaljournal de montrealnewspaperspublishingrue frontenacunion organizing

[caption id="attachment_1047" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Screengrab from Rue Frontenac's front page, May 19, 2011."][/caption] Rue Frontenac launched in winter 2009 as website for locked-out workers at the Journal de Montreal, offering union information on the conflict between the paper and its unionized workers that began in…

Breaking news, and breaking even (sometimes)

May 18, 2011 Editor Event canadian journalism foundationdigitalfreelancer ratesipoliticsopenfilerue frontenacthe markthe tyee

By guest contributor Karen Wirsig It used to be that the capitalists who owned newspapers took care of the money and hired fleets of journalists mostly focused on covering the news. Sure, there were conflicts in this scenario. Lots of them. But it was a generally workable model for reporting to a mass audience and making money.Now, not so much.…