Evanov Radio Celebrates its 25 Years of Independent Perseverance

Toronto, ON — November 9, 2009 — The landscape of radio has changed drastically in the 25 years since William Evanov acquired CIAO-AM 530 (then 790 AM) in 1984 from Mutual Radio/Radio-Mutuel, represented by Michel Arpin, the current Vice Chair for Broadcasting of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Changes in CRTC regulations regarding multiple-license ownership and consolidation as well as the worst recession in recent history have proven too much for many independent broadcasters to endure.

Yet, through a combination of meticulous research, creative approaches, strategic promotion and sheer perseverance, Evanov Communications Inc. has not only survived but thrived in the marketplace, proving that independent radio can still be a major contender in an industry crowded with media giants.

One quality that sets ECI apart as a competitor is its sense of perseverance in the face of obstacles. With an enterprising spirit, President and founder William Vasil Evanov has set forth achieving a roster of firsts and milestones in independent radio. It was Evanov himself who defined dance music as a radio format in Canada when he relaunched CING-FM as Energy 108 in 1990, effectively carving out a unique format for Canadian broadcasting.

The same make-it-happen philosophy has guided the company to stand strong in competition with the corporate Goliaths. ECI is currently the only independent broadcaster in the Ottawa and Halifax markets, competing with seventeen commercial stations owned by corporate conglomerates in Ottawa, eight in Halifax, and is one of only two independent broadcasters in the Toronto CMA, competing with 12 stations currently owned by corporate giants. ECI is one of the first broadcasters to offer significant equity to its female executives and employs one of the youngest female vice presidents in Canadian broadcasting.

ECI, which today holds 11 broadcast licenses, is committed to the communities it serves, and stands as the only broadcaster that invests in and owns every building it operates in each local market. Committed to its employees as well, the company is the only employer that brings all of its employees by plane, train, or bus from all of its stations to Toronto every December for the annual Christmas party.

From its humble beginnings, the company has now expanded to incorporate eleven stations in a variety of formats serving communities across Ontario, Nova Scotia, and soon Manitoba. As an independent operator, ECI has taken the path and the effort to develop unique formats rather than the boilerplate American-style mainstream formats adopted by the larger broadcasting corporations in Canada.

In addition to the multilingual format, there are two other formats ECI has cultivated. The Contemporary Hit Radio-Dance format delivers a variety of different types of music—Pop, Rock, Hip-hop, R&B and Dance. This CHR-Dance format is a mainstay of Z103.5 in Toronto (CIDC-FM) and Halifax (CKHZ-FM). Each station is specifically tailored to its particular market, demonstrating its own preference for genres and the inclusion of local talent. When determining the playlist for Z103.5, music programmers look further than just the U.S. Top 40 charts, consulting the request lists from each of the announcers, talking with the DJs who play in nightclubs, and testing each new song with the audience. Z103.5 has also prided itself on programming to diverse communities, playing hits from all over the world, not just from the U.S charts. Unlike the sanitized, run-of-the-mill blueprint used by Top 40 stations that try to emulate the U.S. formula, Z103.5 goes beyond mainstream charts to get to the real heart of what music the audience wants to hear.

CIDC (Z103.5) has been holding the popular annual Summer Rush concerts for seventeen years in Toronto and CKHZ (Z103.5) for three years in Halifax, drawing tens of thousands of fans and such high profile acts as Girlicious, Nelly, Lady GaGa, Akon and many more. Z103.5 Toronto serves nearly a million listeners and has received awards for its involvement with the Toronto Crime Stoppers in programs such as "Student Crime Stoppers," "Gunplay No Way," "The Pathway to Success," and other anti-crime initiatives. Z103.5 Toronto has also won numerous accolades, twice winning "Station of the Year" in the Contemporary Hit Radio category of the Canadian Music Awards, and earning multiple Gold and Silver Medals from the Toronto Sun Readers' Choice Awards for three years running.

ECI also developed "Today’s new Easy Listening" format that characterises The Jewel, blending soft, melodic music in a variety of genres from different eras. The Jewel format plays music that is timeless, whether it was recorded in 2009 or 1966. Sub-genres of music played consist of soft pop vocals, light Adult Contemporary, instrumentals, light classical and Jazz. Local variations of this format are carried on the award-winning CKDX-FM 88.5 in Toronto, CJWL-FM 98.5 in Ottawa, and CKHK-FM 107.7, Hawkesbury's first FM radio station, and will soon be broadcasting at CFJL-FM 106.1 in Winnipeg. In addition to providing Toronto's favourite lite hits, The Jewel 88.5 received a Gold Medal in the 2007 Toronto Sun Readers' Choice Awards.

Established by Evanov in 2007, CIRR-FM Proud 103.9 is the world's first and only commercial terrestrial radio station whose mandate is to serve the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) population. Acclaimed in the Toronto LGBT community, Proud earned awards for "Best Radio Station" as well as "Best Radio DJ" for morning show host Deb Pearce in Xtra! Magazine's 2009 Reader's Poll Edition. In addition to a great blend of music, PROUD distinguishes itself from other stations by providing news, talk and information programming from a unique, inclusive perspective about and for the LGBT community. PROUD is very present in its community, sponsoring the annual LGTB Pride celebrations in Toronto.

CIAO-AM 530, a multilingual station, has been providing quality programming in a variety of languages to hundreds of thousands of new Canadians since 1984. The station is one of the founders of the Canadian Catalogue of Ethnic Music, a resource dedicated to collecting, promoting and distributing music to the industry and the public. In a world where ethnic, religious and economic conflicts often make headline news throughout the year, CIAO's diverse program producers and on-air personnel work side by side in peace and harmony, sharing with the listeners and each other the richness of the diverse heritages and values that bind us together. In Southern Ontario's vibrant cultural mosaic, CIAO-AM 530 is a valued community leader and institution.

ECI has also very recently acquired Brantford's CKPC-FM 92.1 and CKPC-AM 1380, where it will continue to provide local news and information along with great music formats on AM and FM. The CRTC has just approved ECI's application for another broadcasting license in Halifax.

Twenty-five years of perseverance has yielded twenty five years' worth of rewards, as Evanov Communications Inc., the fastest growing independent broadcaster in the country, expands into new territories, acquires new stations and connects with new communities. Yet even as it has proven itself to be a competitive giant, Evanov Communications Inc. has not lost the spirit of an independent business. The company remains truly committed to the communities it serves and to its employees, who work together like family to achieve great goals.

Scott Fox and the Z103.5 Morning Show are Toronto's Top Choice.

Toronto, ON — October 8, 2009 — CIDC-FM (Z103.5) was honoured with the Mark of Excellence by the Top Choice Awards™ for '2009 Greater Toronto Area Morning Show of the Year'. Monica and David Couto of the Top Choice Awards™ visited the Z103.5 studio Thursday morning to present the award to Scott Fox and the Z103.5 Morning Show. This is the 3rd consecutive ‘Morning Show of the Year’ award for Scott Fox and the Z103.5 Morning Show.

The Top Choice Awards™ are presented annually. The winners in each of the 40 categories are selected by the multicultural communities of the Greater Toronto Area. The votes are cast through the year via a combination of online voting and telephone surveys conducted by the Top Choice Awards™.

This year's awards ceremony will take place on November 6th at the Atlantis Pavilions.

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, ON – On October 7, 2009 HFX Broadcasting Inc., a division of the Evanov Radio Group, received the approval of the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”) to operate a second FM radio station in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

This approval came after public hearings were held in Halifax in May of this year at which Evanov pointed out there was a need for more variety in the radio services being offered, especially to women. The CRTC noted in its decision that granting Evanov a second licence would allow it to better compete with the other broadcasters in the market.

This decision comes on the heels of a second CRTC approval for Ottawa Media Inc., another Evanov Radio property, to increase the power for its station, CJWL-FM in Ottawa. That decision will now allow the station to be better heard in the city’s downtown core.

Bill Evanov, President of Evanov Communications Inc. said of the approvals:

“Our company has always sought to be competitive in some of Canada’s toughest markets. With both of these approvals, the CRTC has recognized our efforts and has given us the tools we need to meet our objectives in Halifax and Ottawa.”

Evanov Communications Inc. is continually seeking to find creative ways to provide radio service to under-represented markets, and currently has applications pending before the CRTC for both an English and a French language service Quebec City.

Evanov Communications Inc. is an independent broadcasting company with 25 years experience in the radio industry, and operates seven radio stations offering a variety of formats. Based out of Toronto, Evanov Communications Inc. employs over 150 employees in three provinces.

Evanov Radio group owns and operates two CHR stations (CIDC-FM [Toronto] and CKHZ-FM [Halifax]); three Easy Listening stations: (CKDX-FM [Newmarket], CJWL-FM [Ottawa],CKHK-FM [Hawkesbury] and CFJL-FM [Winnipeg]); one station targeting the LGBT community (CIRR-FM [Toronto]); one ethnic station (CIAO-AM [Brampton]); and an Adult Contemporary and Oldies station (CKPC-FM and CKPC [Brantford]).

For further information, please contact:
Lorne M. Simon
416.785.5037lmsimon@rogers.com

CRTC Approves Evanov Acquisition of CKPC-AM and CKPC-FM.
News and Programming Orientation of the Radio Stations will not Change
Brantford, ON — September 9, 2009 — Two local radio stations are getting a new lift from independent radio broadcasting company Evanov Communications Inc. The Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission has approved the sale of CKPC AM & FM to Evanov as of September 2nd.

The transaction will not change local programming to the people of Brantford. Evanov Communications, Inc. remains committed to the communities it serves and will continue to provide the best adult contemporary on CKPC-FM 92.1 and oldies on CKPC-AM 1380 as well as a heavy component for local news and information.

Now in its 25th year, Evanov Communications, Inc. operates 10 stations in a variety of formats serving communities across Ontario, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.

Jewel FM 88.5 in Toronto, 98.5 in Ottawa, 107.7 in Hawkesbury and 106.1, Winnipeg's newest station, provide Adult Contemporary and Easy Listening programming. Z103.5 focuses on Top 40 and Contemporary Hits in Halifax and Toronto. Proud FM 103.9 serves Toronto's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans community, while CIAO-AM 530 in Brampton and Toronto provides multicultural programming for Canadian newcomers.

Evanov Communications Inc. is continually seeking to find creative ways to provide radio service to under-represented markets, and currently has applications pending with the CRTC for another station in Halifax as well as both an English-language and a French-language radio service in Quebec City. Evanov Communications Inc. employs over 150 employees in three provinces.

The radio group's president and founder Bill Evanov has stated, "We are very excited to add both CKPC-FM and CKPC-AM to our operations. Together with our existing stations, we will continue to provide quality radio programming to the areas we are licensed to serve, now including the Brantford market."

For information:
Contact: Lorne M Simon – Michael Communications
Phone: 416 – 785-5037
Email: lmsimon@rogers.com

BOATING FOR THE CURE RAISES $30,000
For Immediate Release, June 29, 2009 - Boating for the Cure was a one day event held this past Saturday June 27th, 2009. The day started off at the Gravenhurst Town Docks. The rally tour included Pride Marine, Beaumaris, and Bala across Lake Muskoka returning back to the town docks.  An awards ceremony and reception was held at the end of the day. All monies raised by pledges from supporters were donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Prostate Cancer Research Foundation in support of cancer research.

The program was simple - register a team, and then collect pledges to your group online.  Although some teams were formed as far back as last March, The Jewel 88.5/Z 103.5 team was formed only in the last 5 days. Company President Bill Evanov personally spearheaded the effort despite the short time frame and promised to make this an annual effort. “We will be back and we will start earlier next year” he said.

In all close to $30,000 was raised with The Jewel 88.5 (CKDX-FM)/ Z 103.5 (CIDC-FM) Team accounting for $10,000.00. The other teams mustered the rest: Muskoka Vice $1240; Team CEO $2910; Argyleca.ca $1175; Beyond 2008 $3305; Wayne’s Wake Warriors $205; Wake Jam $4070; Delmyrna $4140; EM & M $550.

As part of this program, people are encouraged to be aware of breast cancer and prostate cancer, and encouraging them to get regularly checked for these diseases. Full campaigns to this effect were conducted on-air on both radio stations.

Congratulations to all the volunteers, organizers and supporters who gave in time and money.  This event was led by Pride Marine Group in support of the Canadian Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  The week prior, an on-air auction on The Jewel 88.5 raised and additional $10,100.00 for The Breast Cancer Society of Canada.

The station will be in the area again July 11th as it sponsors the 29th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show, Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst. 

Media Contact: Lorne M. Simon – Michael Communications 416.785.5037

Evanov Radio Awarded Newest FM Radio Station
To Serve Winnipeg, Manitoba
On August 21, 2008 Toronto-based Evanov Radio was awarded Canada’s newest FM radio service for Winnipeg, Manitoba. This new and exciting station marks the beginning of the Evanov Radio Group’s expansion west of Ontario and will join other stations in the group located in Toronto, Ottawa, Newmarket, Brampton, Hawkesbury and Halifax.

The Winnipeg station will offer a musical blend of Adult Contemporary and Easy Listening music, along with a very heavy local news component that will appeal to a demographic of Adult men and women.

Bill Evanov, President of the company says: “We are very excited about serving Winnipeg. Our Winnipeg station, like our other ones across the country will be very, very local - from what is heard on air to the personnel behind the scenes. The expansion westward is one of the objectives in the growth of our company and we are very happy that the Commission has given us this opportunity.”

Evanov Communications Inc. is continually seeking to find creative ways to provide radio service to under-represented markets, and currently has applications pending before the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for Edmonton, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario.

Evanov Communications Inc. is an independent broadcasting company with 20 years experience in the radio industry, and operates seven radio stations offering a variety of formats. Based out Toronto, Evanov Communications Inc. employs over 150 employees throughout southern Ontario and Nova Scotia. Evanov Radio group owns and operates Toronto area stations: CIDC-FM (Z103.5); CKDX-FM (88.5), CIAO-AM (530); as well as CKHZ-FM (Z 103.5) in Halifax; CKHZ-FM Hawkesbury (107.7) and CJWL-FM (98.5) in Ottawa.

1. Henry Mancini – Moon River
2. James Last – Games That Lovers Play
3. Richard Abel – La Violetera
4. Percy Faith – Baubles Bangles & Beads
5. Paul Mauriat – Love Is Blue
6. Jacques Duguay – To All The Girls I've Loved Before
7. Bert Kaempfert – Wonderland By Night
8. Frank Mills – Even The Nights Are Better
9. Chuck Mangione – Bellavia
10. Mantovani – Italia Mia
11. Liona Boyd – Moonlight & Roses
12. Zamfir – Blue Navajo
13. Richard Abel – Heure Exquise (The Merry Widow)
14. Wayne Chaulk – More Than Words
15. Jacques Duguay – Como El Pajarito En Su Nido