Interview opportunities from the November Report on Business magazine

TORONTO, Oct. 30 /CNW/ - In today's Globe and Mail, CanWest Global Communications Corp. - Canada's largest media company, owner of the Global Television network, 13 daily newspapers and more than 20 cable channels - filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. It was the culmination of a long struggle with an almost $4 billion debt load. In the November issue of Report on Business magazine, available Friday, October 30, Grant Robertson traces the difficult path to this point, including opportunities missed, and pinpoints the day Bay Street abandoned CanWest: January 28, 2008. On that day, CanWest confirmed it was not selling its stake in Australia's Ten television network, which would have taken a good bite out of the corporate debt. Institutional shareholders voted with their feet. A stock that had traded at nearly $10 before cancellation of the sale shed an average of 50 cents a month over the next year. On Bay Street they spoke of "CanWest fatigue" - too much debt for too long and too many missed chances to dig itself out. Ultimately, bondholders, who were owed millions in outstanding interest payments, took control away from the Aspers, forced the sale of Ten and put the company in creditor protection.

Also in this issue:

Paradise postponed - It used to be so easy. Build a private winery, add a designer golf course, and the retirees would come. For British Columbia's real estate developers, it was a real-life game of SimCity. And if it seemed too good to be true, well, it was. Jim Sutherland looks at why Utopia is now in creditor protection.

Never mind the death threats - Tracking down the world's worst white-collar fraudsters requires a certain amount of pluck. Fortunately for Martin Kenney - who does this stuff for a living - the job comes with one decent perk: Many of the big tax havens are in the Caribbean. Writer Nick Ryan investigates the world of chasing fraud artists and how to get them where it hurts - their pocketbooks!

Dear Detroit - Here are a few suggestions on how to get back in the game: Ditch the dealers, crowd-source the design, and sell electric vehicles with pay-as-you-go battery plans. Writer Christopher Shulgan reveals why Detroit may want to get billionaire Roger Penske back on the phone.

Report on Business magazine is Canada's most-read business publication. Published on the last Friday of every month in The Globe and Mail, Report on Business magazine offers readers insightful, award-winning coverage of Canadian and global business and economics and is available with copies of The Globe and Mail and online at www.reportonbusiness.com/magazine. The Globe and Mail is a division of CTVglobemedia, a dynamic multimedia company that also owns CTV, Canada's leading private broadcaster.

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact: Jennifer Hills, jhills@environicspr.com, (416) 969-2669; Sheryl So, sso@environicspr.com, (416) 969-2725

New online and in-paper enhancements feature more lifestyle content

TORONTO, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - The Globe and Mail today introduces Globedrive.com, a comprehensive and interactive website that reflects The Globe's commitment to both the automotive consumer and advertising clients. With continuously updated feature content, supported by impactful photography, the site moves readers through practical advice, simple search features and stories that reflect the driving lifestyle. In addition, on November 5, the newspaper's Thursday auto section, available only in Ontario, will become Globe Drive with an expanded line-up of editorial and lifestyle content, creating greater range and opportunity for advertisers. As car sites and automotive newspaper sections have traditionally focused on the models, stats and features of the latest vehicles, the new Globe Drive will do that too, but content has been expanded to include additional lifestyle appeal. "Globe Drive will be just as appealing to women and younger drivers as Globe Auto has been to our core audience of affluent and mature car enthusiasts," said Andrew Saunders, Vice President, Advertising Sales for The Globe and Mail. "We've given advertisers the platform to cater to an audience they want - not just automotive enthusiasts, but passionate drivers." Globe Drive will explore topics like our relationships with our cars, family driving, car audio and electronics, green options, car tips, road trips and what the cars we drive say about us, to name just a few. "Globe Drive understands the spirit and passion of driving," said Simon Beck, custom content manager for The Globe and Mail. "Drivers aren't just interested in what's under the hood. They want to share their excitement for driving, learn about the latest trends and be on top of what's coming to market from the automotive industry. Globe Drive brings those experiences to a broader group of readers." "We spend a significant part of our life behind the wheel - with our families, on vacations, and for fun. We've created Globe Drive to reflect the full scope of these moments," said Phillip Crawley, Publisher of The Globe and Mail. "Globe Drive still takes you through the buying process, but now Globe Drive is a part of the daily drive."

The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper, is a division of CTVglobemedia, a dynamic multimedia company, which also owns CTV Inc., Canada's number-one private broadcaster.

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact: Sheryl So: (416) 969-2725, sso@environicspr.com

    - Plus de 130 000 interviennent auprès du CRTC en faveur de la télévision
    locale -

    TORONTO, le 4 nov. /CNW/ - Plus de 130 000 Canadiens des quatre coins du
pays ont fait part au CRTC de leur soutien de la télévision locale dans le
cadre d'un processus de consultation publique qui a pris fin le lundi, 2
novembre.
    "Nous sommes comblés par la vague de soutien clair et sans équivoque de
notre position, a dit Paul Sparkes, vice-président responsable des affaires
de la société CTVglobemedia. Les consommateurs canadiens n'ont pas été dupes,
ils ont compris les enjeux et nous ne saurions assez les en remercier."
    Dans les remarques qu'ils ont soumises au CRTC, les consommateurs
canadiens ont nettement reconnu la valeur de la télévision locale, incité le
Conseil à reconnaître le droit de la télévision locale de négocier avec les
compagnies de câble et de satellite et réclamé la réglementation du taux
d'abonnement au service de télévision de base.
    En septembre, le ministre du Patrimoine, James Moore, a ordonné au CRTC
de considérer le point de vue des consommateurs dans le débat sur l'avenir de
la télévision canadienne. Les consommateurs ont répondu massivement à
l'invitation du CRTC à faire part de leur point de vue. En quatre semaines,
le Conseil a reçu plus de 130 000 lettres d'appui pour la télévision locale
(et le courrier n'a pas encore été complètement dépouillé).
    "Le ministre du Patrimoine, M. Moore, a demandé aux consommateurs
canadiens de faire part de leur point de vue et les consommateurs ont
proclamé cinq sur cinq leur soutien de la télévision locale," a dit Charlotte
Bell, vice-présidente responsable des affaires gouvernementales et
réglementaires de Canwest.

À propos de Ma Télé Locale - J'Y Tiens:

    Ma Télé Locale - J'Y Tiens est une campagne lancée par les télédiffuseurs
canadiens pour la protection et la préservation de la télévision locale pour
les téléspectateurs du Canada. Les membres de Ma Télé Locale - J'Y Tiens e
incluent CTV, 'A', Global, SRC et V, avec des milliers de partisans à travers
le pays. La campagne encourage les Canadiens à faire entendre leur voix à
l'appui de la télévision locale en se joignant à la conversation à
www.MaTeleLocale-JYTiens.ca.

Renseignements: Nom: Bonnie Brownlee, vice-présidente directrice de CTV,
Communications, Téléphone: (416) 384-7190, Courriel: Bonnie.Brownlee@ctv.ca;
Nom: John Douglas, vice-président principal de Canwest, Affaires publiques,
Téléphone: (204) 227-1846, Courriel: jdouglas@canwest.com; Nom: Jeff Keay,
chef des relations avec les médias, SRC-CBC, Téléphone: (416) 205-3987,
Courriel: jeff.keay@cbc.ca; Nom: Douglas W. Neal, vice-président directeur,
Newfoundland Broadcasting Co. Ltd., Téléphone: (709) 570-5236, Courriel:
dneal@ntv.ca; Nom: John Pollard, PDG, CHEK Media Group, Téléphone: (250)
383-2435, Courriel: Jpollard@cheknews.ca; Nom: Yanick Lecours, directeur des
communications, V, Téléphone: (819) 377-6053, Courriel: ylecours@vtele.ca