ICYMI: CTV partners with iHeartRadio for The Launch

Plus, Santa Claus Parade marks seven years on CTV and Creative Artist Agency launches new studio.
By Justin Dallaire
November 3, 2017

Pictured: Nikki Sixx, founding band member of Mötley Crüe, and one of The Launch’s celebrity mentors.

CTV’s The Launch partners with iHeartRadio Canada

CTV has confirmed its first music partnership with iHeartRadio Canada on its inaugural season of The Launch. Each closed-end, hour-long episode of the six-part series features five unsigned emerging artists auditioning for the opportunity to record and a perform an original song. The partnership will see each week’s original song debut on iHeartRadio’s network of Top 40, Hot AC and AC stations, as well as on its streaming service, following the conclusion of each episode. The songs will also be placed on regular rotation on iHeartRadio stations, with artists appearing on the digital listening brand’s morning shows across Canada.

Creative Artists Agency launches studio for consumer-facing tech, media and entertainment

Entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency has introduced Creative Labs, a new start-up studio focused on developing consumer-facing technology companies and media and entertainment experiences. Creative Labs’ Vancouver-based CEO, Mike Edwards, will work with a team of engineers, designers and developers to conceive new businesses in OTT, VR/AR, gaming and AI messaging. It will also work on digital consumer brands in e-commerce, mobile, social and publishing. To date, Creative Labs has helped launch Belletrist, a product-driven media company, and Ground Control, an interactive audio platform.

Santa Claus Parade to return to CTV

For the seventh straight year, the Santa Claus Parade will be broadcast exclusively on CTV on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT. This year, the parade has introduced a new logo and debuted a new name, The Original Santa Claus Parade, to match the official name of the non-profit organization and to celebrate its status as the oldest Santa Claus Parade in Canada. CTV will air an encore presentation of the parade on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT.