Magazines Canada staff members Brianne DiAngelo, Communications and Public Engagement Director; Evan Dickson, Business Development Director; and Kiley Pole, Member Services and Benefits Manager, have left the association due to an organizational restructure. Their last day with Magazines Canada was March 31.

“I wish to thank Brianne, Evan and Kiley for their work and years of service given to the association,” said Jennifer Varkonyi, Publisher of Maisonneuve and Magazines Canada Board Chair. “Since joining the magazine world 13 years ago, I’ve witnessed Magazines Canada undergo several transitions. One thing has remained constant: the staff gives their all to the association, stepping up to help member publishers in any way they can. This is certainly true of Brianne, Evan and Kiley. They have made significant contributions to the association’s mission of advocacy, professional development, and community building. We are grateful for your hard work and dedication. Thank you, merci, and we wish you all the best.”

The association’s strategic communications activities have benefited from Brianne DiAngelo’s deft touch since joining Magazines Canada in 2007. Indeed, that very year, Brianne worked on the communications and delivery of the inaugural MagNet conference, and has expertly steered conference communications, marketing and promotions ever since. In 2016, Brianne managed a brand redesign for the association, along with a major website redevelopment. Brianne has developed and implemented communications strategies for many Magazines Canada activities, including the Canadian Magazines Canadiens trade magazine, the 2015 FIPP World Congress in Toronto, the Magazine Grands Prix in 2017, Magazines Canada Fellowships, and provincial and national paid internship programs. Brianne is also “the pen” behind the association’s most recent successful application for multi-year operating support from the Canada Council for the Arts.

“I have had the privilege of working with Brianne DiAngelo at Magazines Canada for 14 years,” said Barbara Zatyko, Former Vice-President, Operations at Magazines Canada. “Her professionalism and eye for detail are unparalleled. Brianne brings commitment and common sense to everything she undertakes. There are countless events, conferences, resources and services that are better for Brianne’s role in their development. The association and the industry are lucky to have benefited from the integrity Brianne brought to her work. I’ll miss her.”

Evan Dickson started at Magazines Canada in 2006 as a warehouse assistant, and worked his way up to a director position. Over the course of his 15 year career, Evan has steered Magazines Canada’s member and sponsorship departments through some massive changes in the industry and the association. He has personally welcomed and built relationships with hundreds of magazines; for many members, Evan is the person to reach out to with a question or when faced with a challenge. In his current role as Director of Business Development, Evan built Magazines Canada’s sponsorship into a six-digit revenue stream. He also hired and supervised multiple interns and entry-level employees who went on to careers in the magazine and media industries, consistently supporting new talent in working their way up as he himself once did.

“I’ve worked with Evan on many Magazines Canada projects, large and small, and his positivity, enthusiasm and professionalism made each one better,” said Scott Jamieson, Chief Operating Officer of Annex Business Media and Magazines Canada Past-Chair. “He knows everyone in the industry, and was always gracious in introducing me to those networks, and reaching out to me when he thought my experience may be of value to other members, playing that key association role as match-maker. These will be key assets wherever Evan takes his talent.”

Since joining the association team in 2017, Kiley Pole has revitalized Magazines Canada’s professional development and skills training resources, particularly our long-standing podcast AudioMag, with new experts and formats. In 2019, she produced a completely new suite of resources called The Age of Disinformation, a series of whitepapers, hotsheets and webinars dedicated to combating disinformation and misinformation. Kiley led association efforts to diversify the contributors to our resources as well as speaker slates at our industry conference, MagNet. Transitioning MagNet from an in-person event to a fully virtual conference in 2020 is also a major accomplishment. From event concept to day-of delivery, Kiley was Magazines Canada’s point person for all things virtual MagNet, and a primary reason for its success.

“Kiley Pole has been an absolute treasure at Magazines Canada!” said AnnMarie MacKinnon, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Geist. “Whether it’s been working with her on professional development resources, on industry events or on committee meetings, she has shown herself to be that special combination of committed, organized, proficient, forward-thinking and just plain delightful to be around that can be so hard to find!”

“There’s no greater satisfaction, as a manager, than supporting one’s colleagues in their own growth as professionals,” said Magazines Canada’s Executive Director, Melanie Rutledge. “Brianne, Evan and Kiley have honed their skills through their experience serving Canadian magazine publishers. Now, they have the opportunity to take the next step along their respective career paths and bring all of this to their next professional endeavours. I’ve learned a great deal from each of them. I wish them all the best.”

Brianne, Evan and Kiley have been great friends to Canadian magazines and will be missed by the members and team at Magazines Canada. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.