BEST OF OTTAWA: Media Personalities

With 20-years writing about Ottawa life we think we have
a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer.
In this new weekly summer series we’ll share it with you.
From our top picks of hotels, live music venues, local brews,
bands and more, check, share and discuss
#OLMBest every Monday!

“Stuntman” Stu Schwartz (Magic 100)

Currently Morning Show host on Majic 100, Stu Schwatz began his career with what would become his nickname. He started doing stunts. You gotta’ give him props, that’s a unique way to break into radio. Since then he’s been an auctioneer, a chef, announcer at the Olympics and Paralympics games and Diamond Jubilee medal women. Stu also launched an anti-bullying campaign called #NoMoreBullies and, if all that wasn’t enough, the dude sent Leaukaemia into remission less than two months afrer a bone marrow transplant in 2016.

Jeff Mauler (HOT 89.9)

He’s one part of the foursome that make up the #1 morning show in the city waking up Ottawa to the Morning Hot Tub weekdays on Hot 89.9. The show was nominated for a Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Award. Along with the morning gig, Mauler co-hosts The Canadian Hit 30 and, speaking of co-hosting, he won a spot back in 2011 as a guest host on LIVE! With Regis and Kelly. “I wouldn’t be here without Ottawa,” he said!

Lucy van Oldenbarneveld (CBC Ottawa)

Popular host of the evening news on CBC TV Ottawa, Oldenbarneveld wasn’t going to let cancer stop her continued success. Beginning her career as a field reporter in 2003, her “sass and her wit” would find her part of the flagship daily newscast only 3 years later. Sidelined for 16 months while undoging breast cancer treatment, her smile and spunk returned to the desk in 2016. Her video updates during her treatment were a testament to her inspirational strength.  

Bill Carroll (CFRA)

Brought on as host of the CFRA’s Morning Rush, veteran broadcast Bill Carroll has since not shied away from discussing hot-button issues to go alongside your kickstart cup of coffee. Once working stateside in Los Angeles, he returned to Canada to continue his work in Toronto. Over his career he’s racked up multiple accolades (including being named #5 of Newsmax’s 50 most influential local talk radio hosts) and even had a stint as a gameshow host on Much’s spoof show Test Pattern. Canucks are glad he’s back here in the Great White North.

Carol Anne Meehan (1310 News)

2015 was a rough year for this former CJOH news anchor. It took about 30 seconds to inform Meehan she was being laid off from her 27-year career at the anchor desk where she once sat with her mentor, the late Max Keeping. After the shock ebbed, she decided she would reinvent herself and eventually found a new home at 1310 News with The Carol Anne Meehan Show debuting in May of 2016. She also continues to run her blog Local Stories – Local People while remaining active in and around the community.

Alan Neal (CBC)

It really seems like Alan Neal is everywhere. Along with being the host of the city’s favorite drive home show on CBC Radio One, he hosts a slew of events around town. He’s also a published children’s author with Ava and the Little Folk released in 2012. His interviews are peppered with his warm sense of humour and Neal tends to unearth tidbits even his subject matter were unaware of. To him, it’s just All in A Day.

Katrina Turnbull (Bell Fibe TV1 / Blogger)

A one-time French-English translator living in Paris, Turnbull returned to Ottawa with her Parisian style sense to launch her blog, Oui C’est Chic. The mother of two instantly found a passion in helping other moms feel good about themselves by sharing tips and tricks. The blog was a success catching the eye of Bell Fibe TV where Turnbull helped spearhead the show Capital Style Files in which she takes you into the most glamorous Ottawa events and sits down with its style trendsetters.

Matt Skube (CTV)

Anchor of CTV News at Five and 11:30, Skube began his career in his hometown of Thunderbay as a sort of jack-of-all-trades. Weather, sports, breaking news, he covered it all. Skube and his versatility would be snatched up by a capital news desk. Not content to just remain a man behind the headlines, he fosters his other passion as a volunteer for events and organizations throughout town. He acts too!

Genevieve LeBlanc (Journalist, Geek Girl Game Guide, Air Guitar champ)

She’s been called the Geek Girl, she’s been called The Phoenix and those who meet  Genevieve LeBlanc will realize within about five seconds that she’ll never be called dull. Let’s look at her creds, shall we? Writer, host of the Geek Girl Game Guide, radio personality, maker of mind-blowing cosplay creations, co-director of QueerCon. Oh yeah, she’s also the freakin’ 2017 Canadian Air Guitar Champion!

Dylan Black (Boom 99.7 / Rogers TV)

Vankleek Hill native Dylan Black is a workhorse. No, seriously. He tries to attend over 360 community events a year! Yeah, that’ll get you’re a “Best Community Builder” award nomination. A supporter of The Children’s Hospital, black has been a tireless fundraiser for them as well as The Children’s Wish Foundation. He continues to run a successful Movember campaign and his annual Birthday Extravaganza has netted nearly $10,000 for various other charities. His efforts have won him the “Humanitarian of the Year” award. Did we mention he is also an announcer on Boom 99.7? Does Dylan Black sleep?