Canadian Ethnic Media Association

CEMA threw a celebratory dinner for its Chair, Madeline Ziniak, National Vice-President at OMNI-TV, in honour of Madeline receiving an Order of Canada award, the highest civlian award in this country.  She was singled out for her contribution to multilingual television and her support for the ethnic media. Here are some photos in a slideshow from the dinner held on July 23, 2009, at the Pearl Restaurant in Toronto’s Harbourfront district. Place your cursor on any  image to stop the slideshow and view an individual picture. Use the + or – sign in the bottom left corner to speed up or slow down the slideshow. Photographers were Roy Virtue and Lisa Warner,  among others.

A long-time CEMA member and supporter, Renato Zane, has been promoted to the position of Vice President / General Manager for Citytv Vancouver and OMNI B.C. Renato’’s background of 25 years of journalism, production and managerial experience will be valuable in his new role.

Renato began his broadcasting career in 1984 as a reporter for the Italian News at CFMT (now OMNI Ontario) and over

Renato Zane

the next four years was promoted to Italian News Anchor then to Assistant News Director. From 1988 to 1994, Renato was the Producer for Incontri, a nightly Italian magazine show. Renato was then promoted to Director, News & Sports, a position he held until 2002, when he was promoted to Vice President, News for OMNI Television, his most recent position.

Renato has spent more than five years on the Board of Directors of the Radio-Television News Directors’ Association of Canada (RTNDA), serving as Treasurer, VP Television, and Chair of the RTNDA diversity committee. He received the association’’s distinguished service award in 2007.

Renato is married and has two children – one attending McGill University and the other attending University of British Columbia. Please join us in congratulating Renato and welcoming him to his new position.

A press release issued by OMNI-TV after the announement of the Order of Canada list  July 1, 2009

TORONTO (July 2, 2009) —– OMNI Television is pleased to announce that Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President of OMNI Television, is among 60 new appointments to  the Order of Canada,  our country’s highest civilian honour for lifetime achievement.

CEMA Chair Madeline Ziniak

The official announcement was made yesterday by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada; recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.

As Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.) – a designation which recognizes a lifetime of distinguished service in or to a particular community, group or field of activity — Madeline was cited for “her contributions as the major driving force behind the development and growth of multilingual and multicultural television in Canada.”

Madeline has received numerous community, government and industry honours for her dedication throughout her career.  In 2001, she was named to The Order of Ontario, in recognition of her commitment to multiculturalism and its expression through TV. (more…)