Former CMW president resolves ‘miscommunication' with buyers that led to legal action
Neill Dixon filed a notice of action in Ontario court in March against Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group, which purchased Canadian Music Week last year and renamed it Departure Festival and Conference.
Dixon alleged the companies didn't live up to their side of the $2-million deal, but now says that was based on a miscommunication.
With the spat over, Dixon says he'll attend the festival where he'll receive and accept a lifetime achievement award.
The inaugural Departure event is set to begin Tuesday and run for six days, with celebrity speakers including pop duo Tegan and Sara, Arkells frontman Max Kerman and rocker Bryan Adams.
A representative for Departure says in an emailed statement that Dixon and the festival owners are 'in complete agreement on the sale and transition of the business.'
'All parties agree that what matters is the amicable solution that we have collectively arrived at,' the statement reads.
Loft Entertainment was co-founded by Randy Lennox, the former head of Bell Media and past Canadian record label executive. Oak View is a Denver-based company that recently opened offices in Toronto.
The four-day CMW launched in the early 1980s and built a reputation as one of the music scene's leading industry events, hosting conferences, awards shows and live performances.
Since buying CMW last year, the event's new owners have rebranded it as Departure Festival and Conference and expanded its scope to include standup comedy and technology.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Paul McCartney fans ‘gobsmacked' by ticket prices. Hamilton general admission seats sell out in about 15 minutes
In 1993, Suzette Beaugrand paid $39.50 for decent seats to see Paul McCartney in Toronto. She was 'gobsmacked' to learn the cheapest presale ticket for the former Beatle's Hamilton show in November she could find was a $650 'nosebleeds' seat. On Tuesday, available presale tickets ranged in price from about $1,800 to $3,500, with reseller prices as high as $17,000. McCartney is opening the renovated TD Coliseum on Nov. 21. 'I was deflated,' said Beaugrand, 70. 'I am a senior citizen on a fixed income and no way can I afford those prices.' Some Hamiltonians say they're frustrated by what one Redditor called 'overpriced' seats for the Nov. 21 concert at the renovated TD Coliseum . Hamilton, one of just two Canadian cities getting a performance, will be the second-last stop on the Got Back tour after shows in places ranging from Palm Desert, Calif., to New Orleans, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and finally Chicago. General public tickets for the Nov. 21 show, which went on sale Friday at 10 a.m., were priced between $52.50 and $4,135.90, not including VIP or hotel packages, Ticketmaster said online. Tickets appeared to be sold out by about 10:15 a.m. The Spectator joined the queue for tickets to the Nov. 21 show, and at 10:02 a.m. there were more than 3,200 people ahead waiting for tickets. Wait times, according to the seller, 'may exceed one hour.' Suzette Beaugrand recently found a ticket stub from a 1993 Paul McCartney concert in Toronto, priced at $39.50. On reseller StubHub , tickets were being resold for $685 for a single seat with a 'limited or obstructed view' and up to $14,754 for VIP seating on Friday afternoon. To celebrate his 69th birthday on Nov. 21, longtime fans Marvin Mauer and his wife had planned to go to the show with friends. But by the time they made it to the front of the virtual line, the only seats left together cost thousands of dollars — more than the agreed upon $350 to $400 ceiling, he said. Tickets for the Nov. 21 show go on sale next week. Less expensive seats were singles, in the upper sections or had obstructed views and were still above budget. 'The tickets were just ridiculous,' he said. The couple, whose Dundas home is filled with Beatles memorabilia, records and art works, including a four-by-six-foot painting of John Lennon, have seen the star perform a handful of times, including in Hamilton in 2016 as part of his One on One tour, his only other show in the city. Mauer said they paid between $200 and $250 the for 100-level seats with a view the last time they saw him play. As a kid, Beaugrand would tuck a transistor radio under her pillow at night to listen to the Beatles. Then she started buying 45s and, later, albums. Of the generation that grew up on the Beatles, Beaugrand idolized McCartney, who co-wrote songs like 'Hey Jude,' 'Yesterday' and 'All My Loving.' 'It was a magical time,' she said. She's since seen McCartney live twice, and George Harrison once in 1974. A self-described groupie, she chased down McCartney's bus at his last Hamilton show and got a wave. She'd seen him play in Toronto the year before and couldn't justify the expense. This fall, he'll be performing mere kilometres from her Westdale home, but she won't get to see him perform. (Though she may try her shot at getting her 1993 stub autographed.) 'I would so love to see him one last time,' she said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Tariffs leading to less selection, higher prices for holiday shopping
With summer in full swing in the United States, retail executives are sweating a different season. It's less than 22 weeks before Christmas, a time when businesses that make and sell consumer goods usually nail down their holiday orders and prices. But President Donald Trump's vacillating trade policies, part of his effort to revive the nation's diminished manufacturing base and to reduce the U.S. deficit in exported goods, have complicated those end-of-year plans. Balsam Hill, which sells artificial trees and other decorations online, expects to publish fewer and thinner holiday catalogs because the featured products keep changing with the tariff — import tax — rates the president sets, postpones and revises. 'The uncertainty has led us to spend all our time trying to rejigger what we're ordering, where we're bringing it in, when it's going to get here,' Mac Harman, CEO of Balsam Hill parent company Balsam Brands, said. 'We don't know which items we're going to have to put in the catalog or not.' Months of confusion over which foreign countries' products may become more expensive to import has left a question mark over the holiday shopping season. U.S. retailers often begin planning for the winter holidays in January and typically finalize the bulk of their orders by the end of June. The seesawing tariffs already have factored into their calculations. The consequences for consumers? Stores may not have the specific gift items customers want come November and December. Some retail suppliers and buyers scaled back their holiday lines rather than risking a hefty tax bill or expensive imports going unsold. Businesses still are setting prices but say shoppers can expect many things to cost more, though by how much depends partly on whether Trump's latest round of 'reciprocal' tariffs kicks in next month. The lack of clarity has been especially disruptive for the U.S. toy industry, which sources nearly 80% of its products from China. American toy makers usually ramp up production in April, a process delayed until late May this year after the president put a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, according to Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of the Toy Association, an industry trade group. The late start to factory work in China means holiday toys are only now arriving at U.S. warehouses, industry experts said. A big unknown is whether tariffs will keep stores from replenishing supplies of any breakout hit toys that emerge in September, said James Zahn, editor-in-chief of the trade publication Toy Book. In the retail world, planning for Christmas in July usually involves mapping out seasonal marketing and promotion strategies. Dean Smith, who co-owns independent toy stores JaZams in Princeton, New Jersey, and Lahaska, Pennsylvania, said he recently spent an hour and a half running through pricing scenarios with a Canadian distributor because the wholesale cost of some products increased by 20%. Increasing his own prices that much might turn off customers, Smith said, so he explored ways to 'maintain a reasonable margin without raising prices beyond what consumers would accept.' He ordered a lower cost Crazy Forts building set so he would have the toy on hand and left out the kids' edition of the Anomia card game because he didn't think customers would pay what he would have to charge. 'In the end, I had to eliminate half of the products that I normally buy,' Smith said. Hilary Key, owner of The Toy Chest in Nashville, Indiana, said she tries to get new games and toys in early most years to see which ones she should stock up on for the winter holidays. This year, she abandoned her product testing for fear any delayed orders would incur high import taxes. Meanwhile, vendors of toys made in China and elsewhere bombarded Key with price increase notices. For example, Schylling, which makes Needoh, Care Bear collectibles and modern versions of nostalgic toys like My Little Pony, increased prices on orders by 20%, according to Key. All the price hikes are subject to change if the tariff situation changes again. Key worries her store won't have as compelling a product assortment as she prides herself on carrying. The retail industry may have to keep taking a whack-a-mole approach to navigating the White House's latest tariff ultimatums and temporary reprieves. Last week, the president again reset the rates on imports from Brazil, the European Union, Mexico, and other major trading partners but said they would not take effect until Aug. 1. The brief pause should extend the window importers have to bring in seasonal merchandise at the current baseline tariff of 10%. The Port of Los Angeles had the busiest June in its 117-year history after companies raced to secure holiday shipments, and July imports look strong so far, according to Gene Seroka, the port's executive director. 'In my view, we're seeing a peak season push right now to bring in goods ahead of potentially higher tariffs later this summer,' Seroka said Monday. Smith, who co-owns the two JaZams stores with his partner, Joanne Farrugia, said they started placing holiday orders two months earlier than usual for 'certain items that we felt were essential for us to have at particular pricing.' They doubled their warehouse space to store the stockpile. But some shoppers are trying to get ahead of higher prices just like businesses are, he said. He's noticed customers snapping up items that will likely be popular during the holidays, like Jellycat plush toys and large stuffed unicorns and dogs. Any sales are welcome, but Smith and Farrugia are wary of having to restock at a higher cost. 'We're just trying to be as friendly as we can to the consumer and still have a product portfolio or profile that is gonna meet the needs of all of our various customers, which is getting more and more challenging by the day,' Smith said. D'Innocenzio and Anderson write for the Associated Press.
Time Business News
4 hours ago
- Time Business News
Pharma & Research Laboratories in Canada
Canada is recognized as a world leader in pharmaceutical research, development, and innovation. Highly equipped Pharmaceutical Laboratories and a regulatory structure that favours growth give the country a leading edge in medical and biotech advances. If you are a pharmaceutical company, healthcare provider, or a biotech start-up, the potential for partnerships with a reputable Canadian lab is both broad and profound. Pharmaceutical laboratories play a crucial role in developing safe and effective drugs and treatments for patients. These laboratories are key to: Conducting clinical research and trials. Developing new drugs and formulations. Maintaining compliance with quality standards and regulations. Advancing vaccine and biotechnology research. There are numerous reasons the world owes Pharma Laboratories a great debt for the company's significant contributions to public health. They are the unsung heroes of modern medicine, from cancer research to vaccine development. Lab Canada has been expanding at an unprecedented pace in the last few years. With strong government support, significant investment in research and development, and a highly skilled workforce, Canadian labs are making notable strides in pharmaceutical science. Canada is listed as one of the world's leaders in clinical trials, biologics research, and biotech innovation. The Canada lab has some of the best good manufacturing practices (GMP-compliant) and technology in the industry, which is unmatched anywhere. Many of these labs are also ISO-certified, meaning they adhere to international quality standards and maintain a safe testing environment. Most Canadian Pharmaceutical Laboratories Offer services that cater to all aspects of the pharmaceutical development cycle. These include: Analytical Services: Analysis for chemicals, stability testing, and testing of raw materials. Analysis for chemicals, stability testing, and testing of raw materials. Formulation: Dosage formulation including tablets, capsules, AND injectables, etc. Dosage formulation including tablets, capsules, AND injectables, etc. Microbiology Testing: Testing for harmful microorganisms in products. Testing for harmful microorganisms in products. Regulatory Submission: Supply relevant information for regulatory filings. Supply relevant information for regulatory filings. Bioavailability & Bioequivalence Studies: Efficacy of the drug being compared with the standard. From small batch testing to vast pharmaceutical manufacturing, be assured that Canadian Analytical Laboratories is our trusted partner in innovation and dependability. When choosing a laboratory, reliability, compliance, and innovation are non-negotiable. Here are some reasons why getting a Canadian lab is a good business decision: Elite Level Standards: Canadian labs comply with Health Canada & FDA standards. Canadian labs comply with Health Canada & FDA standards. Cutting-edge Technology: These laboratories are equipped with the best-of-breed tools, from AI-powered analytics to robotics automation. These laboratories are equipped with the best-of-breed tools, from AI-powered analytics to robotics automation. Expertise & Talent: With highly educated chemists, biologists, and lab techs, quality is a given. With highly educated chemists, biologists, and lab techs, quality is a given. Nut Data Integrity: Security and accuracy should be maintained in all testing activities. Security and accuracy should be maintained in all testing activities. Teamwork: Easily collaborate with research and manufacturing teams worldwide. Pharma Labs also services more than drug manufacturers. These include: Biotechnology Companies Healthcare Providers Nutraceutical Brands Academic and Research Institutions Veterinary Medicine Providers From diagnostics to commercial production, Laboratories Canada delivers tailored services to different industries. Laboratory needs continue to evolve in response to global health threats. Canada is investing heavily in AI for diagnostics, personalized medicine, and green chemistry. The future of Pharma Laboratories in Canada is bright, sustainable, and innovative. In today's fast-paced world, having the right partner can make all the difference when developing innovative pharmaceutical products. Pharma Laboratories Canada upholds the highest standards of quality, innovation, and compliance among its partnered drug developers and industry professionals in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors. Whether you're introducing a new drug or in the process of testing, having a Canadian laboratory means your project is in reliable hands. When it comes to Research and Development, Canada laboratory represents trust, effectiveness, and innovation. Q1. What are the services provided by Pharma Laboratories in Canada? A: They provide analytical testing, formulation development, microbiology testing, support for clinical trials, and regulatory consulting. Q2. Do Canadian laboratories meet the international standard? A: Yes, most Canadian labs comply with GMP, ISO certifications, and follow FDA and Health Canada regulations. Q3. How Do I Find the Best Canadian Lab for My Project? A: Look at lab accreditation, experience, technology, turnaround times, and customer reviews. Q4. Do foreign pharmaceutical companies support Canadian labs? A: Absolutely, Canadian labs frequently partner with overseas clients and provide comprehensive services, including logistics, documentation, and regulatory applications. Q5. These labs are only for drugs? A: No, they additionally cater to the biotechnology, nutraceuticals, academic research, and veterinary sectors. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
