Everything about Dragons’ Den, eh?

Brian Scudamore is Canada’s newest investor on CBC’s Dragon’s Den

From a media release:

CBC today announced that 1-800-GOT-JUNK? founder and CEO Brian Scudamore will join DRAGONS’ DEN for Season 19. The visionary behind one of Canada’s most recognizable brands and the world’s largest junk removal company, Scudamore enters the Den ready to infuse the entrepreneurial landscape with his wealth of expertise and experience. Fans of Dragons’ Den can stream seasons 6 through 18 on the free CBC Gem streaming service.

A high school dropout, at 18 years old Scudamore ventured into the world of business – buying a $700 pickup truck to start a one-man junk removal service in Vancouver. Fast forward thirty-five years, and today that business has become a global success with 174 franchises across Canada, the US and Australia. Scudamore didn’t stop there, expanding his franchise business model into painting and home detailing, launching WOW 1 DAY PAINTING and Shack Shine under the umbrella company O2E Brands, which has been named one of Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces. Together, Brian’s portfolio of companies has given hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to turn their business dreams into reality. 

“I’m excited to be joining the team of Dragons on this iconic show that has impacted so many people,” said Scudamore. “I’ve been a huge fan of the show since the beginning and so I’m excited to play even a small role in an iconic show that helps inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs in Canada!”

“With Brian Scudamore taking a seat on the panel this year, the show gains not only a seasoned, well-known entrepreneur, but also a mentor committed to nurturing the country’s next generation of great innovators,” said Jennifer Dettman, Executive Director, Unscripted Content, CBC. “His presence enriches the Den’s dynamic, offering invaluable expertise and inspiration to Canadian audiences and aspiring entrepreneurs.”

As an advocate for up-and-coming talent, Scudamore has contributed as a board member for the Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO) and authored two best-selling books on entrepreneurship: “WTF?! (Willing to Fail): How Failure Can Be Your Key to Success” and “BYOB: Build Your Own Business, Be Your Own Boss.” His achievements also include receiving the Fortune Small Business’ Best Bosses Award and the prestigious Best Company to Work For award, which he has won three times. He has been honoured in The Globe and Mail’s Top 40 Under 40 list and recognized by the International Franchise Association as an Entrepreneur of the Year.

Scudamore joins Arlene Dickinson, Wes Hall, Manjit Minhas and Michele Romanow, as Robert Herjavec and Vincenzo Guzzo depart the Den. 

Herjavec was one of the original Dragons back in 2006. After departing the series for a decade, he returned for two seasons, coinciding with his family’s move back to Canada. While he is a staunch supporter of Canadian entrepreneurs, his business priorities have him stepping back from doing more television. 

“As I reflect on my return to Dragons’ Den, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to champion Canadian entrepreneurship,” says Herjavec. “I’ll forever cherish the experience shared and the connections made, and I’m excited to see the continued impact of the Den on future entrepreneurs.”

Guzzo’s departure from the series marks the end of an incredible six season run, characterized by his unique blend of entrepreneurial insight and captivating charisma. Moving forward, he will be focusing on his children and businesses, as he prepares for the next generation of Guzzos to take on the world. 

“I am truly grateful for the incredible six-year journey on Dragons’ Den, and extend my thanks to my fellow Dragons, amazing entrepreneurs, and the viewers who made this experience unforgettable,” said Guzzo. “A parting thought: if they tell you it’s impossible, make sure to prove them wrong. It’s the fuel you need to keep going when you are thinking of giving up. Keep dreaming, innovating and making things happen!” 

Production on Season 19 of DRAGONS’ DEN’s will begin later this spring at CBC in Toronto. Molly Middleton and Amy Bourne are Senior Producers. 

Image courtesy of Jeff Topham.

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marblemedia goes into development on a new scripted television drama adaptation of business mogul, Arlene Dickinson’s bestselling book Persuasion

From a media release:

marblemedia is expanding its primetime slate by going into development on a new one-hour drama series, Persuasion, based on the national best-selling business book from powerhouse Canadian entrepreneur and TV personality, Arlene Dickinson.

Featuring a cast and creative team of empowered women, both behind and in front of the cameras, this brand-new series will take a much different approach than other scripted series about business. Instead of showcasing the ruthless underbelly of business where the end justifies the means, Persuasion will take inspiration from Dickinson’s determination, dedication, tenacity and brilliance in her rise to success to dramatize a fresh & powerful approach to being effective in business.

marblemedia has optioned the rights to Persuasion, published by HarperCollins. Dickinson will serve as an executive producer on the series, her first scripted television series, along with marblemedia’s Matthew Hornburg, Mark Bishop and Carrie Paupst Shaughnessy, and Alexandra Zarowny is attached to write and executive produce.

Inspired by Arlene Dickinson’s book of the same name, the fictional series will explore the exhilarating high-octane, fast-paced world of marketing, public relations, and entrepreneurship where, through a dynamic and diverse cast of characters, the battle to do business ethically and honestly is fought every day. Through the lens of Rachel Nicholson’, a tough, fiery, innovative marketing mastermind, and her team at Trailblazer, we join Rachel as she journeys through two different periods of her life – as a tenacious young mother with no formal education in the 1990s, and a marketing maven and celebrity in present day. The series recognizes women’s leadership and the power of their unstoppable influence – motivating others around them, breaking glass ceilings and paving their own path – all while lifting up and setting the example for the next generation.

Best-selling author, investor and renowned entrepreneur, Arlene Dickinson is widely recognized for her role as a ‘Dragon’ on the multi-award-winning television series, Dragons’ Den. Arlene is also an inductee in Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Hall of Fame, amongst many other accolades. Arlene has become an icon for doing business with integrity.

“I am humbled and thrilled to be working with Arlene, a personal hero of mine who continues to smash through glass ceilings. Her rise from rock bottom to renowned business maverick is truly inspiring.” adds Alexandra Zarowny, writer and executive producer. “Persuasion will be filled with do-or-die drama and revel in the aspirational glamour of a woman who achieved success and power while remaining true to herself and her ideals.”

Most recently, Zarowny served as an Executive Producer and Showrunner on Global’s popular Private Eyes starring Jason Priestly and Cindy Sampson. Other producing credits include CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries and Republic of Doyle, Showcase’s Lost Girl and Syfy’s Wynonna Earp.

Persuasion joins marblemedia’s previously announced adaptation of The Other Boy, a best-selling novel by M.G. Hennessey, and Holding Still, a Toronto-set novel by celebrated author, poet and screenwriter, Zoe Whittall. These projects will all foster a new generation of stories driven by perspectives that need to be shared, heard and celebrated.

About marblemedia 
A global award-winning media company, marblemedia is anchored in original storytelling, innovation, and content that celebrates unique characters and perspectives through an inspiring lens. In addition to their critically acclaimed competition series and renowned award-winning family content, the leading production company is forging their way into the scripted television space by expanding their repertoire of scripted series with a handful of new acquisitions.

Founded in 2001 by co-CEOs Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg with a vision of creativity, partnership and innovation, the company has offices in Toronto, London and L.A., with a 50-acre production facility located 90 minutes north of Toronto.

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CBC welcomes Wes Hall to Dragons’ Den for Season 16; Jim Treliving and Lane Merrifield depart

From a media release:

CBC today announced that a new Dragon will enter the Den for Season 16 of DRAGONS’ DEN. Wes Hall, Executive Chairman and Founder of Kingsdale Advisors and Founder and Chairman of The BlackNorth Initiative, brings a diverse range of expertise to the Den. Recently named to Maclean’s Power List ranking of the 50 most powerful people in Canada, Hall is an innovator and entrepreneur who is revered as one of Canada’s preeminent power brokers.

Hall strives to be a positive influence for emerging entrepreneurs. As a child in rural Jamaica, he was raised by his grandmother; he moved to Canada at 16, and set himself on track to become one of the most influential business people in Canada. As the Executive Chairman and Founder of Kingsdale Advisors, he has delivered an unparalleled track record of success leading some of the highest profile deals and activist campaigns in North America. Most recently, Hall made headlines when he founded The BlackNorth Initiative, which he believes can end anti-Black systemic racism by using a “business-first mindset” to create more opportunities for Blacks and all of those in the BIPOC community across Canada.

Hall joins Arlene Dickinson, Michele Romanow, Manjit Minhas and Vincenzo Guzzo, as beloved longtime Dragon Jim Treliving and virtual game changer Lane Merrifield depart the Den. After 15 seasons and an incredible history of betting on winners, Treliving plans to focus on his role as Chairman of Boston Pizza International, in addition to remaining active with his other commitments as a business advisor, investor, entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist. Having recently sold his latest venture FreshGrade to the California company behind the world’s largest network of Montessori schools, Merrifield will be taking a sabbatical to enjoy some time focused on travel and adventures with his children.

“I have so much gratitude for the production team at CBC. As the first Dragon signed to the show, I have been so fortunate to have developed great friendships with my fellow Dragons and CBC staff,” said Treliving. “To the viewers of the show, I can’t thank you enough for your support and kindness over the years.”

“Our thanks to Jim and Lane for their commitment to Canadian entrepreneurs,” added Dettman. Once a Dragon, always a Dragon – and while we will miss them in the Den, we look forward to seeing what they do next.”

Hall’s track record extends beyond the corporate boardroom as well. As an entrepreneur, Hall is the owner of QM Environmental, a leading national environmental and industrial services provider with over 450 employees; he owns Titan Supply, a top manufacturer and distributor of rigging and wear products serving industries in the oil and gas, construction and transportation sectors; and Harbor Club hotel, one of St. Lucia’s premier resorts. He’s also a proud investor and supporter of many burgeoning small businesses.

Additionally, Hall is an instructor at the Rotman School of Management of the University of Toronto, where he teaches Black Entrepreneurship & Leadership in Canada, a first-of-its-kind course in North America that provides students with a deep understanding of the systemic anti-Black racism faced by Black entrepreneurs, the cultural impacts and how to navigate the system.

Known for his generosity, Hall leverages his business success to benefit others with a number of impactful charitable initiatives and serves as a Board Member with the SickKids Foundation, Pathways to Education, Toronto International Film Festival, and most recently, The Black Academy. He is the Founder and Chairman of The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism and The BlackNorth Initiative, committed to the removal of anti-Black systemic barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians.

Production on Season 16 of DRAGONS’ DEN’s will begin later this spring at CBC in Toronto. Tracie Tighe is executive producer and Molly Middleton and Amy Bourne are senior producers. Dianne Buckner hosts.

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2020-21 Canadian TV season renewal scorecard

Well, things are just a little bit different this time around. With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on television production around the world, the Canadian networks—like others—have been a little late in announcing their primetime schedules.

But they’re gradually doing that, so we’ve put together a handy list of what will air between the summer of 2020 and the end of spring in 2021.

Check back often to see if your favourites have been renewed; we’ll be updating this list as we get more information.

Renewed

APTN
Tribal
Tribal Police Files
The Other Side

Tribal

CBC
Still Standing
Murdoch Mysteries
Frankie Drake Mysteries
Workin’ Moms
Baroness Von Sketch Show (final season)
Heartland
The Nature of Things
Marketplace
The Fifth Estate
Battle of the Blades
Family Feud Canada
Just for Laughs: Galas
Ha!ifax Comedy Fest
You Can’t Ask That
Coroner
Kim’s Convenience
Tallboyz
Dragons’ Den
22 Minutes
The Great Canadian Baking Show
Diggstown
Burden of Truth

Tallboyz

Citytv
Hudson & Rex

CTV
Corner Gas Animated
JANN (renewed for Season 3)
The Amazing Race Canada
Transplant
MasterChef Canada: Back to Win

Crave
Letterkenny
Canada’s Drag Race

Discovery
Heavy Rescue: 401
Disasters at Sea
Highway Thru Hell

Nurses

Food Network Canada
Big Food Bucket List
Carnival Eats
Wall of Chefs
Great Chocolate Showdown 
Junior Chef Showdown 
Fire Masters
The Big Bake 

Global
Nurses 
Private Eyes
Big Brother Canada
Departure

Backyard Builds

HGTV Canada
Backyard Builds 
Island of Bryan 
Property Brothers: Forever Home 
Scott’s Vacation House Rules  
Save My Reno 

History
Vikings (final season)
Rust Valley Restorers  
History Erased 
Salvage Kings 

Netflix
Another Life

Omni
Second Jen
Blood and Water

T+E
Hotel Paranormal
Haunted HospitalsFacebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Arlene Dickinson helps Canadians invest in small businesses in CBC’s Under New Management

I’m a fan of Arlene Dickinson. Amid what seems like a cacophony of negativity on Twitter, she stands out with her positive vibes every morning. The outlook carries over to her latest television project as well.

Under New Management, bowing Friday at 8:30 p.m. on CBC, catches up with the venture capitalist and Dragons’ Den investor as she aids aspiring business buyers in their quest to find a great investment. In Friday’s debut, that’s NBA veteran Cory Joseph and his sister, Danielle. The pair are looking to buy a restaurant—he recognizes he won’t be on the court forever and wants to build a nest egg—but finding just the right place is difficult. That’s where Dickinson shines, not just with her advice but a property twist that throws the siblings for a loop.

We spoke to Arlene Dickinson late last year about Under New Management.

Under New Management is the way that I want to see Dragons’ Den go sometimes, to follow after the deal’s been done. I know it’s not like Dragons’ Den in that way, but I do like seeing you working on these deals. How did the idea come about? Was it an idea that was pitched to you?
Arlene Dickinson: It was an idea that was pitched to me, and it was pitched to me by a producer that I knew. He and I started talking about this. He said, ‘I really thought of you when I wrote this concept.’ He talked to me about it. I thought, ‘Man! This is just something I really relate to.’ And I loved the idea of it, which is understanding what people’s dreams are and then helping them realize it.

Was it you or the producers that decided the projects and the people that you were going to meet?
AD: People submitted their names and there were a lot of online applications. We went out and did a casting call and asked people if they were looking for businesses. I believe Corey and Danielle were found through somebody who knew about the show. They knew that Corey and Danielle were looking for a business and then suggested they apply, so they did.

Corey is so smart recognizing that he’s been in the NBA for a certain number of years and knows that at any time in sports anything can happen. An injury can take you out and he’s planning for the future.
AD: I think that a lot of athletes and people who count on their physicality in order to make a living can find themselves injured or their careers are very limited in terms of how long. Very few play past 40 unless they’re in golf. I know a lot of athletes, pro athletes who have no idea what they’re going to do. They hadn’t thought of the future.

It was really interesting to see them going through the process, going to the small restaurant, going to the large restaurant. It’s one thing for Danielle to say, ‘Oh, I really like this and I’m passionate about it,’ but it’s quite another to envision her running a small restaurant or a large restaurant. Restaurants go under all the time because people don’t have that business savvy.
AD: I’m glad that you picked up on that because I think that’s the nuance of the show, which is you really have to start to understand that these people that are on the show are going through a real journey. They’re going from, ‘I can’t wait to do this,’ to the reality of ‘Oh, I never thought about doing that every day. That’s what it means to own a restaurant or that’s what you have to do.’ I feel like they go on this amazing journey of highs and lows. Then they come out the other side with something that maybe not expect it. In their case, we showed them something that they didn’t expect.

When people tune in to watch these episodes, what do you want them to get out of it? Obviously, there’s the entertainment value but is there something you want them to learn and to consider in their own lives?
AD: I think at the heart of the show is this notion of hope and aspiration that we all have aspirations. We all want to do something interesting and meaningful in our lives. Many people in today’s world are thinking, ‘Well maybe I should start my own business. Maybe I should go and think about this differently.’ I want people to understand that the answer might not be obvious to you right now. Often, I get asked, ‘What should I do? I want to run a business but I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what I like.’

I say, pick something. Go through a process and make something. Just start. Just start. You can evolve into other businesses. You don’t have to get stuck with something. If you make a smart choice, you learn from it and you can go on and find exactly what it is you’re passionate about. I hope people feel inspired to go and try something they’ll love.

Under New Management airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

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