ABOUT
This 56-hour intensive program is designed to provide screen-based media professionals with the skills needed to excel as managers and entrepreneurs.
Benefits of this program include:
- Exclusive access to industry leaders and Toronto Metropolitan University faculty
- Recognition of Completion from G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Toronto Metropolitan University upon completion
- Friday/Saturday sessions to minimize out of office time
- Limited enrollment for a more intimate class size
Jointly developed by WIFT Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, the Corus Media Management Accelerator delivers essential management training focusing on six core competency areas: communications, financial literacy, marketing, organizational behaviour, project management, and strategic planning.
Successful participants will receive a Recognition of Completion award from the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University. Receipt of the award is determined by attendance and the completion of assignments.
This program will be delivered in person, at Corus University (Corus Quay).
Watch our Info Session here!
DATES
Opening for Applications: Tuesday August 8, 2023
Deadline for Applications: Friday September 22, 2023 (11:59pm EDT)
Deadline for Bursary Applications: Friday September 22, 2023 (11:59pm EDT)
Click here for information on how to apply for a bursary.
Dates for 2023 Program:
- Friday/Saturday October 13 & 14
- Friday/Saturday October 20 & 21
- Friday/Saturday November 3 & 4
- Friday/Saturday November 10 & 11
* Sessions are 9:30am - 4:30pm, all days.
ELIGIBILITY
This program is open to WIFT Toronto members and non-members, and is recommended for anyone looking to make their first foray into a management position (or someone who has recently made that leap), and 5+ years’ experience in the media industry. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of accomplishments and demonstrated work progression.
Unsure if you meet the criteria? Inquire with Jennifer Dufton, Program Assistant at, progassist@test-cchwebsites.com.
FEES
NOTE: The following fees only apply to those accepted into the program.
WIFT Toronto Members: $1595 +HST
Non-Members: $1895 +HST
There is also a $25 + HST application fee.
WIFT Toronto members get a 25% discount on all Professional Development programming.
A payment plan is available upon request. Contact Jennifer Dufton (progassist@test-cchwebsites.com) for details.
SESSIONS
Program Sessions run on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30am - 4:30pm.
SESSION 1: FINDING YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE
Dr. Wilson Leung Director, Graduate Leadership Institute Yeates School of Graduate Studies Lecturer, Leadership Development Chang School of Continuing Education
Understanding and applying the essential leadership and soft skills are critical for positive management impact. In this session, you will learn how to develop a management style that works effectively with different people and situations. Topics to be discussed include: emotional intelligence, situational leadership, conflict, and negotiation, along with other vital aspects. Development tools such as Myers- Briggs Type Indicator will also be explored and integrated.
SESSION 2: COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND SKILLS
Veronica Chail-Gupta, M.A. Journalist, Communications Strategist, Public Speaker
This session will focus on advanced communication techniques with a senior level focus. Participants will explore interpersonal, oral, and written communication techniques, helpful for a variety of management situations. Best practices, in addition to case studies, exercises and practical tips, are interwoven into the Saturday, October 14. 2023
session to reinforce the hands-on content. This session will also review the role of Artificial Intelligence. The impact of AI is shrinking content creation in various industries. The use of it in news and publicity is "redefining" the idea of authenticity. We will look at how AI is reshaping the media industry and how it is transforming the way we connect and communicate.
SESSION 3: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR
Organizational Behaviour is a field of study that investigates 3 interdependent systems: the individual (micro-level of analysis); the group/interpersonal relationships in organizations (meso-level of analysis); the organization and its environment (macro-level of analysis) so as to understand, explain, predict and influence human behavior. It covers an extensive range of topics:
- at the micro level – personality, values, perception, attitudes, emotions, motivation, decision-making, creativity & stress
- at the meso level – team dynamics, communication, power, leadership, negotiation, conflict & decision-making
- at the macro level – organizational structure, culture and change
Human Resources Management is a field of study that aims to improve the productive contribution of individuals and teams while trying to simultaneously attain organizational, societal and individual goals.
This session will focus on advanced communication techniques with a senior level focus. Participants explore interpersonal, oral, and written communication techniques, helpful for a variety of management situations. Best practices, in addition to case studies and practical tips, are interwoven into the session to reinforce the hands-on content.
SESSION 4: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Jerry Kafieh, Project Management Instructor, Toronto Metropolitan University
People have been managing projects since the first human endeavored to accomplish something new or different. Common fundamental approaches underpin all effective project deliveries whether the project is hosting the Pan-Am Games, constructing a building, developing a vaccine, or planning a wedding.This one day project management course engages participants through dynamic lecture presentations,exercises, and discussions designed to highlight workplace applications. The course provides a combination of essential theoretical and applied project management learnings. Participants learn simple tips and techniques that can be leveraged immediately in organizations to enhance project delivery.
SESSION 5: MARKETING STRATEGIES
Paul Gillespie, General Manager, County Brewco; Adjunct Professor - Ted Rogers School of Business Management, Toronto Metropolitan University
This session will focus on the marketing planning process, segmentation, targeting and positioning, growth strategies and competitive advantage. We will explore how firms, brands and individuals can plan their marketing efforts, use branding efforts to distinguish themselves from competition, and grow their business.
SESSION 6: THE BIG PICTURE
Phil Walsh, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University
The Big Picture exposes students to the concepts,frameworks and applications of strategic management in light of a rapidly changing industry environment (consolidation, the advent of artificial intelligence in content creation and the redefinition of the idea of authenticity) which now requires individuals and organizations to be flexible and pivoting. Students will be exposed to external and internal analysis frameworks, corporate responsibility and sustainability, scenario planning and developing a strategic roadmap that addresses the managerial issues arising from industry change.
SESSION 7: UNDERSTANDING THE NUMBERS
Brad McMaster, Adjunct Lecturer, Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University
It’s no secret that modern managers are expected to be both tech- and social media-savvy; but, being financially savvy has always been a requirement. Most managers and every business owner will ultimately have some degree of accountability for a business entity’s financial performance. Yet, rarely doorganizations provide training in financial management and the majority of university courses in accounting or finance that are requirements for general business students are inadequate in terms of developing their abilities to use financial information in decision-making effectively. In this session, you will learn what drives the need for financial information for key stakeholders and their primary criteria for evaluating business performance.We will explore the most common and comprehensive source of reliable financial information – an entity’s financial statements. Using a proprietary method of deconstruction (‘Macblocks’), we will focus on key data and develop key metrics for assessing a business’ financial performance. Building on this knowledge and capability, we will switch to a synthesis perspective to develop insights and extract meaning from the financial statements as a focus for how to improve business outcomes.
SESSION 8: INDUSTRY FORWARD
Hear about new trends, technologies and various topics of discussion from a panel of notable industry leaders.