January 6th, 2008

Top 3 Webnation episodes - Goodbye Citytv

Hi.  This past Friday I officially resigned from Citytv (I say "officially" because I resigned in October to pursue other freelance projects, but promises of hosting a national version of Webnation vs. doing daily news stories sucked me in and kept me around).  Last week Rogers decided they no longer want to do the show, but the offer to stay and do news stories was still on the table.  I walked.  OK, I ran, and maybe I jumped a little in excitement.  I'm just saying.  Freedom is a good thing, right?  There are more boring details to the departure, but just imagine a bad TV newsroom drama set in Toronto.

For the past couple of months I've been working part-time on a project for Tony Robbins (and having a blast), so I expect to do more of that in 2008 (and, of course, my podcasts are still going strong).  I am also keen to give Webnation life somewhere else, so if you're in the market for a new media news show with a dedicated online following and a (small but swift) die-hard team, email me.  The show also just won Top New Podcast Award for 2007 on iTunes, so we are all like proud parents (minus the diaper-changing part). 

I'm pasting my top three favourite Webnation episodes below, which include interviews with comedian Andy Samberg, sex blogger Violet Blue, and citizen journalist Josh Wolf.  I'd like to say that I'm posting them here so that you can all watch them again, but who am I kidding?!  As some of you know, creating a demo reel is a pain in the rear end, so this is my online resume of sorts.  FYI - my resume is here.

I am off to San Francisco this week for some TR work and meetings, should be fun to get back to my old stomping ground.  Thanks to everyone for all your Webnation support and link love. 

Oh, and a belated Happy New Year!  Let's have an awesome 2008.

-Amber xo

March 14th, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (48)

Posted by: Lamon | around 7 months ago

darn, i really liked webnation waiting for your new webnation like show and more commandns congrats on your escape from rogers claw :D

Posted by: Justin | around 7 months ago

Blogged it Amber, good on you for knowing when to walk away. Let me know if I can help at all. http://www.publicbroadcasting.ca/2008/01/amber-mac-says-goodbye-to-cityrogers.html Cheers! Justin

Posted by: Nate | around 7 months ago

Are Rogers crazy? I don't have a clue really (as I am in the UK) but odd stuff I have heard together with this news makes me think that they must be nucking futs ;-) If I had a TV station, Webnation will be on it. but then again, TV is dead to me... I don't need to wish you good luck as I think you will succeed in whatever you do :-) Take care though! Nate PS. You're No. 5 ;-) (Click my name)

Posted by: Christopher Knopick | around 7 months ago

Give Louderback a call at Revision3...He'd be an idiot not to work with you. I'm sure you'll succeed wherever you are. Good Luck.

Posted by: Chris Thomson | around 7 months ago

Congrats on leaving Rogers! :D It is sad that Webnation died. I really enjoyed it while it lasted.

Posted by: jccalhoun | around 7 months ago

best of luck in the new year!

Posted by: William Addington | around 7 months ago

Thats alot to digest but I think its great that you can walk away like that. As I build my career in media I hope I can build such control into where I work. You are setting a great example for young and old minds on having the career and control of it.

Posted by: evil jamez | around 7 months ago

If your going to San Fran you could probably sell a webnation/V2 show to Rev3

Posted by: Sujeet | around 7 months ago

I second that. San Francisco = Revision3 = WebNation's new host? Most answers stare you in the face, don't they?

Posted by: Jim H. Moreno | around 7 months ago

Agreed, I also like Webnation a lot, but I understand you gotta do whatcha gotta do! Also agreed, check into Rev3, I think it'd be a perfect fit. I'm gonna be in San Fran 13-15 this month, can I buy you coffee? :P

Posted by: Liam K | around 7 months ago

Agree with the Rev3 idea... would you ever be prepared to relocate?

Posted by: Ian Elsner | around 7 months ago

Your work is excellent, regardless of the medium, and freedom is a good thing. Nothing like starting the year off by gracefully diving off the platform of old media into the exciting, dynamic, crystal clear waters of the new. Best of luck where ever you go... I'm sure the splash will be great!

Posted by: Jeff McCord | around 7 months ago

Amber, I am sure 2008 will bring you more success than you have ever imagined. Whenever a door closes, another opens... right?! Happy 2008!

Posted by: Terry | around 7 months ago

Hi Amber, First Rogers definately seem to have lots the plot. But as you said you'd resigned as such in October, this was just the nail in the coffin. R3 does seem to be a perfect fit for webnation V2. I'm just counting how many regulars on Twit have not gone to R3? Lets see, Steve, Leo, and the cranky one, Oh, thats right John. You have the talent, industry knowledge and resume. I don't think you will need it, but good luck in 2008.

Posted by: Daniel Riddle | around 7 months ago

Congratulations Amber; Although it is sad to see Webnation go; i'm sure it will be back in some iteration or another, and I look forward to when it does. I'm sure my fix of N@N & CommandN will tie us all over! :D Can't wait until you tell us more about the TR social network experiment!! Sounds like you're off to a great 2008! Keep up the good work!!! -Dan

Posted by: Amber Mac | around 7 months ago

Thanks for the support! A fresh start is definitely a good thing. As for ops, I'm fairly open and getting more excited every day. -Amber

Posted by: Mark Evans | around 7 months ago

Albeit belatedly, I wanted to wish you bon chance! I'm sure there's a lot of great opportunities on the horizon! cheers, Mark

Posted by: Jim Brekke | around 7 months ago

How cool you walked....I mean ran! Now that's the attitude! Smart move.

Posted by: Sean Tierney | around 7 months ago

Amber, congrats on the departure. I just caught this on wired-> http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/12/YE_sexy_geeks they have a girl listed on there twice and conspicuously they left you off... wtf?? anyways, good luck in whatever's next. It must be killer to work w/ Tony Robins. He was a total inspiration before i got my first job and his TED Talk is amazing. sean

Posted by: Amber Mac | around 7 months ago

@Sean: Am still on the Wired list, cruising at #5 :).

Posted by: Chris Clarke | around 7 months ago

Best of luck, Amber. I'm sure your upcoming projects will be fun and exciting and keep you busy. Freedom is a great thing - enjoy it!

Posted by: sina | around 7 months ago

CityTV sucks anyway

Posted by: Mike Doeff | around 7 months ago

Amber, Citytv's loss will be another company's gain (Revision3?). Hope you have a nice time in San Francisco. Is there any chance that you and Leo can do a live recording of Net @ Nite while you're in SF?

Posted by: Paul | around 7 months ago

CityTV........WTF were you thinking

Posted by: Alana | around 7 months ago

Congrats Amber on moving on to bigger and better things. You knew this was the route you wanted to take and branch off on your own and now you can. I was glad to see you if even for a minute over the holidays and I hope to catch up again soon. xo

Posted by: Matt Andrews | around 7 months ago

I too am sad to see webnation go. I also have the same thoughts as to considering Rev3. Though my Canadian Pride would prefer that you stayed in Canada as the shows base. They do shoot the TRS show in LA dont they? Since you have your own capible crew and editing, Im sure an arrangement could be made. Rev3 seems to be growing with a lot of the better internet faces and mind currently out there and adding someone of your talent and ability would only improve the movement. Anyways best of luck in the new year, Keep pumping out Command N as its also a fav of mine and let me know if you are going to do a Sudbury show, Id love to meet the group.

Posted by: Dave | around 7 months ago

Hey Amber, best of luck with your new endeavors. If you end up going back down to SF area for a while, I hope you'll still come back for frequent visits to the GTA. :) Whatever happens, as the comments on this post clearly show, your fans/friends are behind you.

Posted by: steve | around 7 months ago

Best of luck in your next quest! No worries because all your fans are here to support you! I am sure that everyone is so glad to see you leave the old media behind.

Posted by: Paul Cyopick | around 7 months ago

Seems like Rogers not only throttles the internet, but innovative television as well.

Posted by: Jason Dyok | around 7 months ago

Webnation was a great show. Good luck to you! I'm sure greater things are yet to come!

Posted by: Guinevere | around 7 months ago

Come to CBC!

Posted by: ckrantz | around 7 months ago

Best of luck amber. Will be looking forward to see your next project. It's Rogers loss. Whatever you do you have loyal fans that support you.

Posted by: rogersuscks | around 7 months ago

Why wasn;'t webnation on Disocvery Channel ? more repoeats. more money. more promotion. join the digg team somwhow and do some videos for them 2 years you'll be a big superstar in the USA in the mainstream media.. CNN ?

Posted by: Skot | around 7 months ago

I'm going to miss this show. This bit of news is making a few waves, eh? I'm not alone apparently! http://www.digg.com/search?s=amber+macarthur&submit=Search&section=all&type=both&area=all&sort=score

Posted by: Sean Tierney | around 7 months ago

my bad! you are on the Wired list- but losing to the hot for words girl... really?? that just isn't right. btw, just noticed we're on the homepage of Command N right now with JumpBox. Thanks for the mention! sean

Posted by: Matt | around 7 months ago

Yes Amber! Did you hear what Guinevere said? Go to the CBC. Stay in Toronto! Ahh, who am I kidding. Good luck in your endeavors. Have a blast with it. Matt

Posted by: Micah Erskine | around 7 months ago

Hey Amber, congrats on getting out from under Rogers/City! I'm really looking forward to "happier/free Amber" on N@N. As others have pointed out you've got lots of talent, enthusiasm, and OPTIONS! :-) Cheers, Micah

Posted by: Fredrik Gyllensten | around 7 months ago

I loved Net@Nite.. Why not make something simular with twit?

Posted by: spuds | around 7 months ago

Well it is most definitely Rogers loss. You are better off without them Amber.

Posted by: TerminalDigit | around 7 months ago

Congrats on making your decision final, Amber. Very courageous. Best of luck to you in finding a new home for Webnation! Keep us informed. :)

Posted by: matt | around 7 months ago

Please go back to blond.

Posted by: shameyreed | around 7 months ago

Sorry to hear that your show is going dark. To be honest I was only a sometime watcher- I still prefer audio aka Net@night...most video shows still seem so slow compared to audio- even Webnation-- the interviews always seemed so awkward compared to your conversations with Leo, do you know what I mean? BTW you definitely jumped the shark with the Gene Simmons episode ;). kidding, best of luck. I'm looking forward to your next project.

Posted by: Sachin | around 7 months ago

congratulations on starting out on your own! Hope to do something together with you SOME day.

Posted by: Gabriel Liendo | around 7 months ago

I VOTE REV3!

Posted by: Darren | around 7 months ago

Hi Amber, I just watched the video about what you went through recently at the Digital Journal and I'm so sorry to hear about all this. I always love hearing your voice and watching your reports. I hope that you will find a place on the web again soon for your work. I agree with you about the whole network thing. It reminds me of newspapers and magazines as well. Such a waste of energy in a way. Life can be much simpler. Peace

Posted by: Tony Fendall | around 7 months ago

Speaking of net@nite, I think I'm getting a bad case of withdrawal here...

Posted by: Peter O'Connel | around 7 months ago

Amber- Change is constant. Change is good. Enjoy the ride. Best always, -Peter

Posted by: Randy | around 7 months ago

Amber, Just FYI, Russell Harrower's, net@night Vista Widget not working. Who is Russell Harrower??..... Love any show your in, and the new hair!