The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Canadian Music Week Sale Did Not Go Well

**Posted by Stinand** March 22, 2025 3:20 pm

Having worked alongside Neill Dixon for over 20 years, I've witnessed both his strengths and weaknesses—after all, we all have our quirks! But I truly believe he’s a stand-up guy, and the Canadian music industry owes him a great debt of gratitude. He deserves to be treated betterRegarding my experiences with the newly rebranded CMW owners, they haven’t quite met my expectations. It seems that their decision to purchase and immediately change the brand speaks volumes about them.
https://ca.billboard.com/departure-festival-sued-neill-dixon?fbclid=IwY2xjawJL7G5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdgUhhFg80DW1g6he1C4txJAokZJ7yNRh5nnfnnHU0FxdwIwcdDhg_Ngcg_aem_72Uvgxk_D3WAW0bSGotzzw

**Posted by Doug Thompson** March 22, 2025 3:57 pm

Having attended dozens of Canadian Music Weeks and all of the RadioDaysNorth America that's attached to CMW, it does seem rather frivilous to change the name that's build up a very positive international reputation. And that rep was because of Neill Dixon and his team.

Changing the name to Departure makes it sound more like a travel agency or airline. But hey, he who pays the bucks (or in this case, some of the bucks), gets to make the rules.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** March 23, 2025 7:21 am

I agree with Doug Thompson and Binson Echorec, “Departure” is a terrible rebrand of CMW, does make it sound travel related. I also liked the fact that the old title used the word “Canadian”, it would go far these days!

**Posted by pinto** March 23, 2025 8:12 am

We shall call it... Edsel

**Posted by ig** March 23, 2025 8:42 am

Departure reeks of le grande fromage in a boardroom coming up with the stupid 'hip' name and everyone else sitting around oooing, clapping and smiling only to walk out into the corridor and say 'how fucking stupid is that'

Been there, done it. Sometimes, the paycheque is worth it.

And yes.. it's a stupid name.

**Posted by SpinningWheel** March 23, 2025 10:06 am

Shorty Wave wrote:
I agree with Doug Thompson and Binson Echorec, “Departure” is a terrible rebrand of CMW, does make it sound travel related. I also liked the fact that the old title used the word “Canadian”, it would go far these days!

It's an awful name and it looks like the new owners plan to change it's direction by "expanding the music event to also include comedy, tech, food and more." I wonder how long before someone comes up with an alternative that's exclusively about music again?

**Posted by betaylored** March 23, 2025 10:50 am

pinto wrote:
We shall call it... Edsel

We shall call it...Sankofa Square

**Posted by RadioAaron** March 23, 2025 10:55 am

SpinningWheel wrote:
Shorty Wave wrote:
I agree with Doug Thompson and Binson Echorec, “Departure” is a terrible rebrand of CMW, does make it sound travel related. I also liked the fact that the old title used the word “Canadian”, it would go far these days!

It's an awful name and it looks like the new owners plan to change it's direction by "expanding the music event to also include comedy, tech, food and more." I wonder how long before someone comes up with an alternative that's exclusively about music again?

NXNE.

Certainly understand CMW's need to broaden their scope though, but like SXSW has. The old paradigm of "travel to festival, play in clubs, get discovered, get famous" is pretty much dead. Music, on its own, is a much smaller part of culture than it was.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** March 23, 2025 9:28 pm

betaylored wrote:
pinto wrote:
We shall call it... Edsel
We shall call it...Sankofa Square

Sankofa Square Dance maybe?

**Posted by mace** March 24, 2025 6:16 am

betaylored wrote:
pinto wrote:
We shall call it... Edsel
We shall call it...Sankofa Square

The majority of Torontoians will still refer to it as Yonge-Dundas Square. Why? They can't remember the new name, let alone pronounce it. I always think of coffee [Sanka] when I see it.