Today is my last day at BNN, which is a very bittersweet experience. Working as a journalist at BNN has been the best job I ever had in my life. I wanted to share the farewell note I send out to my colleagues a couple of minutes ago. The other day I wandered into the men’s bathroom. The one by the front doors that BNN guests and dignitaries sometimes use. Who should greet me but none other than Andrew Bell. In his ‘Dennis the Menace’ boxer shorts and socks. “How’s it going man. Congrats on the new job” he says, with not a whiff of self-consciousness. If you ask me what I will miss most about BNN, the answer is these kinds of almost sketch comedy scenes. Be it Bell’s antics, Jillian Glickman ordering a “non-large” beer at a restaurant, bust ups over cookies, Derek emailing people not to touch his donuts ever, daft notes from Media Services about being closed on stat holidays, every day I have worked here something silly seems to happen that makes me smile. But comedy aside I’ve also learned a great deal from my colleagues about how to be a better journalist. I am an amalgamation of all of you in the BNN newsroom. So many of you do individual tasks better than I ever will. From BJ being able to book 15 guests a day, to Rob Graham working the phones like a mad man, to Christina Boyd never taking any shit from anyone, to Franklin being to pull off wearing a red blazer, green pants and orange socks, BNN is a very, very special place to work. Through the years I’ve worked with some of the best in the business. I can’t thank everyone because this email would be obnoxiously long but I do want to send a shout out to a few of you. Howard Green. In my opinion, the best broadcast business journalist in Canada. But also a mentor to me and many others. It’s too bad he’s such a rubbish tennis player though. The late Jim O’Connell. Class personified. Kim Parlee. Tremendous work ethic. Great attitude always. She told me I should get into print a while back and I’m taking her advice. Frances Horodelski. If you don’t understand something in the financial markets you could “investopedia” it or just ask Frances. I learned a lot from you Frances. And you were always so easy to work with. Michael Hainsworth. The first time I saw you on tv I simply couldn’t believe how effortless you made it seem. When I actually did tv reporting myself I learned what a bloody difficult job it actually is. Paul Bagnell. Could anything ruffle this guy? I think not. Pamela Ritchie. You are the Grace Kelly of the BNN newsroom. Franklin and Van. You guys are great. You keep inviting me to your parties. One day I will actually show up. Lorraine Greenwood. Thank you for your concern when things were very rough for me in 2012. Terry Cain. You were an early cheerleader of mine. Thank you. Aaron Sobeski. Our friendship goes back to day 1 when you showed up 3 hours late for my training. We’ve shared a lot of laughs. And what a head of hair this guy has eh! Mark Bunting. Nobody does deadpan better than you mate. Michael Kane. If I was locked up in jail and had to pick a BNN cell mate, it would be a toss-up between you and Bell but Id probably pick you. The conversation would still be great but the cell would be significantly tidier. Amber Kanwar: You’ve come a long way baby. And you have a very bright future ahead of you. Catherine Murray: A few weeks ago when I saw you sporting the leather jacket I said “hey you look good in that jacket, you should wear that on-air”. And you did. Pretty cool. Lesley Harmer. Thank you for your kindness through the years. Jillian Glickman. Thank you for being you. You are a true friend and you helped keep me afloat when things went off the rails for me in 2012. Andrew Bell. That day I came in to work and you were wearing my shoes was great. And then a couple of weeks later when you headed home with my jeans on, that was pretty special too. For your cleverness, quickness, wit and wonderful weirdness. Never ever change in any way. BNN is getting stronger and becoming more influential every day. And there is no better leader than Grant Ellis to lead the station over the next few years. As David Carr of the New York Times recently said, this journalism thing is “a bit of a lark”. Compared to most jobs out there, this is great. We get paid to ask questions, learn stuff and interact with interesting people. Yes the industry is in flux and there are cutbacks galore, but there is literally nothing else I’d rather be doing. The media industry is small in Canada. I have no doubt I will work with many of you again. Stay in touch and don’t forget to read my Streetwise reports in the Globe and Mail. I hope to see some of you at “The Fifth” on Richmond later on for a few beers. All the best, Niall
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 18:25:26 +0000
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