Dina Pugliese Named Host of Canada’s Got Talent on Citytv; Opera Sensation Measha Brueggergosman and Renowned Songwriter Stephan Moccio Join Martin Short on Judging Panel TORONTO (October 17, 2011) – As Canada’s Got Talent’s Live Theatre Audition Tour gets underway this week, Citytv today announced the host and remaining judges for the highly- anticipated talent competition. Breakfast Television Toronto’s Dina Pugliese will host the original Canadian reality series, while prominent soprano Measha Brueggergosman and distinguished musician Stephan Moccio join internationally-renowned Martin Short on the judging panel. Images and biographies are available at www.rogersmediatv.ca To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/pBumMq A native of Woodbridge, Ont., Pugliese brings more than 10 years of television experience to her new role on Canada’s Got Talent. The current co-host of Canada’s #1 morning show, Breakfast Television Toronto on Citytv, Pugliese is well-known for her charismatic and engaging on-screen presence. Prior to joining BT in 2006, she appeared in numerous programs, including MuchMusic VJ Search - The Series, for which she earned a hosting Gemini Award nomination; Canada’s Next Top Model, where she served as guest judge; and Citytv’s Canada’s New Year’s Eve Bash, as co-host of the annual live show. In addition to entertainment hosting duties on various programs, such as Toronto Today, The A-List, and Star! Daily, she also has a breadth of producing and writing experience from her early start on Toronto Today and The Bynon Show. Measha Brueggergosman is most well-known for her stunning soprano voice. Astounding audiences the world over with her powerful and superb gift, she is critically acclaimed by the international press for her innate musicianship and stage presence. The Juno Award-winning soloist from Fredericton, NB, has performed extensively in famed music halls around the world, including London’s Wigmore Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, Carnegie Hall, Spivey Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Palais des Beaux-Arts, to name a few. She has captivated audiences in such roles as Madame Lidoine in Dialogues des Carmélites for Vancouver Opera; as Elektra in Idomeneo at Toronto’s Opera Atelier; and as Sister Rose in Dead Man Walking. Plus, Brueggergosman has performed for international dignitaries and royalty, such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince of Wales, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Queen Sonja of Norway, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Nelson Mandela and Kofi Annan. Also serving as celebrity judge on Canada’s Got Talent is celebrated composer, pianist and producer Stephan Moccio. Originally from St. Catharines, Ont., Moccio created the broadcast theme hit, I Believe, for the Canadian coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and counts it as one of the highlights throughout his illustrious career. As a highly sought-after music creator, Moccio has worked with internationally-renowned artists, including Céline Dion, Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John, Hayley Westenra and Gladys Knight. He is a recent Juno Award winner and Gemini Award nominee, and has sold more than 18 million records worldwide. Most recently, Moccio composed and produced the new theme music for Sportsnet and a new theme song for Canada’s Walk of Fame. “We’re thrilled to unveil this talented and dynamic cast for the inaugural season of Canada’s Got Talent,” said Ed Robinson, Executive Producer, Canada’s Got Talent, Rogers Media. "The powerhouse combination of internationally-celebrated Canadians Martin Short, Measha Brueggergosman and Stephan Moccio, along with charming and engaging host Dina Pugliese, puts Canada’s Got Talent in good stead to uncover the nation’s most promising and talented acts.” “Measha and Stephan joining Marty will create a judging panel that is second to none,” said John Brunton, Executive Producer, Canada’s Got Talent, Insight Productions. “Dina is the perfect host with loads of experience, her razor-sharp wit and stunning beauty will be a perfect accompaniment to this panel. Add to this mix the most talented Canadians in this country, and you’ve got a recipe for endless entertainment.” The host and judges embark on the Canada’s Got Talent Live Theatre Audition Tour beginning tomorrow in Calgary, the first of six cities to see the short-list of talented performers who came out in unprecedented numbers for the first round of auditions. Tickets for the tour are available through www.canadasgottalent.com. Canada’s Got Talent – Live Theatre Audition Tour Schedule City Date Venue Calgary October 18 & 19 Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Vancouver November 9 & 10 The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts Toronto December 3, 4 & 5 John W. H. Bassett Theatre (Metro Toronto Convention Centre) Winnipeg December 13 & 14 Pantages Playhouse Theatre Halifax January 5 & 6 Rebecca Cohn Auditorium (Dalhousie University Arts Centre) Montreal January 11 & 12 Théâtre Outremont *all dates and venues are subject to change Follow us on Twitter @CGTCitytv and like us on Facebook for the latest updates, info and announcements. Canada’s Got Talent is the largest national talent search in Canadian television history and will feature a colourful array of hopeful stars, including comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, dancers and singers all vying for a chance to perform on national television and win the coveted title. This original series is a tribute to the rich talents that define and characterize Canada’s diversity. Tim Hortons is proud to be a founding partner of Canada’s Got Talent. Tim Hortons’ sponsorship components are multiplatform in their execution and extend across a myriad of Rogers media platforms. Citytv™ television stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented, culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to other conventional television stations, Citytv engages its viewers with dynamic on- air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news, local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and CityLine; as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment programming. Citytv is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information on Citytv stations and programming, visit www.citytv.com Insight Production Company Ltd, headed by John Brunton & Barbara Bowlby has become an industry leader in the creative development, financing and production of highly rated television programs and cutting edge multiplatform content for the global market in every genre. Since 1979, it has been recognized for its reputation for outstanding quality as the recipient of numerous International awards, including multiple Gemini’s. The company has created thousands of hours of groundbreaking television that continues to be broadcast over major networks worldwide. Recent hits include, Battle of the Blades, Top Chef Canada, Canadian Idol, The Juno Awards and Canada Sings. For more information visit www.insighttv.com About FremantleMedia FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. For more information, visit www.fremantlemedia.com. About Syco Entertainment Syco Entertainment is a global joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment focused on the production and exploitation of music, television, film and digital content. Syco TV and Music includes the global television franchises The X Factor and Got Talent which currently air in over 60 countries. Syco Music roster includes superstar artists such as Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle and Il Divo. In 2009, Britain's Got Talent launched the global music career of Susan Boyle, whose debut album is world's fastest selling album in history. Syco Entertainment is based in London and Los Angeles with a staff of 30+. -30- For more information, please contact: Cary Mignault, Unit Publicity Manager, Canada’s Got Talent, Insight Productions, [email protected], 416.435.9295 Stephanie Perron, Publicity Coordinator, Canada’s Got Talent, Rogers Media Television, [email protected], 647.278.6799 .