Jason Vermes is an RTDNA award-winning and New York Festivals recognized radio and web journalist with three years of experience for national broadcasters. Known for a broad understanding of disability and LGBTQ topics, he has reported on science, technology, health, media and government policy. With an endless curiousity, Jason produces thoughtful stories that helps us understand our relationship with the world and those around us.
Education
University of Western Ontario, London, ON
2016 – Present
- Master of Media in Journalism and Communication
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON
2009 – Present
- Bachelor of Arts, Radio and Television Arts Program, Honours
- Wrote a Major Research Paper on the quality and impact of closed captioning on Deaf/Hard of Hearing audiences.
Work Experience
CBC Radio One, Toronto ON
Associate Producer
August 2017 – Present
- Produce segments for Network Talk radio programs including As It Happens, Day 6 and Spark.
- Pitch, chase interviews and prepare greens for morning shows in all Ontario markets, including Toronto’s Metro Morning and Ontario Morning
- Write and produce web content for Network Talk and local current affairs programs
CBC Radio One, Toronto ON
Intern, Day 6
June 2017 – July 2017
- Pitched, chased and produced interviews and segments
- Wrote posts, assisted with layout and produced multimedia content, including graphics, for the web
- Produced text-over-video promos for social media accounts
CBC Radio One, Halifax NS
Intern, Information Morning – Nova Scotia
May 2017 to June 2017
I pitched and chase produced interviews on a daily basis for the top-rated morning show in Nova Scotia. Working with the team, I gathered tape, developed stories and packages, and created original journalism.
Key Achievements:
- Wrote and presented a tape talk and web story about voting accessibility in the 2017 Nova Scotia general provincial election.
- Assisted with radio coverage of the 2017 election by booking and coordinating guests.
AMI-audio (Accessible Media Inc.), Toronto ON
Audio Producer
Sept. 2014 to Dec. 2015
I oversaw the editorial and technical production of AMI-audio’s original program Insights, a current affairs show focusing on politics, science and health innovations, as well as human rights concerns through the lens of disability and accessibility.
My responsibilities included story development, coordinating guests, research, conducting interviews, script writing, determining and approving final editorial decisions, and post-production of the program for broadcast.
Additionally, I managed the program’s freelancers and contributors to coordinate the production and timely delivery of segments.
Key Achievements:
- Re-developed the format of the program to resemble a high-quality, modern, radio show and increased social media presence and listenership
AMI-audio (Accessible Media Inc.), Toronto ON
Audio Technician
Sept. 2013 – Present
In the role of Audio Technician, I worked with volunteer broadcasters to record newspaper and magazine articles for broadcast on our broadcast reading service, AMI-audio. I was also a contributor to Insights in addition to various other AMI original programs.
Key Achievements:
- Re-distributed production workflows to the Toronto office from various regional bureaus
- Launched podcasts for all AMI-audio original programming
AMI-audio (Accessible Media Inc.), Toronto ON
Production Intern
Sept. 2011 – August 2013
- Produced original programs and segments for AMI-audio and AMI-tv including an RTDNA award-winning documentary on bullying featuring Rick Mercer
- Interviewed guests on a variety of topics
- Assisted in the launch of AMI’s Sirius Satellite Radio channel
- Produced materials to streamline and standardize the AMI-audio brand in accordance with the AMI brand vision
VoicePrint (Accessible Media Inc.), Toronto ON
Summer Student
May 2011 – Aug. 2011
- Gathered articles and produced audio-only news programming for listeners of VoicePrint
- Coordinated schedules for 100+ volunteer readers
- Created and co-executive produced a special for VoicePrint titled ReSight
Parks Canada, Louisbourg NS
Videographer – External Relations
May 2010 – Aug. 2010
- Independently produced four, 4-6 minute videos in varying genres, suitable for viewing on YouTube
- Chased and conducted interviews, filmed, and edited pieces
- Engaged current and future visitors of Parks Canada while providing support to the external relations team on-site and at events
Community Involvement
Halifax Pride, Halifax NS
- Volunteer Coordinator
January 2016 – Present
Pride Toronto, Toronto ON
- Accessibility Team Lead
January 2014 – August 2014
Pride Toronto, Toronto ON
- Accessibility Team Member/Live Description Producer
April 2013 – Present
Ryerson University, Toronto ON
- RTA in Ghana
Feb. 2013
LGBT Youthline, Toronto ON
- Peer Support Volunteer
Oct. 2011 – April 2012
Voiceprint, Toronto ON
- Volunteer News Reader
Oct. 2010 – April 2012