Montreal, Thursday, March 29th, 2012 – Beginning on March 29, Herby Moreau will be covering the latest arts and entertainment news with his signature bold style on the V television network! Every Thursday at 7:30 pm, District V will take a fresh look at the showbiz scene in Quebec and around the world.

On the cutting edge of technology
By teaming up with Rogers Communications Inc., V and La Presse Télé are enhancing the benefits of sponsorship by placing smart phones and their interactive features directly in the content of a TV show. Forget all about traditional newsrooms: District V focuses on smart phones, interactive tablets and social television! Along with Herby, the entire District V team will be communicating via social media and smart devices as they cover the latest events.

“In partnership with Marketel, La Presse Télé and V, we are pleased to have been part of the development of District V ever since the idea for the show was conceived. When selecting sponsorship opportunities, it’s important for us to enhance the viewers’ experience while leaving a positive mark. In this regard, the decision to combine technology with the star system, two things that Quebecers care deeply about, seems to be a winning choice,” said Simon-Yves Parent, Director of Marketing and Communications for Rogers Communications Inc.

Given that smart phones and the communications power of social media are part of the show’s basic premise, viewers will not be the only group to benefit from this strategy. “We are seeking to facilitate the process of accessing and integrating content for our business partners. It’s increasingly important for advertisers to be part of the action—and part of the story” said Marc Giguère, Vice-President of Sales and Head of Commercial Operations at V.

“At V, we are always open to new ideas. We recognize that effective integration can enhance content while offering a new and dynamic entertainment experience for our viewers, not to mention an excellent opportunity that ties in with our advertiser’s marketing strategies,” said Lucie Quenneville, Vice-President of Programming and Acquisition.

Exclusive content at Rogers
V’s development strategies focus on the content and its exploitation. As a result, entertainment junkies will be able to follow District V’s exclusive features and red-carpet moments on Rogers’ Facebook page.

In addition, every week, Herby or a member of his team of commentators will report on the show directly on Twitter. Viewers will also be able to visit vtele.ca to watch unreleased clips or V’s Facebook pages to access exclusive content and discuss the show.

“Thanks to Marketel’s involvement, the show’s concept enables Rogers to extend the boundaries of a traditional sponsorship arrangement while offering its customers a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience,” added Marc Giguère.

This new show was created as part of a genuine partnership between Rogers, Marketel, OMD Toronto, V and La Presse Télé. District V will be broadcast every Thursday evening at 7:30 pm on the V television network.

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ABOUT ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Rogers is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high speed internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, sports entertainment, magazines and trade publications, and digital media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com.

ABOUT V
V—a division of V Interactions—is owned by Remstar, a film and TV production and distribution company founded in 1998.
Info / Diane Patenaude/ dpatenaude@vtele.ca / 514.390.6100