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    Marilyn Denis Announced as 2017 Recipient of Allan Waters Lifetime Achievement Award

     

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    -Denis becomes first female broadcaster to receive this prestigious award-
    TORONTO, ON – (October 5, 2016) – Canadian Music Week is pleased to announce Marilyn Denis as the 2017 inductee to the Allan Waters Broadcast Lifetime Achievement Award. Award winning broadcasting icon and respected radio and television personality for more than four decades, Denis will be honoured for her achievements and longstanding career in broadcasting. The induction is presented in recognition of Marilyn’s extraordinary contribution to the broadcast industry and marks the first time a female broadcaster will receive the prestigious award.
    The induction ceremony will take place during the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards, being presented on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.
    Marilyn Denis is host of her own and Canada’s #1 daytime lifestyle series, The Marilyn Denis Show. The veteran broadcaster also co-hosts Roger & Marilyn weekday mornings on Toronto’s #1-ranked radio station 104.5 CHUM FM. A dominating presence in Toronto radio and Canadian television, Marilyn’s quick wit, connection with the audience and charm have made her a much-beloved figure in CHUM FM’s 30 year history and a favourite among viewers nationwide.
     

    I had the pleasure of working with the Waters family, so to receive an award in their father’s name is truly an honour,” Said Marilyn Denis, Co-Host of Roger & Marilyn on 104.5 CHUM FM and Host of CTV’s The Marilyn Denis Show. “This is a Lifetime Achievement Award, but I’m not done just yet!”

     
     

    “I’m not sure that I have met a broadcaster who works as hard at her craft as Marilyn Denis. Radio in the early morning, a television show after that and she is always willing to do more! She is a pro and a pleasure to be around! I’m thrilled she is this year’s winner of the Allan Waters Lifetime Achievement Award!” says former CHUM Chairman Jim Waters.


    Neill Dixon, president of Canadian Music Week and producer of the awards, adds: “We are very pleased to announce the induction for Marilyn, who is the first woman to receive this prestigious award, which is presented in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the broadcast industry.”
     
    Denis joins the ranks of previous recipients including her CHUM FM co-host Roger Ashby, Chuck McCoy, John Donabie, Bill Evanov, David Marsden, John Derringer, Paul Ski, Don Shafer, Bob Laine, and J. Robert Wood. The Waters Family, specifically Allan Waters, founded the CHUM broadcasting empire in 1954 and built it into one of Canada’s most respected and successful broadcast companies.
     
    A definite trailblazer, Edmonton-born Marilyn became the first female DJ at KRPL in Moscow, Idaho. She then moved to Calgary where she held various radio and television positions including programmer, music director, and traffic reporter. But it wasn’t until she auditioned to become Roger Ashby’s co-host, that Marilyn found her niche. After interviewing dozens of broadcasters and actresses, Marilyn breezed into CHUM FM in July 1986. After chatting with her for a few brief minutes, Roger immediately remarked, “I think we’ve found the right one.”
    Marilyn has always balanced her dynamic radio career with her candid television presence. She first began her career in television by reporting on sports, weather, and entertainment at CFCN-TV (CTV Calgary) and working as a freelance reporter for TSN. Marilyn also shared hosting duties on Bravo!’s Gemini Award-winning concert series Live At The Rehearsal Hall and was host of the popular daily show Cityline for nearly 20 years. 
     

    Recently awarded Best Talk Program at the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards (CSAs), The Marilyn Denis Show is Canada’s most-watched daytime lifestyle series which airs weekdays at 10 a.m. ET on CTV and the CTV GO app. Now in its seventh season, the show brings Canadians quality programming with a mix of expert and celebrity guests. Marilyn places fans at the centre of it all, as she provides a unique blend of entertainment and topical lifestyle information, from fashion, food and fitness, to viewers across the country.

     A triple Gemini Award-winner (including back-to-back Viewers Choice Awards), Marilyn received The Rosalie Award, honouring Canadian women who have paved the way for others in radio broadcasting in 2006. Marilyn was also listed as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 by WXN, where she accepted her award in December 2013 at a gala ceremony celebrating female leaders and role models in Toronto. 


    Marilyn is committed to many charities. An advocate for the fight against ovarian and breast cancer, 
    Marilyn supports the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada. Marilyn also supports and encourages organ donation and was one of the first members of the SickKids Constellation, a premier group of stars who support the efforts of the SickKids Foundation. She also donates to Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto annually and recently lent her support in the Canadian broadcast portion of the Stand Up 2 Cancer (SU2C) telecast on Sept. 9, 2016.