The Mint Media Group acquires Outlooks magazine

Toronto, ON - April 19, 2011- The Mint Media Group, the nation's premier LGBT marketing and publishing company, announces the acquisition of assets from Outlooks Magazine Inc., Canada's only national LGBT magazine. Joining the company's other publication, In Toronto magazine, this step expands the brand's coverage and presence in the market, making the Mint Media Group one of the largest LGBT magazine publishing companies in Canada.

Brett Taylor, Outlooks' former publisher, will remain editor in chief. He is excited about the magazine's future. "Outlooks has had a strong influence on the LGBT community since it published its first issue in March of 1997. This was a natural progression to accelerate Outlooks to the next level. The Mint Media group has the resources and experience to uncover its full potential"

Patricia Salib, president of the Mint Media Group and publisher of both
magazines, comments: "We are truly excited and expect to see great results as In Toronto and Outlooks continue to grow. With Brett Taylor on board, we are looking forward to delivering the same promise of quality content that speaks volumes to its readers. Brett Taylor's years of experience will be a strong addition to our team." Look for Outlooks to re-launch later this spring with a new design and a new luxury focus.

Outlooks and In Toronto will maintain separate identities and editorial
visions but the synergy of Canada 's two largest LGBT lifestyle Magazines is significant, allowing the Mint Media Group to define and attract new opportunities for both advertisers and the community. With its expertise in LGBT media planning and marketing in more than 36 cities in North America, combined with the local and national media brands of In Toronto and Outlooks, the Mint Media Group can now serve the community with the highest level of resources, unparalleled in the country.

About Outlooks:

Outlooks magazine has a proud history of providing positive, thoughtful
editorial and information to the LGBT community in Canada. The publication first appeared in March 1997 as a lifestyle magazine directed primarily at a gay audience. Since that time, the publication has grown to become a household name in the LGBT community. Outlooks focuses on all aspects of gay lifestyle including travel, fashion, arts and entertainment, politics, and important social issues of the day. Read the latest news at www.outlooks.ca

About In Toronto:

In Toronto magazine has proven itself as one of the most relevant and
compelling LGBT publications in the country. Since its launch in May 2010, the city magazine has been ranked the second-most-consumed gay media in Canada. With its lively mix of news, insight, living, art and design, In Toronto is the must-read magazine for discerning gay men and lesbians. Read the latest news at www.intorontomag.com

About The Mint Media Group:

The Mint Media Group is the premier marketing, consulting and print
publishing company specializing in the LGBT market. The Mint Media Group is focused on developing creative strategies, influential marketing campaigns and high impact solutions for business targeting the LGBT market. For more information, visit www.themintmediagroup.com

Diamond Rings is performing in Calgary!

Diamond Rings is coming to Calgary! Be sure to catch this flamboyantly fun pop-star as he co-headlines with indie rock band PS I Love You on their upcoming tour. Email your name to contest@outlooks.ca for the chance to win a pair of tickets to their March 23 show at the Republic!

Diamond Rings isn’t showing any signs of slowing down in 2011 after a year that saw him go from curiosity to pop-star in just a few months. In December he announced that he’d be supporting Robyn on her 2011 North America tour starting in January. Now Diamond Rings is pleased to announce that he’ll be sticking on the road through April on a co-headline tour with Canadian pals PS I Love You.

Following head-turning performances at SXSW and CMJ last year, Diamond Rings has gained widespread critical praise since the release of his debut full-length Special Affections on October 25th on Secret City Records. With big US support from Pitchfork to the New York Times and NME nods, it’s clear Diamond Rings is ready to up the ante in 2011. He’s also been at the forefront of the radar in Canada, landing on the cover of national monthly Exclaim!, scoring the number 2 spot in the 6th annual hottest bands in Canada poll behind only Arcade Fire and ending the year on many best of 2010 lists including Eye Weekly and the Toronto Star. Since its release - the first single “Something Else” has been heating up the Canadian charts – being heard across the country with radio adds at such stations as the Edge (Toronto), LiVE 88 (Ottawa) and SONiC (Edmonton).

Kingston, Ontario's PS I Love You will join Diamond Rings in support of their critically acclaimed debut, Meet Me At The Muster Station (Paper Bag Records). The album, currently #64 this week on the CMJ Top 200 college radio chart, has appeared on a number of 2010 year-end lists. Highlights include: Exclaim, Aux, The Coast, Consequence of Sound and individual critics lists at Toronto Star and Now Magazine. Exclaim named ...Muster Station it's #4 album of the year, and said:

"It's hard to believe that the stunning Meet Me at the Muster Station is PS I Love You's debut. Arriving fully formed, this Kingston duo delivers its catchy hooks with brute force, pummelling listeners with fuzzy guitars and thundering rhythms. And even if you won't be able to sing along with frontman Paul Saulnier's strangled yelps, songs like "Facelove" and "2012" will be stuck in your head for weeks. Savage noise freak-outs have never sounded quite so palatable."

These recent accolades add to the already glowing praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Village Voice, NME, Eye, Exclaim, Now, Toronto Star, The Fly, Gigwise, LA Weekly, SF Weekly, Portland Mercury, San Diego City Beat, The Stranger, Washington Post, Brooklyn Vegan, Consequence of Sound, PopMatters, Pop Tarts Suck Toasted, CMJ, Prefix, Treble, and KCRW.

For more information on the show, please visit www.unionevents.com

The 13th Annual Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit

The 13th Annual Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit - taking place Friday, January 21, 2011 at Hotel Arts - promises to be the biggest and best ever.

Presented again this year by the Canada Safeway Foundation, funds raised at the must-attend event will support a variety of prostate cancer initiatives including research, education and treatment.

And for the first time, Prostate Cancer Canada has stepped up to support the benefit in a substantial way by donating $500,000. These funds will be directed towards the establishment of a prostate tissue bank. Researchers will be using the tissue collected to look for genetic abnormalities in prostate cancer and to see if there is a pattern that can be used in diagnostic and treatment pathways. Prostate screening has led to great improvements in the ability to diagnose prostate cancer and identify those at high risk of developing cancer. Findings from the tissue bank will hopefully provide the ability to select cancers that need aggressive treatment, earlier, while being more conservative in managing the less aggressive cases. This tissue bank will also be made available to researchers from across Canada.

Guests attending the 13th annual event can expect a fabulous evening which will include: savoury samplings from Hotel Arts’ culinary wizards; amazing auction items including the use of a villa in Greece, a private jet, stunning art items and more; dancing to the always popular Mocking Shadows; and surprises guaranteed to delight.

Tickets are $275. Hotel Arts is located at 119 - 12th Avenue SW Calgary, AB. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.calgaryhealthtrust.ca

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT and GLEE Win Big at The 2011 Golden Globes

By Perry Mah
Follow @OUTLOOKS on Twitter

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association honored GLBT favorites this year at the 68th Annual Golden Globes. With a night that showcased Hollywood's most talented stars, it was the family drama in the movie "The Kids Are All Right" and the musical high school tribulations in the television show "Glee" that earned some of the top recognition.

"The Kids Are All Right" took home the award for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical, and the film's leading star Annette Bening was named winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical. Co-star Julianne Moore was also nominated in the same category. The story of a lesbian couple, and the consequences they face when their sperm donor re-enters their family life, struck a chord with mainstream audiences and has been applauded by GLBT media.

The TV series "Glee" has been showered with accolades, and the HFPA continued the acknowledgement with three Golden Globes - including both Actor and Actress nods for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

Jane Lynch, winning for her portrayal of the ruthless and sarcastic cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, thanked her wife and children. Chris Colfer was visibly moved by his win and overcome with emotion. His character - Kurt Hummel - has become a role model for many gay and lesbian youth. Colfer acknowledged the importance of his role, dedicating his award "most importantly to all the amazing kids that watch our show and the kids that our show celebrates and are constantly told 'no' by people because of who they are....well, screw that, kids."

"Glee" was also given the top prize for Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical.

The Red Carpet played host to starlets in fashion forward gowns and leading men in designer suits, all sparkling from the shine of millions of dollars worth of jewellery. Host Ricky Gervais took to the stage with his expected blend of celeb roasting and awkward boundary-pushing jokes, but kept the show moving between the various movie and TV star award presenters.



For a complete list of winners, please visit www.goldenglobes.org