Online Appearances

I really enjoyed appearing on a pair of online sports discussions the past couple of weeks. On April 28, I accepted an invite from the National Soccer Coaches Association of Canada (NSCAC) http://nscac.ca, to host an interesting webinar with my former TV colleagues Bob Iarusci & Carmine Marcantonio, as well as Paul D’Agostino, to chat about the legends of the game they were fortunate to play with and against as young Canadian stars in the old NASL. We also discussed the evolution of Major League Soccer, the current state of the game in North America and the future growth potential as Canada prepares to host a World Cup in 2026. We covered a lot of ground and interacted with the viewing audience for well over an hour.

A week later, I was asked to participate in a panel session on the Fired Up Network http://firedupnetwork.ca/, alongside another former colleague, York University Head Soccer Coach Carmine Isacco, as well as local sports radio personality Norm Rumack and US-based soccer commentator Jon Nelson. We covered everything from Serie A soccer to the English Premier League to Major League Soccer. Thanks to Fired Up Network Host Joe Peisich for inviting me onto their Thursday night live show and giving me the chance to catch up with some former colleagues and share some of my current projects.

I’m always happy to participate in online panel discussions, virtual sessions and webinars. I’ll keep my followers up to date on my various online appearances. If your organization would like me to make an appearance on your online event, reach out to me by e-mail at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.

Service: Voice Over Artist

Throughout my professional career, my voice has been one of my most praised assets. Since my earliest days in broadcasting, I have lent my voice to a number of diverse projects, from documentaries to commercials, from sports play by play to corporate videos.

In addition to voicing hundreds of soccer matches and game highlights, I was also the bilingual (English & Italian) network TV voice for TLN Telelatino’s station ID’s and program promotions for over a decade. During that time, I was also a regular contributor to dual-language original programming as well as commercial voice-overs.

Over my career, I have also lent my voice to multi media campaigns for several corporate Canadian name brands such as Canadian Tire and Holt Renfrew, as well as prestigious Canadian arts institutions like Luminato and Mirvish Productions.

Besides my work with multilingual broadcasters, my voice has also been heard on a number of conventional broadcasters including CBC Sports, TSN Radio, and Sportsnet’s The Fan 590.

Today, I continue to express myself through my voice on three distinctly Canadian sports talk shows and special programs exclusively for the Itoc Radio streaming service: http://italian.itoc.ca/podcastfilter/alf-de-blasis-podcast/

If your organization is developing content and looking for an experienced, professional, and authoritative voice-over artist, with a level of fluency in up to four languages, reach out to me by email at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.

On Tap Next Month

The final month of the Italian Serie A soccer season will be the prominent subject of conversation as three new episodes of the “Calcio Collective Podcast” roll out during the month of May at Itoc Italian Sports. Inter’s path to the league title & the race to claim the remaining Champions League spots will be among the topics discussed with regular panelist Rocco Fasano & special guests, as well as the ill-fated European Super League & the upcoming pandemic-proof Euro 2020 tournament.

In addition, we’ll replay the final four episodes of the “Sport$trategies” podcast, featuring interviews with athletes-turned-entrepreneurs Phil Ionadi, founder of the Canadian Academy of Futbol (CAF) & Joe Corapi, co-founder of Best Ed Prep.

All this & more stimulating sports talk radio coming up in May at Itoc Italian. So join me each & every week twice daily (11a & 5p ET) on the Itoc Italian web stream, the Itoc Radio app, or download my on-demand podcasts here: http://italian.itoc.ca/podcastfilter/alf-de-blasis-podcast/.

For advertising opportunities on any of my sports talk properties on the Itoc Italian platform, reach me by email at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.

Service: Creative Writing & Editing

I’ve always had a passion for journalism and, over the years, I’ve written for a variety of print and online publications as well as my own soccer blog and sports business website. Besides writing for television and radio, on numerous news and sports programs, as well as various promotions and commercials, I’ve also been a feature writer, columnist and magazine editor.

In 2017, as Director of Marketing & Communications for the National Soccer Coaches Association of Canada (NSCAC), I was asked to create a biannual Journal exclusively for the organization’s members. With the help of layout artists, graphic designers, and contributors all across Canada, I oversaw the completion of two editions of the “Journal for Soccer Coaches”, the official publication of the NSCAC, which was distributed to thousands of soccer coaches and technical directors across Canada and the US.

The Journal contained original features, guest editorials, training tips, and articles on coaching methodology. As the managing editor, it was my responsibility to collect the dozens of contributions that were submitted, edit them for length and clarity, and organize them in a meaningful fashion across the pages of the Journal, all while working towards a fixed deadline for printing. The end product was very satisfying and rewarding and drew extremely positive feedback.

Here is a link to the premiere issue of the NSCAC’s Journal: https://bec0e845-25c4-400c-b7ff-9f50acd524ff.filesusr.com/ugd/d67de7_6271a85483af4f4992ba243e12f06afa.pdf

If your organization is looking for a creative writer or editor, for an existing publication, or if you’re looking to develop a new print magazine or digital platform, I can assist you. Reach out to me at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.

Service: Event Host

Drawing on my 30+ years of experience as a television, radio and podcast host, I have a natural ability to engage with audiences across many media platforms and live settings, from large conference rooms to smaller, more intimate venues. Over the years, I have hosted dozens of milestone events from awards festivities to media conferences to product unveilings.

This past weekend, I was fortunate to host Day 1 of the first ever edition of the Toronto Artistic Food Expo, a celebration of the culinary arts and hospitality industries, featuring food demonstrations, cooking and baking tips, cultural specialty foods, and performances. I worked with the non-profit organizations Saffron Hub and the Artists and Artisans Development and Network to bring a unique, culturally diverse, virtual event to viewers on Facebook and YouTube.

The Toronto Artistic Food Expo featured established Canadian and international chefs like Roberto Marotta, Marianna Romano, and Nuit Regular, as well as special appearances by MasterChef Canada judges Michael Bonacini and Claudio Aprile. The event was organized to support local restaurants and small businesses in the food industry during this time of crisis and allow chefs and culinary creators an opportunity to showcase their talents.

Here is a link to the virtual event: https://www.facebook.com/artistsandartisansnetwork/videos/1185759991854207

If your company or organization is in need of a host for your live, virtual or on-location event, post-pandemic, I can assist you. Reach out to me by e-mail at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.

Service: Moderator/Keynote

Another service I can provide your organization, in the context of professional development, in a virtual or live setting, is in the role of a moderator or keynote speaker. I have several years’ experience as a speaker, host and master of ceremonies, at various functions ranging from cultural festivals to sports events to panel discussions. I have the ability to engage and inform audiences, all the while maintaining structure within a pre-determined format.

Last month, I had the opportunity to present a live Zoom webinar to 100 members of Cambridge Youth Soccer. Based on a previous webinar I presented to the National Soccer Coaches Association of Canada (NSCAC) earlier this year, I shaped the presentation to address the ever changing digital and technological distribution of the game of soccer and also explore the advantages of a prospective career in media.

I engaged the group with an online power point presentation highlighting the evolution of televised soccer from my personal experiences as a sports TV producer early in my career to the widespread digital diffusion of the game across various platforms in the present day. At the conclusion of the presentation, I welcomed questions from the group interested in both the future of televised sports and the prospect of pursuing a career in the media industry.

If you are an organization that promotes a range of activities focused on core educational themes, from personal and professional enrichment to career opportunities in sports and media, through stimulating dialogue and topical conversation, then I can assist you. Reach out to me by email at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.

Service: Media Release

One of the areas in which I can assist your organization is in the development and distribution of customized communications to local and national media. If your group has created a new product or program, or introduced an innovative new strategy you would like to share with your immediate community or even with a national audience, I can help you achieve that.

In April 2020, I collaborated with the Canadian Academy of Futbol (CAF) to communicate a new partnership and a new strategy and vision for the future of that organization. I wrote a media release (https://www.cafsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Canadian-Academy-of-Futbol-media-release.pdf) outlining these initiatives that was widely distributed across mainstream and multi-ethnic media.   

The release was reprinted in its entirety by the online publication Peel Weekly News (see photo), which reaches more than 20-thousand residents across the Peel Region communities of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon. 

If you would like your message to achieve the same level of circulation and have the same impact in your community, let ADB Creative Consulting help you develop a professional communications strategy. Reach out to me by email at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.

#OnTapNextMonth

A mix of Italian soccer & Canadian sports business topics headline the month of April at Itoc Italian Sports. Two new episodes of the “Calcio Collective Podcast” will put the spotlight on Italy’s World Cup qualifying matches as well as the exciting race to the Lega Serie A title plus, we discuss key issues & developments in Italian & European football.

In addition, we replay two recent episodes of my “Sport$trategies” series focused on the recovery of the Canadian sports industry from the impact of #covid19 with special guests, NASCAR racer Alex Tagliani & CEBL Commissioner Mike Morreale.

All that & more stimulating sports talk radio coming up in April at Itoc Italian. So join me each & every week 2x daily (11a & 5p ET) on the Itoc Italian web stream, the Itoc Radio app, or download my on-demand podcasts here: http://italian.itoc.ca/podcastfilter/alf-de-blasis-podcast/

For advertising opportunities on any of my sports talk properties on the Itoc Italian platform, contact me by phone at (416) 885-8652 or reach me by email at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.

Toronto Artistic Food Expo

I am honoured to be hosting the first virtual edition of the Toronto Artistic Food Expo, the weekend of April 17&18. The event is a presentation of Saffron Hub and the Artists & Artisans Development Network, a Canadian national not-for-profit organization.

 This virtual event will stream on Facebook and YouTube from 2 PM to 4 PM ET on April 17th & 18th. The event will feature Food Demos, Cultural Specialty Foods, Food Equipment & Technology from GTA restaurants, chefs, entrepreneurs & manufacturers, plus prizes & performances! The event is supported by the City of Toronto.

 As restaurants, catering companies and tourism businesses have been adversely affected due to COVID-19, this event will be an opportunity for business owners to promote their products and companies while providing attendees with extensive food facts and knowledge.

The goal is to ensure the promotion and economic revival of these small businesses while ensuring people across Canada learn about them and connect with them. This opportunity also allows Chefs to showcase their talent and present innovative and creative concepts through the virtual platform of social media. 

The previous event, the Whitby Artistic Food Expo, took place on January 23rd and 24th, and received amazing feedback from the community, with over 17,000 views and a reach of over 110,000!

To register for this event, go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/282681213273766/.

If you would like me to host or moderate your virtual event, please contact me by email at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.

Presentation for Cambridge Youth Soccer Club

I’m honoured to have been asked to adapt my recent presentation to the National Soccer Coaches Association of Canada (NSCAC) for the Cambridge Youth Soccer Club on March 23. As part of the NSCAC’s weekly “Behind the Bench” educational webinars, I developed a presentation entitled “The New Spectrum of Soccer Viewing: How the Game is Consumed in a Multi Screen Digital World”. Based on my own experiences as a TV sports producer, the presentation follows the evolution of the way the game of soccer has been telecast over the years and what are some of the trends and new technologies being implemented in the coverage of the game today.

Thank you to former colleague and old friend Darren Tilley, the Cambridge YSC Technical Director, for allowing me the opportunity to present to his group.

If you would like me to make a presentation to your group, please contact me by email at: alfdeblasis@gmail.com.