Canada's songwriters say goodbye to bubble wrap envelopes!

OTTAWA , Oct. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The Songwriters Association of Canada and Astral Media Inc.(TSX: ACM.A/ACM.B) announced today the launch of a brand new Web portal for songwriters and composers across Canada .

The portal will revolutionize the music industry. It enables songwriters across the country to share their compositions, receive advice from industry professionals and offer their creations for sale to music buyers for television, film and other media. The new portal will also make it possible to replace the traditional practice of mailing CD demos to songwriters, musicians, agents and distributors.

Songwriters Eddie Schwartz , Jim Vallance , Greg Johnston and Marc Jordan , known for their songs performed by artists such as Pat Benatar, Diana Ross , Hilary Duff , Backstreet Boys, Bryan Adams and Olivia Newton John , are just some of the prominent industry members who will provide free, personalized feedback to songwriters who upload their songs to the platform.

"The launch of this new portal is in keeping with Astral Media's creative and innovative spirit. Thanks to our work over the past few years with the Songwriters Association of Canada , we can have an immediate and significant impact on the careers of thousands of songwriters, aspiring and emerging artists and music program students across the country," said Jacques Parisien , Group President, Astral Media Radio and Astral Media Outdoor.

"When aiming to have a significant and immediate impact on emerging talent, aspiring and established artists, you must start at the bottom of the Canadian radio industry's food chain. That is, to start with the songwriters. The Songwriters Association of Canada and Astral Media both know that it all starts with a song. Thanks to this partnership with Astral Media, a songwriter from any region of the country will have access to the industry's senior decision makers as well as the advice of Canada's most prolific songwriters," added Don Quarles , Executive Director of the Songwriters Association of Canada .

To learn more about the new portal and how it works, visit www.songpitch.ca.

The Songwriters Association of Canada is dedicated to the advocacy and education of Canadian songwriters and devoted to developing and nurturing songwriting communities across the country. Our mission is to protect and develop the creative and business environment for songwriters and we are committed to the development and recognition of Canadian composers, lyricists, and songwriters in Canada and around the world. Songwriters play a spiritual and intellectual role in society that has a profound and lasting benefit to humanity.

Astral Media is one of Canada's leading media companies, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and interactive media. Since its inception, Astral Media has invested over $1.3 billion in the support and development of Canadian culture. Astral Media's television services and radio stations have a long history of investing in English- and French-language film, television and music content; financing every stage of film production and investing to showcase Canadian musical and emerging talent. Astral Media prides itself on ensuring critical support for the promotion of Canadian culture from coast-to-coast. For more information about Astral Media, please visit www.astralmedia.com.

For further information: Hugues Mousseau, Astral Media Inc., [phone]; Don Quarles, Songwriters Association of Canada, [phone]