W Network Premieres Undercover Boss Canada, the First Canadian Edition of the Hit International Series

Executives from Companies including Molson Coors Canada, Toronto Transit Commission, Pizza Pizza and The Toronto Zoo hit the frontlines

Series premieres on Thursday, February 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2012 /CNW/ - This February, Corus Entertainment's W Network presents the premiere of the anticipated new series from Alliance Films, Undercover Boss Canada (10 x 60) which follows 10 executives as they leave the comfort of their offices to go undercover as entry-level employees in their own companies. Produced in association with W Network, Undercover Boss Canada premieres Thursday, February 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

To view a trailer of Undercover Boss Canada, please click here.

With an equal representation of both male and female executives from some of Canada's biggest corporations, the series follows the "undercover bosses" as they stealthily join the ranks of their own unsuspecting workforce. From Molson Coors Canada and Pizza Pizza to the Toronto Transit Commission and FedEx Express Canada, each episode features an executive who is transformed into a frontline worker with a covert disguise and a back story. Working alongside their employees, each "boss" takes an often emotional journey, discovering the effects their decisions have on others, the perception of the company, and who the unsung heroes of their workforce are. Most importantly, they learn how to apply what they have gained from the experience - both for their company and for themselves.

"From watching CEOs fumble in frontline jobs, to the remarkable impact the experience has had on these executives and their companies, Undercover Boss Canada is both a fun and riveting ride with many surprising twists,"  said Vibika Bianchi, Vice President, Original Programming, Lifestyle, Reality, Factual Entertainment, Corus Entertainment. "We are thrilled to bring this U.S. and U.K. smash hit to Canadian audiences on W Network."

"When I discussed this project with the team at Alliance, we immediately agreed on the importance of moving it forward. By secretly inserting CEOs with their dedicated workers we see something truly unique and wonderful; not only does the boss set out to see how their organizations can actually run better, but we get to see how they can make a truly meaningful change in the lives of the people there and how these emotional journeys transform them," said Thomas Howe, Executive Producer. 

Below is a list of eight of the companies and executives participating in the series this season. Two additional companies will be announced at a later date.

• The Toronto Zoo - CEO John Tracogna goes undercover at Canada's largest zoo to get up close and personal with endangered wildlife and the people that keep the organization running.
  
  
• Pizza Pizza - CEO Paul Goddard goes undercover in the nation's number one pizza mega brand, and learns that making dough and delivering pizza serves up some challenges he never imagined.
  
  
• 1-800-GOT-JUNK? - Founder and CEO Brian Scudamore goes undercover as a driver and junk collector, hauling loads of unwanted clutter in the world's largest junk removal franchise, and comes out collecting something much more valuable.
  
  
• Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) - City Councillor and TTC Chair Karen Stintz goes undercover inside the country's largest mass transit system to get her hands dirty with some of the toughest and grittiest jobs.
  
  
• Molson Coors Canada - With CEO Dave Perkins being too recognizable for the job, Chief Legal Officer Kelly Brown steps in to see what's brewing and gets down to the basics of beer production in Canada's oldest and most famous brewery.
  
  
• Second Cup - Stacey Mowbray, CEO of Canada's largest specialty coffee company goes undercover and gets into the grind serving lattes to get an edge on customer service and revive her connection with frontline workers.
  
  
• Cineplex Entertainment - CEO Ellis Jacob goes undercover doling out snacks and tickets while assessing how to enhance the moviegoer experience within Canada's largest motion picture exhibitor across the board.
  
  
• FedEx Express Canada - Lisa Lisson, the first female president of FedEx Express Canada, goes undercover to find out if her employees have the right resources to provide exceptional service in the fiercely competitive courier industry.
  
  

Undercover Boss Canada is based on the format devised by Studio Lambert, part of the ALL3MEDIA group of companies. Undercover Boss has been seen in over 175 territories to date through sales of the UK and USA show and as a format sale - ALL3MEDIA International will also take responsibility for marketing the Canadian show to other broadcasters internationally.

This series will be supported with a four-week marketing campaign beginning Monday, January 30 with a focus on major markets including Toronto and Vancouver. The campaign will feature out-of-home, radio, newspaper and Facebook as well as exposure across Corus specialty channels and websites. Support will also include a 10 week contest, The Undercover Boss Canada Ultimate Giveaway, beginning Monday, January 30, which will feature prizing from each of the 10 participating companies. Viewers can go to wnetwork.com/undercoverboss to enter to win prizes such as free movies for a year from Cineplex and free pizza for a year from Pizza Pizza.

About W Network
Watched by over 10 million viewers in an average month, W Network delivers compelling entertainment for women, ranging from blockbuster movies to popular dramas and lifestyle series. Its website, www.wnetwork.com offers in-depth show information featuring expert advice from hosts in addition to a popular games section and a rich online community. W has built a leadership position as "marketing to women experts" through its various research initiatives, including The Her Report.

About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The Company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), CosmoTV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

About Alliance Films Inc.
Alliance Films Inc. is one of the top five independent filmed entertainment companies in the world. A leading multinational distributor, co-financier and producer of filmed entertainment, its member companies, Alliance Films and Alliance Vivafilm (Canada); Momentum Pictures (UK) and Aurum Producciones (Spain), offer integrated delivery of content in all media. 

Strategic partnerships include exclusive distribution rights to films from Relativity Media in Canada and the UK; Focus Features, The Weinstein Company, Lionsgate, Miramax and CBS Films in Canada; as well as ongoing relationships with Summit, FilmNation Entertainment, Exclusive Media, IM Global, Lionsgate International, Wild Bunch, Constantin Films, EuropaCorp and Nu Image in all three territories.

All times are ET/PT.  

For high-resolution images, please visit http://mediacentre.corusent.com.

Follow Corus PR on Twitter @CorusPR
Follow W Network on Twitter @W_Network, #ubcanada and Facebook facebook.com/wnetwork

Image with caption: "Pizza Pizza CEO, Paul Goddard, incognito at a Pizza 73 franchise. (CNW Group/W Network)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120109_C2726_PHOTO_EN_8715.jpg

Image with caption: "The Toronto Zoo CEO, John Tracogna, undercover with zoo staff. (CNW Group/W Network)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120109_C2726_PHOTO_EN_8716.jpg