PAX Global Media announces two new executive appointments

After the successful launch of its company rebrand earlier this week, PAX Global Media is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Pihach as PGM's new Managing Editor, English Canada, and Marie-Eve Vallieres, as the new National Editor-in-Chief.

Uguette Chiasson, founder and CEO of PGM, welcomed the news:

“I am delighted to welcome Michael Pihach back to PGM as our new managing editor for English Canada,” said Uguette Chiasson, CEO and founder, PAX Global Media Inc. “Michael’s career with us began several years ago, where he became a familiar face in the industry as a full-time journalist, attending various tradeshows and events. Now, his expertise in video production and execution, complemented by his ability to strategically manage both projects and people, will be crucial to further developing and optimizing our products, as we position our brand on an international scale.”

2 powerful media backgrounds 

Michael Pihach has been an active player in Canada's media industry for more than 10 years. He started his career as a writer and editor for a variety of publications, such as Toronto's fab, Xtra! and IN magazines, as well as 2B magazine in Montreal. During this stage of his career, Michael had the opportunity to interview some of pop culture's most influential names, such as Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Katy Perry and Janet Jackson.

Developing a keen interest in video production, Michael eventually made the switch to television, taking on roles in the digital and audience departments at nationally-celebrated programs such as CBC's Steven and Chris, The Goods, Canada's Smartest Person and, most recently, CTV's The Marilyn Denis Show. Outside of media, Michael also worked as a medal ceremonies producer for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.

"With the recent launch of PAX Global Media, I can't think of a better time to rejoin the team and participate in this exciting new project," Pihach said. "Canada's travel industry is creative, resilient and constantly evolving. The travel agents, suppliers and industry players behind this evolution have big ideas and they know how to make them happen. I look forward to telling their story."

Michael has been a contributing writer, editor and videographer for PAX since 2015. His passion for travel has taken him to exciting destinations around the world, from Qatar to China, Italy to Morocco to almost all corners of the Caribbean. You can follow his adventures on Instagram at @michaelpihach. 

An editorial overhaul

As the National Editor-in-Chief, Marie-Eve will oversee all editorial content produced in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, while working closely with members of the editorial team.

Prior to her role with PAX, Marie-Eve freelanced as a travel writer and content creator for several brands across North America for the better part of the last decade, including Air Transat, Tourism Montreal, the CBC, AFAR Magazine, the BBC, Fodor’s, and Viator. Travel very much remains her true passion; her career has taken her to 32 countries at the far ends of the world, from the Sahara Desert to the Arctic Circle, and from the South Pacific atolls to the Japanese Alps.

“I’m immensely looking forward to overseeing all of PAX’s publications as I do believe the industry is at a crucial turning point, a crossroads if you will, with consumers being more independent and demanding than ever before; there are challenges and issues that Canadian travel professionals want to see addressed and I’m eager to delve in them," Vallieres said. "I won’t be steering too far away from wanderlust-driven storytelling, however, as this is my absolute favourite thing in the world to write."

Michael Pihach can be reached at michael@paxglobalmedia.com.

Marie-Eve can be reached at marieeve@paxglobalmedia.com or at (450)-689-5060 ext. 227