Michael Hollett

Michael Hollett is co-founder of Toronto's longest-running free alternative newsweekly, Now Magazine and Now Communications Inc as well as co-founder and president of Northbynortheast NXNE. He was also NOW's first music editor.

Hollett was born in Oakville, Ontario to journalist parents. While at York University studying English, Hollett became editor of the university newspaper, Excalibur during the late 1970s.

Hollett went on to edit small-town newspapers throughout Ontario, including the Orangeville Citizen, the Caledon Citizen and the "Halton Hills Herald", Georgetown, Ontario.

In 1981, Hollett co-founded NOW with his partner Alice Klein. The paper has remained independent ever since. Although a number of alternative weekly newspapers had been attempted in Toronto without success in the past, Now's early decision to be distributed without charge proved to be crucial in its success.

The magazine also continues to reflect the editorial slant that Hollett brought to it, notably favouring the New Democratic Party (NDP) politically.

In 1995, Hollett became a founder of the North by Northeast (NXNE) music festival.

In 2004, he provided the liner notes for a greatest hits CD release by the band Blue Rodeo.

Since 2009, Hollett has served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (AAN) a continental organization representing alt weeklies and digital media across North America. He is also a founding board member of Music Canada Live in 2014 and remains active in the association.

Hollett remains involved in activities related to the magazine, its website, and its publishing arm. He continues to contribute articles.

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