Michael Hollett

Who is Michael Hollett?

Michael Hollett is co-founder and co-owner of Toronto's longest-running free alternative newsweekly, Now Magazine and Now Communications Inc. He was also that magazine'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 and the Caledon Citizen.

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 politically.

In 1995, Hollett became a founder of the North by Northeast 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 a continental organization representing alt weeklies and digital media across North America.