/mēdēə ·ˈmāvən/

noun: The most on-trend, in-style, on-point Canadians we know. The ones we look up to. The creative minds representing the Great White North. Our secret (and not-so-secret) MCMs and WCWs.

Are we the only ones obsessing over Canada’s growing media landscape? From groundbreaking journalists, to influential bloggers and the stars of the Canadian screen, we have everything and more in our amazing nation. This is why we have decided to give our readers the inside scoop on some of our favourite Media Mavens. Follow along as we learn about the newest trends and exclusive tips from some of the coolest Canucks around.

Joann Pai

Joann Pai is a food and travel connoisseur in the online world. What started as a hobby for the home-grown Canuck, snapping pictures of the little moments in her life, quickly grew into a worldwide social media phenomenon. Now living in Paris, France, Joann continues to serve up delectable Instagram images bursting with flavour and culture sure to make any foodie swoon.

Infused with an entrepreneurial spirit, Joann later went on to co-found Slice of Paris, “an Instagramers guide to Paris”, and Acornmag, an online food and lifestyle magazine which celebrates extraordinary people and places around the world. She also teaches photography workshops around the world with The Atelier Workshop. Overcome with an intense wanderlust, Joann has travelled the globe exploring life and culture all while keeping her followers up to date on social media. Her adventures have taken her along the glittering canals of Venice, inside the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi, down the bustling shopping districts of Amsterdam and beyond.

Joann has been featured in many notable publications, including The New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, enRoute Magazine, Saveur Magazine and Western Living Magazine.

Witness the world through Joann’s lens as she continues to explore the universal language that is food. Read more on her blog.

In one sentence, explain what you do.

I’m a food and travel photographer in Paris, originally from Vancouver Canada.

What does a typical day look like for you?

One of the best things I love about this job is that there is no typical day, which is a drastic change from my previous job working for the government. I do start every morning with a cup of coffee though. I must admit, I’m a bit useless until I’ve had my coffee!

What is your biggest challenge these days?

I think my biggest challenging is working on making this a long lasting career. It’s a career that changes very quickly, especially with social media. It’s important for me to constantly be learning, evolving. With that said, it’s also another reason why I love this career. There’s always a challenge!

What’s your favourite social media platform and why?

Instagram is the only social media platform I really use. It’s a great place to share my work and connect with others in the community. I’ve made so many friends around the world because of it. It’s also a great source of inspiration for me. There are so many talented photographers/artists on there.

How do you typically end your day?

My boyfriend and I have started watching funny, light-hearted clips on Youtube before going to sleep. It helps us to relax and laugh a little.

What tips do you have for our readers for creating a personal brand?

One thing I’ve learned about creating a personal brand is the importance of it being true to you and that it brings you joy.

Slice of Pai: sliceofpai.com
Slice Of Paris: sliceofparis.com
Acorn Magazine: acornmag.com
Instagram: @sliceofpai
Instagram: @sliceofparis
Instagram: @acornmag