Hank Daniszewski

For over two decades, Hank Daniszewski has been The London Free Press’s foremost chronicler of economic transitions in Southwestern Ontario. Based in London, Canada, his reporting illuminates how local businesses shape communities—from cannabis startups to education infrastructure.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Hyperlocal Business Growth: Tracks mid-sized enterprises driving regional employment, particularly in tech and manufacturing.
  • Urban Planning Impacts: Analyzes real estate developments through lenses of policy and community needs.
  • Cannabis Industry Evolution: Documents regulatory and market shifts in Ontario’s legalized cannabis sector.

Pitching Insights

  • Lead with data: Daniszewski prioritizes stories backed by municipal employment figures or economic impact studies.
  • Highlight Ontario angles: National trends interest him only when tied to local consequences for London or surrounding counties.

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More About Hank Daniszewski

Bio

Career Trajectory: From Local Reporting to Economic Storytelling

Hank Daniszewski has carved a niche as a chronicler of London, Ontario’s evolving economic and urban landscape. With a career spanning over two decades at The London Free Press, his work reflects a deep commitment to documenting the city’s growth through business, real estate, and emerging industries like cannabis. A graduate of Western University’s History and Journalism programs, Daniszewski began his career in the late 1970s, contributing to student publications before joining Sun Media and later anchoring his reporting at one of Canada’s oldest daily newspapers.

Key Career Phases

  • Early Career (1978–1990s): Cut his teeth covering municipal politics and local business shifts, developing a reputation for granular community-focused reporting.
  • Urban Revitalization Era (2000s): Tracked London’s downtown renewal efforts, including the controversial Dundas Place redesign and Palasad North redevelopment.
  • Cannabis Industry Boom (2018–present): Pioneered coverage of Ontario’s legalized cannabis market, profiling growers, retailers, and regulatory challenges.

Signature Articles

New Fanshawe Campus Opens Next Week as Downtown Milestone

This 2018 piece dissected the $77 million Fanshawe College campus project, blending urban planning analysis with stakeholder interviews. Daniszewski highlighted how the development aimed to revitalize a struggling retail corridor while addressing workforce training gaps. His methodology paired architectural renderings with economic impact projections from city planners, creating a multidimensional view of public-private partnerships. The article became a reference point for subsequent coverage of education-driven urban renewal.

Tech Companies Anchor Downtown London’s Office Space Shuffle

Analyzing a quiet transformation in 2018, Daniszewski mapped how mid-sized tech firms like Arcane Technologies and Voices.com were reshaping commercial real estate. By cross-referencing property records with employment data, he revealed a 22% increase in tech-sector leasing activity over five years. The piece presciently noted this trend’s role in cushioning downtown vacancy rates during retail’s decline—a thesis validated by post-pandemic hybrid work patterns.

Strathroy Cannabis Plant to Produce Pot-Based Beverages

In this 2018 exclusive, Daniszewski broke news about Canopy Growth’s $30 million facility expansion into cannabis-infused drinks. The article balanced investor excitement with regulatory hurdles, quoting Health Canada officials and beverage industry veterans. Its impact extended beyond London, influencing provincial debates about cannabis product diversification.

Beat Analysis & Pitching Recommendations

Focus on Hyperlocal Economic Impacts

Daniszewski prioritizes stories where business developments intersect with community outcomes. A successful 2023 pitch detailed how a new distribution center created childcare demand in rural Thamesville. When approaching him, emphasize localized data—e.g., “Our agri-tech startup’s expansion could create 40 jobs in Middlesex County.”

Leverage Municipal Policy Angles

His coverage of London’s six-story wood-frame apartment approval process demonstrates interest in regulatory innovation. Pitches about zoning changes, tax incentives, or sustainability certifications should include municipal staff perspectives.

Track Emerging Industries Beyond Cannabis

While known for cannabis reporting, Daniszewski’s 2024 piece on a hydrogen fuel cell plant shows expanding interests. Pitches about cleantech, advanced manufacturing, or agricultural tech should highlight Ontario-specific supply chain connections.

Awards and Achievements

Western University Alumni Gazette Feature

Daniszewski’s 2015 profile of alumni entrepreneurs was cited by the university’s development office as a catalyst for increased local philanthropy. The piece exemplified his ability to connect personal narratives to broader economic trends.

“Bright Ideas” Series Recognition

His 2010–2012 series profiling London’s tech innovators earned praise from the Canadian Association of Journalists for bridging business and science communication. The articles remain required reading in Western University’s media studies curriculum.

Top Articles

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