Melissa Ahlstrand is Marketing Director, Americas, Hayu, NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer (NBCUIN & DTC), where she is a regional marketing lead for Hayu, the all-reality streaming service. Based in Toronto, she is responsible for marketing strategies that drive Canadian audience growth, engagement and retention.

In her role, Ahlstrand oversees the...show more

Kevin is Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Lionsgate Television Group and Chairman, International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He has spearheaded the strategic expansion of Lionsgate’s television production operations into one of the largest independent television businesses in the world.

Kevin has shepherded iconic series including eight seasons of the multiple...show more

Mark Bishop is Co-President of Blue Ant Studios. He joined Blue Ant Media after its acquisition of the award-winning production and distribution company, marblemedia and its distribution company, D360, which he co-founded with Matthew Hornburg and served as co-CEO for over 20 years.

Mark is responsible for overseeing and growing the...show more

Drew Buckley, Group President, Chief Operating Officer and board member of Propagate Content. Buckley, was the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Electus (NASDAQ:IAC), which was acquired by Propagate Content in late 2018. 

Buckley oversees all business affairs, corporate development, finance, production, operations, and direct-to-consumer offerings.  Buckley is also responsible for...show more

Sally Catto is the General Manager of Entertainment, Factual and Sports for CBC. She oversees the strategic direction for all Entertainment, Factual and Sports content across all platforms including CBC TV, CBC Gem and CBC Listen. Content includes drama, comedy, factual entertainment, arts, documentary, kids, sports, podcasts, books, radio & audio...show more

Bing Chen is Executive Chairman and Founder of AU holdings, CEO and Co-Founder of Gold House and General Partner and Co Founder of Aum Group. Bing’s work focuses on incubating and investing in multicultural creators, companies, and communities to rebalance socioeconomic equity. Previously, he was YouTube's Global Head of Creator Development and...show more

Aubrey Clarke is a Commissioning Executive in the BBC Children’s 7+ Commissioning team with a remit that covers scripted drama and animation with a focus on international co-productions. He is the executive producer on popular shows such as The Next Step, The Next Step: Cheer, Home Sweet Rome, Little Lunch:...show more

Appointed President of Bell Media, Canada’s premier media company, in 2023, Cohan is responsible for Bell Media’s globally unique portfolio of video, audio, digital, and out-of-home advertising assets, brands, and content. These include Canada’s #1 broadcast network (CTV), its leading sports properties (TSN & RDS), #1 national and local news...show more

Tom Cox has been producing original scripted content for Canadian and world audiences for more than thirty years. SEVEN24 Films, specializing in unique scripted content with global appeal, was recently named Playback Magazine’s Production Company of the Year.

Current productions include; Family Law for Corus and CW, JANN for CTV, RIDE...show more

Valerie Creighton is an industry leader in arts, culture, and media, recognized for reenergizing some of the country’s most important organizations in the sector over a period spanning close to four decades. An expert in organizational change, Valerie has been recognized as a visionary in promoting Canada’s cultural wealth.

Currently serving...show more

Till Derenbach is CEO and Executive Producer of Zeitsprung Pictures, the Cologne-based production company founded in 1985 by producer Michael Souvignier. Since 2008, Derenbach has jointly overseen the company’s productions and has played a key role in shaping its creative direction and strategic growth.

He began his...show more

James Farr oversees development strategy and leads the creation of premium unscripted series and specials for major global broadcasters and streaming platforms at Cream Productions. A long-time member of the company’s senior leadership team, he has built and guided a diverse slate spanning history, science, pop culture, and true crime.

His...show more

Two-time Grammy and five-time Emmy nominated Emmy Winner, Music Supervisor, Nora Felder’s tenure in music began working with legendary music producer, Phil Ramone, spearheading recording projects as Vice President of Phil Ramone Inc. with artist greats, such as Paul Simon, Sinead O'Connor, Malcolm McLaren, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett and Iggy Pop.

Fast-forward...show more

Prentiss Fraser is President, FOX Entertainment Global, overseeing worldwide distribution, formats and off-platform sales for the FOX Television Network and FOX Entertainment Studios’ entire portfolio of in-house production engines, including its scripted content unit, FOX Alternative Entertainment, award-winning animation studio Bento Box Entertainment, Studio Ramsay Global in partnership with culinary...show more

Brendan Gaul is Global Chief Entertainment Officer at McCann, where he develops original narrative, unscripted, and theatrical projects under the TRAVERSE32 banner, a New York based global branded entertainment production company and development studio that he co-founded and where he serves as Co-President. An award-winning producer, his work has been honored at...show more

Brenda Gilbert is a Producer, Executive Producer, Mentor, and Entrepreneur. As former President of BRON Media Corporation she had co-founded and built an independent studio with her husband that had been part of over 130 projects, earning over 250 Film Festival Award nominations and 38 Academy Award nominations (with 6...show more

Chief Creative Officer | Executive Producer | Creator | Director

Emmy Award • Cannes Lions • Critics Choice Award • NAACP Award Winner

Kevin S. Healey is one of the most successful creators of hidden-camera and alternative entertainment formats working today, with a career spanning globally recognized television franchises, hit streaming films,...show more

Rodrigo Herrera Ibarguengoytia is a Director for Drama at ZDF Studios, the commercial arm of German public broadcaster ZDF. There he is responsible for sales and acquisitions of scripted projects across Scandinavia and English-speaking territories.

Prior to joining ZDF Studios, Rodrigo worked as the VP Scripted Acquisitions and Co-productions at Seven.One...show more

Lisa Holme is Head of Content for Roku Media, overseeing the vision, creative strategy, and go-to-market execution for all content initiatives. She leads The Roku Channel and the teams behind Roku Originals, Acquisitions, Programming, AVOD/FAST, Roku Sports, Roku Brand Studio, and This Old House.

With nearly 20 years in media and...show more

Richard Jean-Baptiste is a Montreal-based executive producer and business innovation leader with over 25 years of experience in film, television, and digital storytelling. He currently leads Attria Media, part of the Attraction group, where he develops original fiction and documentary projects while supporting diverse voices, particularly BIPOC creators, across both...show more

Kevin Johnson is the CEO of WPP Media Canada and President of WPP Canada, bringing over two decades of leadership to drive growth for WPP Media (Formerly GroupM) in one of the world’s largest advertising markets. A seasoned media executive, Kevin is a passionate advocate for inclusion, mentorship, and equity—championing...show more

Gwen Jones is a senior media executive with nearly 30 years of experience in domestic and international content distribution. Currently, she serves as the Director, Distribution at CBC/Radio-Canada, where she manages domestic content sales, overseeing the licensing and distribution of their extensive content library to Canadian media platforms.

She also leads...show more

Formerly the Senior Vice President, International Originals for HBO Max, Jeniffer Kim was responsible for commissioning original series and co-productions for the platform in international markets targeted for U.S. and global audiences.

Among her HBO Max titles include the critically acclaimed original It’s a Sin from screenwriter Russell T. Davies, Spanish...show more

Morad Koufane holds a degree from the Institute of Political Studies in Lyon and a DESS in audiovisual communication law from Paris-Sorbonne. He began his career at the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (1994), before joining the French Embassy in New York as assistant audiovisual attaché (1995–1998), then serving as Audiovisual...show more

Lisa Kramer is President of International Content Licensing for Paramount Global Content Distribution, where she leads international licensing and marketing teams for the division. With her oversight spanning 20 offices around the world, she leads the team distributing an extensive portfolio of film and television content outside the U.S. to...show more

Keri Levinsky is a senior media executive with deep expertise in content acquisition, distribution strategy, and partnership development across the Canadian entertainment landscape. Currently she leads Content Acquisition for Canada at Roku, where she leads strategic content partnerships for the territory.

Prior to joining Roku, Keri spent more than a...show more

Nikki Love is Senior Vice President of Development and Production, Scripted, for WE tv and ALLBLK, AMC Networks’ premier streaming service for Black television and film. In this role, she serves as the primary liaison between the networks and content partners across all phases of scripted development, production, and...show more

David Madden currently serves as President of WEBTOON Productions, the fan-driven studio and IP business from WEBTOON Entertainment. He oversees development, production, and sales for the company’s global TV, feature film, and animation businesses. Madden serves as Executive Producer on the studio’s adaptations of popular Wattpad webnovels and WEBTOON webcomics.

Previously,...show more

Zach Marcovici is currently Executive in Charge of Development for CBC Drama, where he is responsible for developing high quality original drama series.

Prior to joining CBC, he was Director of Development & Production at BentFrame Film & TV, overseeing a slate of female-driven TV projects for the Canadian and international...show more

Marie McCann is the Senior Director of Children's Content at CBC, Canada’s national public broadcaster. CBC Kids' mandate is to create and curate content that entertains, informs and reflects the diversity of kids in Canada from two to teen.

McCann's career in children's media began at TVOntario as a writer/producer where...show more

Anishinaabe filmmaker Lisa Meeches is one of the most respected producers in the film industry, and is a Member of the Order of Canada and Order of Manitoba. Originally from Long Plain First Nation, Sandy Bay First Nation, and Ebb and Flow First Nation, Lisa studied broadcasting in North Dakota,...show more

Robin Mirsky is Executive Director of the Rogers Group of Funds. Robin joined Rogers Communications in 1989.  She is responsible for the Rogers Group of Funds, which includes the Rogers Telefund, a $32 million interim financing fund for Canadian independent productions, the Rogers Series Fund, a $6 million equity investment...show more

As Director of Development for CBC Comedy, Samantha Morris Mastai is responsible for driving and overseeing the quality and diversity of the comedy development slate.

Before joining CBC, Samantha was an Executive Producer and VP of Scripted at Lark Productions/Universal International Studios, leading development and production of scripted television for the...show more

With over 25 years of experience across the industry, Rachel Nelson spearheads a diverse portfolio of Scripted and Unscripted content as Vice President of Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios at Corus Entertainment. In this role, Rachel leads strategies for commissioning, developing, and producing first class series for Corus’...show more

Proinsias leads TG4’s factual output, commissioning content for TV and digital platforms in factual, specialist factual, arts and culture genres. She is also the Executive Producer of the channel’s landmark live events.

She manages TG4’s premiere primetime factual slot, commissioning mini-series, single hours and feature films for TV, theatrical and online...show more

Cara Nye is a media executive dedicated to authentic, inclusive storytelling. Since joining AMI-tv in 2012, she has built a strong track record in Canadian broadcasting, developing a range of impactful series including Pretty Blind, We Were Broncos, Crip Trip, and Underdog Inc.

She is responsible for screening pitches, show development,...show more

Andrew Peterson is the Head of YouTube Canada, where he oversees the content, creator and viewer ecosystems for the country.

In his role, Andrew works with the next generation of independent content creators through to the largest media, entertainment and news publishers in the country. His team focuses on...show more

Adam Puchalsky is a leading voice at the intersection of entertainment, marketing, and brand storytelling. As President of the Brand Studio at Blink49 Studios, he is spearheading the development of high-impact, culturally resonant content designed to connect brands with audiences through premium entertainment. With over 20 years of experience, Adam...show more

Viviane Richard is an Acquisition and Co-Production Executive in the Drama Department at ZDF Studios. Since joining the company in 2017, she has worked across international projects spanning early development through to ready-mades, combining editorial insight with pragmatic production know-how.

Viviane has overseen production management on a range of (co-)productions, including...show more

Jane Rimer was appointed SVP, Canada, at Banijay Rights in early 2020, following Banijay’s acquisition of Endemol Shine Group.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the international media and entertainment sector, Jane today oversees all sales and content partnership opportunities in Canada for Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay...show more

Adam Rodness is a producer, actor, and writer and the co-founder of Toronto-based production company 5’7 Films. Rodness began his career producing music videos for major recording artists including Eminem, Drake, Usher, and The Black Eyed Peas, before transitioning into film and television. Rodness co-created and produced the Rockie Award–nominated CBC...show more

Jessica Schmiedchen oversees development of original content and formats in the factual, entertainment and documentary series genres at CBC and CBC Gem. She is responsible for sourcing the best new formats from around the world, and working with Canada's independent production community to bring their original ideas to life.

Since joining...show more

Denise Seneviratne is Commissioning Editor for NonScripted UK Originals at 5, reporting to Chief Content Officer, Ben Frow. In her role, she is responsible for growing and shaping the broadcaster’s factual slate, driven by a passion for stories that surprise, inspire, and connect with audiences.

Her recent commissions include Diana’s Wedding...show more

Jarrett Sherman is an Emmy-nominated engagement strategist and the founder of SuperServe, a strategy-led consultancy that helps creators, entertainment companies, and audience-driven brands turn loyalty into a repeatable growth and revenue advantage.

He specializes in entertainment-tested fandom mechanics – return rituals, recognition, access, and participation loops – that convert passive...show more

Sam Sniderman is President of Electric Palm Media, a Los Angeles-based advisory firm specializing in strategy, corporate development and value creation for global content businesses. He works with leading producers, studios and investors on growth, M&A and evolving business models across film, television and digital media.

Sniderman has been a senior...show more

As VP, Content Development & Programming, Justin Stockman is responsible for English TV programming including CTV, Crave and Bell Media’s suite of English language specialty channels with a focus on developing groundbreaking new content and international content sales. Stockman’s role includes the ongoing negotiation and development of Bell Media’s Original...show more

Stu Stone is a filmmaker, producer, and actor who began his career as a child and built an impressive list of film and television credits. He is best known for voicing Ralphie in the beloved animated series The Magic School Bus and for appearing in films such as Donnie Darko and The...show more

Michelle Strong is Co-President of Distribution for A+E Global Media™. In this role, alongside Co-President Jane Rice, Strong jointly oversee all distribution operations for A+E Global Media’s domestic, Caribbean and Canadian portfolios, including platform distribution, partnerships and marketing. Together, they bring decades of expertise and complementary strengths to their roles.

Known...show more

Jennifer Twiner McCarronisPresident of Blue Ant’s Kids, Family and Young Adult (YA) division, where oversees all animation and live action.

Jennifer joined animation studio Atomic Cartoons (Atomic) in 2011 and helped grow it from a 10-person team into an industry leader in kids and family content. In 2016, she was appointed...show more

Patrick Vien is Group Managing Director, International at A+E Global Media, a global media and entertainment company with a collection of culture brands that includes A&E, HISTORY, HISTORY2, BLAZE, Crime & Investigation, Lifetime, Lifetime Movies, FYI, VICELAND and BIOGRAPHY. Patrick, in collaboration with his teams and A+E's various partners around...show more