CMF announces new appointments aim to better serve screen-based industries

With an ongoing focus on building a more inclusive screen-based sector, the Canada Media Fund (CMF) has taken the next step in our restructuring efforts by welcoming five new leaders to the management team: Jessica Lea Fleming; Marcia Douglas; Mireille Darveau; Kyle O’Byrne and Jared Morrow.

Alongside the executive team, the five directors will help to implement a new content-centric, platform-agnostic funding model to better invest in authentic stories from across Canada, realize an Equity & Inclusion strategy, and strengthen the communications with the public, the industry, and government.

“I’m delighted to welcome this group of dedicated professionals to our team,” says Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF. “Thanks to their combined skillset and experience, the CMF is better equipped to support the industry and all of Canada’s content creators through this time of great change—change that is long overdue. Restructuring the CMF’s leadership is one of the fundamental ways we can ensure we are future ready, as an organization and a sector.”

NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM
Jessica Lea Fleming (Métis/Scottish-Settler) joins the CMF as Director of Growth & Inclusion. Working closely with Tamara Dawit, VP of Growth & Inclusion, Jessica will evaluate, develop, and help execute the CMF’s inclusion initiatives within the context of the organization’s Growth Strategy, and Equity and Inclusion Strategy.

Marcia Douglas joins the CMF as Director of English Content, International and Export. Reporting to Rod Butler, VP of Content & Regulatory, Marcia will help develop CMF policy and analyze regulatory issues that impact the CMF and the industry.

Mireille Darveau joins the CMF as Director of French Content. Also reporting to Rod Butler, she will help develop policy, streamline and improve internal processes, and better position the CMF to adapt to further legislative and industrial changes.

Kyle O’Byrne joins the CMF as Director of Public Affairs. Reporting to Mathieu Chantelois, EVP of Marketing & Public Affairs, Kyle will develop the CMF’s national public affairs strategy and work closely with federal and provincial governments and other key players in the sector.

Jared Morrow joins the organization as Director of Communications. Also reporting to Mathieu Chantelois, Jared will oversee the CMF’s internal and external communications strategy.

“After long searches and many conversations with talented people who want to make a lasting contribution to our industry, we found these five experts in their fields who I know will bring renewed energy to our organization,” adds Creighton. “New ideas, new visions. This is what we need to position the CMF for the future and better embrace Canada’s stories—stories that audiences are craving at home and across the globe. We are living in a time of unprecedented content creation, and with this team on board, I am excited to build an even stronger Canada Media Fund that will continue to champion Canadian talent.”