The digital executive and entrepreneur brings over four decades of experience in digital media and journalism innovation to the Sault Ste. Marie-headquarted digital news publisher, including serving as CEO of Salon Media Group, Worldwide Services at Apple, and Vice President of Content at early consumer broadband provider, @Home Network.

Village Media currently owns and operates 26 local news sites in Ontario, five other news-related sites, and licenses its publishing platform, Villager, to another 120 publications across Canada and the U.S. It’s expanded over the past year into social networking, with the launch of SPACES in several communities it serves.

“Richard’s extensive experience in digital media and his commitment to journalistic integrity align perfectly with our mission to innovate and strengthen local news,” said Village Media CEO Jeff Elgie, in a company announcement. “I have worked with Richard for many years and he has become both a mentor of mine and a passionate supporter of the work we do. His leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve our communities.”

Gingras also helped found global think tank, the Center for News, Technology & Innovation, and the Trust Project, a global initiative to promote transparency and trust in journalism. He currently serves on the boards of the First Amendment Coalition, the International Center for Journalists, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, the UC Berkeley School of Journalism, and PRX, the public media podcast network.

“I am honoured to join Village Media as Chair of the Board,” said Gingras. “Village Media’s dedication to local journalism and strengthening local communities is of critical value and  importance. I look forward to working with Jeff and the talented Village team to further their mission and explore new avenues for innovation in local news delivery.”

The post Village Media names Google VP of News Richard Gingras as board chair appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

Eatrides, whose background includes both public and private sector experience, begins her five-year appointment Jan. 5.

Most recently Assistant Deputy Minister at Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada, Eatrides began her career practising federal regulatory law at Stikeman Elliott LLP in 2000. She joined the federal public service in 2005 where she held numerous executive positions at the Competition Bureau over a 12-year period, including Senior Deputy Commissioner of Competition, Cartels and Deceptive Marketing Practices. She also spent two years with Natural Resources Canada as Director General, Strategic Policy and Planning with the Major Projects Management Office. Additionally, she has taught Competition Law at Queen’s University.

Canadian Heritage says Eatrides’ expertise spans telecommunications, broadcasting and new technologies, including leading merger reviews, civil and criminal investigations, and regulatory interventions.

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has also announced the appointments of Alicia Barin and Adam Scott as Vice-Chairpersons of the CRTC for five-year terms, effective Feb. 8 and January 16, respectively.

Barin has served as Interim Vice-Chairperson since Aug. 8. She was first appointed to the CRTC in 2019 as the Regional Commissioner for Quebec. She previously spent over 20 years in the broadcast industry as Vice-President of Strategic Planning for Astral Media, prior to its acquisition by Bell Media in 2013.

Scott currently serves as Director General of the Spectrum Policy Branch at ISED, where he is responsible for spectrum auctions, spectrum economics and regulatory best practices in the spectrum program. He has worked at ISED since 2001 and was previously Senior Director of the Telecommunications Policy Branch, advising government on telecommunications regulatory and competition issues, as well as shaping policy for closing broadband gaps in rural Canada. He has also served as Director of International Telecommunications Policy, Senior Advisor to the Associate Deputy Minister and government advisor to the board of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, the organization that manages the .CA domain.

“The CRTC has an important mandate to deliver for Canadians. Technology has fundamentally changed how we communicate with each other and how we create and consume culture. The new leadership team at the CRTC will help modernize the regulator and stand up for Canadians and for our creative professionals,” said Rodriguez in a release. “Congratulations to Vicky Eatrides, Alicia Barin and Adam Scott on their appointments. The CRTC will undoubtedly benefit from the shared digital, broadcasting and telecommunication expertise that these leaders will bring to the table. I would also like to thank outgoing Chair Ian Scott and Vice-Chair Christianne Laizner for their outstanding service to the CRTC and Canadians over the years.”

Canadian Heritage has also announced the reappointment of Michael Goldbloom to a second five-year term as Chairperson of CBC/Radio-Canada’s Board of Directors effective March 29. He was first appointed to the position in March 2018.

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Fecan has been in the leadership role for the last six years, in addition to serving as the producer and an executive producer of Thunderbird-produced CBC sitcom Kim’s Convenience.

Brian Paes-Braga will take over as Chair of Thunderbird’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. A large shareholder of the company, Paes-Braga has served on the Board of Directors since Oct. 2018. The entrepreneur and philanthropist is currently Principal, Head of Merchant Banking at Vancouver-based SAF Group.

“I wish to personally thank Ivan Fecan for his dedication and leadership as we built Thunderbird’s business together over the past six years. I have known him since my Lionsgate days and have always regarded Ivan as a national treasure. His experience and wisdom was invaluable when it was needed most, and we are looking forward to our continued collaboration in Ivan’s ongoing role as the producer of our worldwide hit series Kim’s Convenience,” said Frank Giustra, Lead Director on Thunderbird’s Board of Directors and founder of Lionsgate Entertainment, in a release. “I am also looking forward to working with Brian Paes-Braga in his new role as Chair. Having worked with Brian on a number of ventures, I know how his talents will benefit all of our shareholders. This is an exciting time for Thunderbird Entertainment, and Brian will bring his energy, people skills and leadership to the table, as he works with Jennifer Twiner McCarron and the rest of our management team to take Thunderbird to new levels.”

Fecan has been an established media executive for nearly four decades, serving as vice-president, Creative Affairs at NBC in the mid-1980s, before returning to Canada to become director of television programming for CBC. Shows like Degrassi High, Road to Avonlea, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and Kids in the Hall came to life during his tenure. Fecan left the public broadcaster in 1994 to become president and CEO of Baton Broadcasting and later CTVglobemedia. He was CEO of the CTV Television Network from 1996 to 2011.

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The post Ivan Fecan transitioning out of Thunderbird executive chair role to focus on producing appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.