[1]Bell Media [1] has announced the completion of the re-alignment of its Independent Production unit, as well as key appointments to the team. Headed by Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, the unit has been re-structured to reflect development and production of original Canadian production by genre across all Bell Media properties, representing a change from the previous channel-specific model.
“It was important to us to put the most efficient structure in place to support Canadian independent production,” said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. “Under Corrie’s leadership, we now have the best team in place to take projects from concept to screens for all of our properties, and bring to life material that makes Canadians laugh, cry and everything in between.”
The three appointments, reporting to Coe:
- Trish Williams has been promoted to Director, Independent Production, Drama
In the role since June of this year, Williams is responsible for the development of dramatic material airing across Bell Media’s family of channels, including CTV, SPACE, MUCHMUSIC and Bravo! Since joining the company in 2008, she has served as Production Executive on four seasons of CTV’s smash, cross-border hit FLASHPOINT, along with THE LISTENER and DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION. She is currently overseeing production for Bell Media’s upcoming six-part scripted series HIGHLAND GARDENS. Joining Williams on the Drama team are Rebecca DiPasquale, Robin Johnston, and Gosia Kamela, Production Executives, Drama; and Mike Richardson and Angelika Walaszczyk. Johnston, based in Halifax, also spearheads various regional independent production efforts across all genres. - Sarah Fowlie has been promoted to Director, Independent Production, Comedy
Fowlie leads the development of comedic productions to air across Bell Media’s family of channels, including CTV, The Comedy Network, SPACE, MuchMusic, and Bravo! Fowlie began her career at Bell Media in 1997 at The Comedy Network and has developed strong relationships with the Canadian comedy community. She has held a range of positions in Acquisitions, Original Development and In-House Production, and has acted as Production Executive on many original independent productions for Bell Media, notably PICNICFACE, HOT BOX, THE JON DORE TELEVISION SHOW, and the upcoming A RUSSELL PETERS CHRISTMAS. Joining Sarah on the Comedy team are Jake Labow, Production Executive, Comedy; and Kara Haflidson. - Susan Makela has been appointed Director, Canadian Programming Management
Makela directs independent production strategies and manages relationships with industry stakeholders, including funders, partners and competitors. Formerly with Corus Television in such roles as Director of Program Funds and Policy, and most recently as Director of Network Content, Original, Makela brings a wealth of experience to the policy, funding, regulatory and financing side of independent productions for Bell Media.
Factual and Reality development and production for Bell Media will continue to be overseen directly by Coe.