Banff World Media Festival Announces CBC-Radio Canada Opening Keynote Speaker

^[1]The Banff World Media Festival ^[1] today proudly announced that Paul Lee, President of ABC Entertainment Group, will be the CBC/Radio-Canada Opening Keynote Speaker at this year’s Festival being held in June at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The head of all creative and business operations for ABC Studios and Times Square Studios, as well as all development, programming, marketing and scheduling operations for ABC Entertainment, Paul Lee will deliver his Keynote Address on Monday, June 11, 2012.

“We’re extremely delighted to feature Paul Lee as our Opening Keynote Speaker at this year’s Festival,” said Ferne Cohen, Executive Director of the Banff World Media Festival. “We look forward to him sharing his vast expertise and insights with our delegates. His keynote address will be a great way to kick off what promises to be a wonderful and leading-edge BANFF.”

“I’m honored to deliver the opening address for this year’s Banff World Media Festival,” said Lee. “This is a pivotal time for television and digital media, and I look forward to continuing the dialogue with thought leaders from around the world about the opportunities ahead and the innovations that will shape the future of our industry.”

Paul Lee has had an illustrious career in the entertainment industry, spending several years at BBC where he was the CEO and founder of BBC America, before going to work at ABC. At ABC, Lee was responsible for leading ABC Family from 2004-2010, where he revitalized the cable channel with an ambitious slate of original and acquired programs. During his tenure, ABC Family had an amazing six+ years of consecutive growth. Since taking over as ABC President in July, 2010, Paul Lee has shepherded in 13 new series, working with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Tim Allen in “Last Man Standing,” Darren Star (“Sex in the City”) for “G.C.B.,” Ashley Judd in “Missing,” and Steven Spielberg for “The River.”