An Annual Conference on the Future of Content in Digital Media
Introductory Welcome: Ken Rogers, Associate Director of the MBA Program in Arts Media and Entertainment, Schulich School of Business, York University
Short Digital Media Performance or Production
Is Television As We Know It Doomed?
What is the future of local television in a world where cable penetration is declining and younger viewers are only watching on line? How is the rise of digital media affecting program rights? Are streaming services going to displace conventional media?
Trina McQueen, Schulich’s Bell Media Professor in Media Management
Jeff Hersh, Vice-President, Strategy and Distribution, Bell Media
Barry Kiefl, President, Canadian Media Research Inc.
Barb McKergow, Senior VP National Advertising Revenue, Corus Entertainment Inc.
Kristian Roberts, Partner, Nordicity Group Limited
Break
Canadian Content on Streaming Services; What’s Coming Next?
As streaming services continue to attract audiences and revenues, the government has initiated steps to require them to contribute to Canadian content. If so, on what basis? What role should the CRTC play? Will the Canadian content be diverse? And how will traditional media be affected? Moderator
Grant Buchanan, Senior Counsel, McCarthy Tétrault
Noreen Halpern, Founder, Halfire Entertainment
Reynolds Mastin, CEO, Canadian Media Producers Association
Monique Simard, Member, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel
Kelly Wilhelm, Chief Strategy Officer, Canada Media Fund
Break
Responding to the Covid-19 Crisis; analysis of strategies for each creative sector
Every sector of the creative community has been adversely affected by the pandemic. But each of them has a different strategy to try to recover. This panel examines the state of play in the music business and the film and TV sector, as well as the impact of the pandemic on theatres and concert halls. Can the experience with live sports provide some answers?
Charles Davis, Associate Dean, Ryerson
Sarah Bay-Cheng, Dean, School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design, York University
Erin Benjamin, President and CEO, Canadian Live Music Association
Bill Skolnik, Co-Chair, Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expression
Beth Stevenson, Founder, Brain Power Studio
Short Digital Media Performance or Production
Introductory Welcome: Don McLean, Dean, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
Short Digital Media Performance or Production
Diversity and the Creative Sector: Addressing the Challenge
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, focus is being put on giving greater opportunities for creators from the black, racialized and Indigenous communities. Efforts are also underway to promote gender diversity and representation from the gay community. This panel examines the current state of play in Canada. What programs are available to promote diversity in the creative sector? Do we have role models? What is the situation on digital platforms like YouTube? How is the music industry affected?
Dwight Drummond, Principal Anchor, CBC Toronto News
Erin Carroll, Chair, PRISM Advisory Committee established by MusicOntario
Tamara Dawit, Lead Support for Underrepresented Communities, Canada Media Fund
Tracey Deer, Chair, Women in View; Producer, Mohawk Princess Pictures
Jennifer Holness, Co-Founder, Black Screen Office
Break
Journalism Under Siege: The Latest News About the News Problem
Canada’s news business is in the middle of a crisis. With ad revenue migrating to the internet, local newspapers are disappearing and journalism is under threat. This panel assesses the situation and the possible solutions.
Jesse Langdon, General Counsel, Globe and Mail
Kevin Desjardins, President, Canadian Association of Broadcasters
Jeff Elgie, CEO, Village Media Inc.
John Hinds, President and CEO, News Media Canada
Jason Kee, Counsel, Public Policy and Government Relations, Google Canada
Break
YouTube and Canadian Content Creation: Screen Media Innovation in a Fast-Cycle, Open Environment
A 2019 study by researchers at Ryerson University showed there were about 160,000 Canadian content creators on YouTube, including 40,000 who have enough of an audience to monetize their channels. This panel explores the world of YouTube, the economics of its operation in Canada, and its potential role in developing Canadian content.
Doug Barrett, Adjunct Professor, MBA Program in Arts, Media and Entertainment Management, Schulich School of Business, York University
Irene Berkowitz, Audience Lab, Ryerson University
Aysha Harun, YouTube Creator from Scarborough
Jocelyn Mercer, CMO and Co-CEO of How To Cake It Inc.
Andrew Peterson, Head of Content Partnerships, YouTube Canada
Short Digital Media Performance or Production
Termination of Program
