TORONTO – Broadcasting veteran Kevin Shea has been named chair of the Ontario Media Development Corporation, a provincial agency that promotes investment and employment in six cultural industries.
Shea was most recently the president and CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio, but recently started a consulting firm, SheaChez Inc., with clients including the CBC, Standard Broadcasting, and Telus Communications. He’s also been president and CEO of YTV Canada, president and COO of the Global Television Network, and executive VP at Bell Globemedia.
“I am thrilled to become the OMDC’s new chair at such an exciting and pivotal time in its history," said Shea in a release. "In particular, I look forward to the challenge of leading the implementation of the cultural media industries strategy. The sector will be among the top three growth industries over the next two decades. We need to ensure that Ontario’s industries not only thrive but grow."
Shea has also chaired the Canadian Association of Broadcasters TV Board and the Canadian Film Centre. Shea holds several directorships, including one with Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc., which produces Arthur, Caillou and Doddlebops.
The OMDC was created by the province in 2000 to boost Ontario’s television, film, interactive digital media, magazine publishing, music, and book publishing industries both home and abroad. The OMDC also administers six cultural industries tax credits programs.
"A television broadcasting veteran, Kevin Shea is also a new media pioneer," said Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco. "The OMDC will benefit tremendously from his knowledge, expertise and spirit of innovation."
