TORONTO – TVOntario’s latest board appointments show a bit of the new direction the provincial educational public broadcaster is headed.
"As TVO moves forward with its transformation to digital production and financial sustainability, the recent appointment of two new board members with strong financial and corporate strategy backgrounds was greeted with enthusiasm by Peter O’Brian (chairman of the TV board of directors)," says the release.
The Ontario Government recently appointed Ajay K. Agrawal, professor with the Rotman School of Management, and Kambiz Kazemi-Moud, senior vice-president with Fimat Canada Inc, to the OECA Board of Directors. The OECA (Ontario Educational Communications Authority) is the corporate name of the crown agency which operates TVO and the Independent Learning Centre (ILC).
"Professor Agrawal is a well-respected figure in the academic world, especially in relation to innovative corporate and technological strategies," said O’Brian, in the press release, "while Mr. Kazemi is involved in corporate finance. They both bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Board."
Professor Agrawal, Peter Munk Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, has taught courses in competition and strategy in creative industries, and corporate strategy at the school since 2003. Before that he was an assistant professor with Queen’s University School of Business.
Kazemi, a chartered financial analyst, is senior vice-president of institutional sales and trading with Fimat Canada, one of the world’s largest global brokerage organizations.
TVO is nearly one year into a plan to "renew and transform itself for the new world of digital media," says the release.
"Once we become fully digital, we’ll have an even greater impact in the province by making our unique content accessible to kids, parents, and all Ontarians, on whatever platform they choose. This revitalization will also allow us to begin developing new revenue streams associated with digital technology," said CEO Lisa de Wilde.
"As we move in this exciting new direction, having two people with the impressive track record and commitment to the public good that Ajay and Kambiz have is a real asset for our board."
