The Canada Media Fund (CMF) last week announced a new chair and the appointment of a new director to its board.
Michael Schmalz has been elected as chair of the board, succeeding outgoing chair Alain Cousineau, who left the board of directors after an 11-year tenure.
Appointed as a CMF board director by the Department of Canadian Heritage in 2017, Schmalz resides in London, Ont., is fully bilingual, and brings more than 17 years of experience in the digital media industry, with a focus on gaming innovation.
René Guimond has been appointed as a director of the CMF board by the Canadian Coalition for Cultural Expression (CCCE), which represents Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors. A seasoned executive and consultant, Guimond’s career spans four decades and includes executive-level positions in advertising, public affairs and broadcasting. In 1998, he was appointed president and CEO of the TQS television network when it was owned by Quebecor, and in 2005 he was named president and CEO of Cogeco Radio-Television, directing the TQS network and Cogeco’s radio operations. In 2008, he was appointed vice president of new media development at Cogeco Cable, and was later named senior vice president of public affairs and communications at Cogeco Inc. He currently works as a consultant.
Guimond joins CMF board chair Michael Schmalz and directors Alison Clayton, Barry Chapman, Chantale Coulombe, Gary Pizante, Guy Fournier, Russell Grosse and Sanae Takahashi.
“I want to thank outgoing chair Alain Cousineau for his 11 years of service on the CMF’s board of directors,” Schmalz said in a statement. “We are grateful for his dedication, expertise, insights, and commitment to high standards of corporate governance — Mr. Cousineau leaves behind a future-ready organization. And on behalf of the CMF and the board of directors, I wish to extend a warm welcome to René Guimond. We are eager to collaborate with Mr. Guimond to guide the CMF forward amidst a wide-reaching industry modernization effort.”
Photos of (l-r) Michael Schmalz and René Guimond courtesy of the Canada Media Fund.
