OTTAWA – Michael MacMillan, executive chairman of Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. has been chosen as the recipient of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ 2005 Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence, the association announced today.
“The award honours truly outstanding service to Canadian private broadcasting, and recognizes exceptional human qualities and practical, innovative achievements that reflect a genuine concern for the highest broadcasting standards,” says the press release. 
MacMillan (left) has spent his career in private broadcasting and film production. In 1978, he co-founded Atlantis Films Limited, which later became Atlantis Communications Inc. In 1998, Atlantis Communications Inc. purchased with Alliance Communications Corporation to become Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.
Today, under MacMillan’s continued leadership, the company has grown tremendously and now operates 13 Canadian specialty television networks. It also co-owns and co-produces the hit CSI franchise, and holds a 51% limited partnership in Motion Picture Distribution LP, Canada’s leading film distributor.
Headquartered in Toronto, Alliance Atlantis operates offices in Montreal, Halifax, Los Angeles, Madrid and Barcelona (Spain), Dublin (Ireland), London (UK) and Sydney (Australia), making it one of the country’s most dynamic media companies.
“Michael MacMillan has led Canada’s new generation of broadcast entrepreneurs”, said Glenn O’Farrell, president and CEO of the CAB.
“He has set new standards of accomplishment and redefined the business of specialty and pay television in this country. He is most deserving of this award.”
MacMillan will be awarded private broadcasting’s highest honour at the Hall of Fame Luncheon on Monday, November 7, in Winnipeg.
