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A NEW LEADER FOR CHALLENGING TIMES
Dynamic industry professional named CFTPA President and CEO

OTTAWA--Thursday, March 26, 2009- The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) is pleased to announce that Norm Bolen is joining the organization as President and CEO, effective April 15th.

Mr. Bolen is the former Executive Vice President, Content, for Alliance Atlantis Communications where he had overall programming responsibility for thirteen Canadian specialty networks, and where he led Alliance Atlantis' web based and emerging new media content and all broadcast operations.  Prior to joining Alliance Atlantis, Norm spent 21 years at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a journalist and executive. In his last position at the CBC he was the head of Network Television Current Affairs.

Mr. Bolen is currently Chair of the Banff World Television Festival, co-Chair of the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival and a Director of the National Screen Institute. Most recently, he has been a media consultant and a director of mDialog, a web-based high-resolution video distribution platform.

“In all of his various roles, both public and private, Norm has always been a champion of Canadian content,” says Sandra Cunningham, Chair, CFTPA. “It is a challenging time for Canadian independent producers and the CFTPA needs an advocate like Norm at the helm.”

“I congratulate the Board on a great selection and wish Norm every success going forward,” says Guy Mayson, the CFTPA’s former President and CEO. “His extensive experience and his knowledge of broadcasting and production issues make him well qualified to take on the challenges facing our sector in a rapidly changing broadcasting environment."

“I am very much looking forward to working with the members of the CFTPA,” says Mr. Bolen. “I have profound respect for the significant contribution they make to the broadcast, theatrical feature film and multi-platform landscapes. I intend to work closely with the members and other stakeholders in the industry to continue to grow the independent production sector in Canada and in the international marketplace.”

About us:
The CFTPA is a non-profit trade organization that works on behalf of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and interactive media products in all regions of Canada.  More specifically, it promotes the general interests of its members provincially, federally, and internationally; negotiates and manages labour agreements with guilds and unions; administers copyright collectives; trains new industry entrants through various internship programs; and undertakes a number of other specific initiatives that help increase awareness and enhance communication within the Canadian and international production communities.

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For further information contact:
Marc Séguin
Vice-President, Feature Film & New Technology
T: (613) 233-1444 x 223