The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television has chosen former Bay Street media and entertainment lawyer Sara Morton as its new CEO. She took office on July 3.

Morton takes over from longtime Academy leader Maria Topalovich, who stepped down in April after nearly 28 years with the organization.

‘I think they were interested in the range of experience that I had, because I’ve worked with the production community and I’m very familiar with the production financing side of the industry…but I’ve also worked in broadcast and new technologies,’ says Morton.

Morton says plans for the Academy’s award shows, including the Geminis, Genies and Prix Gemeaux – which have experienced declining ratings and dwindling public interest – are top of mind, though she would not elaborate.

‘I certainly recognize some of the challenges that those award shows face, and clearly that will be a top priority – how to drive greater ratings and make them better,’ she says.

Morton, who helped implement Ontario’s film and television tax credit program and played a key role in the creation of the Ontario Media Development Corporation (then known as the Ontario Film Development Corporation), says her first order of business will be familiarizing herself with the Academy and identifying critical issues facing the organization.

She also intends to work on getting CTV News, which withdrew from the Gemini Awards last year following complaints about the voting process, back in the game.

‘A key part of my initial evaluation will be talking to the broadcasters and trying to understand their needs and issues, and address those in a reasonable fashion,’ Morton says.