OTTAWA — Canwest Broadcasting on Tuesday announced a new nine-member executive management team that will report to president Kathy Dore, as the conventional broadcaster brings newly acquired Alliance Atlantis specialty TV channels into its fold.

The reorganization includes Errol Da-Ré, former VP of sales at Alliance Atlantis, who has been named EVP of sales, with the responsibility of leading the Canwest conventional and specialty TV sales teams. He will oversee marketing ventures, strategic research, digital media and revenue and inventory management teams.

Layoffs are also in the works at both companies, though Canwest has yet to make any official announcement. Playback Daily reported on Monday that cuts were unlikely to AA’s sales team, though AA’s SVP of content John Gill left on Monday.

‘The combined assets of Canwest and Alliance Atlantis will reinforce our position as a leader in Canadian broadcasting,’ said Dore in a statement. A Canwest spokesperson was unavailable for further comment.

Andrew Akman, AA’s former VP of corporate development and investor relations, is now SVP of strategy and chief administrative officer. He will continue to be responsible for strategic planning, business development and the integration of AA and Canwest broadcasting properties, while also overseeing human resources and information technology, among other areas.

Michael French, formerly AA’s VP of finance, business planning and analysis, will lead the finance team of the combined broadcaster as CFO.

Canwest employees named to the senior management team include Charlotte Bell, David McCauley, Christine McGinley, Barbara Williams and Steve Wyatt. Williams, formerly SVP of programming and production, is now EVP of content. McGinley remains SVP of operations and will oversee the 15 Global and E! stations.

Walter Levitt, most recently Canwest’s SVP of TV marketing and previously in the AA fold, is now chief marketing officer, overseeing brand strategy, promotion and publicity for the combined broadcasting business. His responsibilities also include content distribution and co-marketing with cable and satellite TV distribution companies.

More personnel changes are expected from Canwest over the next week.

Maureen Parker, head of the Writers Guild of Canada, says there will be less doors for writers to knock on to pitch their projects.

‘I hope that the specialty TV channels don’t become home to repeats from CanWest’s conventional stations,’ she said. ‘Alliance Atlantis’ Showcase has commissioned a number of Canadian shows, such as Rent-A-Goalie, Trailer Park Boys, Billable Hours, Show Me Yours, Naked Josh and Kenny vs. Spenny.’

The CRTC gave its final approval on Jan. 18 to the $2.3 billion takeover of Alliance Atlantis by Canwest and partner Goldman Sachs.