Canwest Broadcasting has named a new nine-member executive management team that will report to president Kathy Dore, bringing a few names from newly acquired Alliance Atlantis into its fold.

The reorganization unveiled on Jan. 22 includes Errol Da-Ré, former VP of sales at AA, 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.

‘The combined assets of Canwest and Alliance Atlantis will reinforce our position as a leader in Canadian broadcasting,’ said Dore in a statement.

But layoffs are also in the works at both companies, though Canwest had yet to make any official announcement by press time. AA’s SVP of content John Gill has left, followed by Rachel Fulford, who was director of original production at Showcase for nine years.

Fulford was a key figure behind Showcase series including Trailer Park Boys, Paradise Falls, Kenny vs. Spenny and Rent-A-Goalie. It is not known who will take over her decision-making duties at Showcase, though her boss Tara Ellis, the channel’s VP of content, will remain at Canwest.

Showcase is known for turning out daring domestic shows, and its future, following the $2.3-billion purchase of its parent AA by Canwest and Goldman Sachs, is of concern to many producers.

Other changes to the AA roster include Andrew Akman, former VP of corporate development and investor relations, who 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. *