The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) has named Marcia Douglas to the newly created position of director of business affairs and digital initiatives.

The former Bell Fund exec will be responsible for educating CMPA members on the ins and outs of sharing IP on digital platforms and explore new business opportunities. Her immediate priorities will be to contribute to the curriculum design of two of the CMPA’s professional development initiatives: branded entertainment, and data, analytics and audience building.

Douglas, who began her new role earlier this week, will report to the CMPA’s general counsel and VP of legal and business affairs Marla Boltman and VP of outreach and strategic initiatives Marguerite Pigott. She will be based in Toronto.

A familiar face to the industry, Douglas served as program manager for the Bell Fund from 2010 until October 2015. During this time she also held analyst roles for both the Cogeco Program Development Fund and the Independent Production Fund (IPF), assessing and evaluating funding requests for both organizations.

The CMPA has been busy in the second half of 2015, naming Reynolds Mastin to the president and CEO post, conducting negotiations with industry trade unions and announcing a new memorandum of understanding agreement with the Producers Guild of America (PGA) this fall.