Quebecor has merged its distribution divisions following the departure of Incendo president and CEO Jean Bureau.

Industry veteran Cynthia Kennedy (pictured) has been hired as VP, distribution at Incendo and Quebecor Content to oversee the single distribution unit.

In the newly created role, which begins immediately, Kennedy will oversee the global content sales and distribution strategy for Quebecor and all of its subsidiaries. Reporting to her are Incendo executives Gavin Reardon, head of international sales and coproductions, and Brook Peters, SVP, Canadian sales and production operations; Quebecor Content’s Sylvie Langlois, director of acquisitions entertainment formats and international development; and Carole Labrie, director, TVA Films and TVA Distribution.

Kennedy has more than two decades of global distribution experience, most recently serving as head of sales at Vincent TV in the Netherlands. She has also worked for Talpa Global, BBC Studios, A+E Networks, Channel 4 International and Keshet International, and got her start in film and TV sales with Montreal animation studio Cinar.

“Cynthia’s arrival and the creation of the new distribution unit will allow us to combine our strengths and accelerate our growth,” said Yann Paquet, VP, strategy and international affairs at Quebecor Content, in a statement. “Her extensive international experience, knowledge of the Quebec market, leadership and team spirit, combined with the expertise of the existing teams at Incendo, Quebecor Content and TVA, make Cynthia a valuable asset for our organization.”

Quebecor announced last Friday (April 1) that Bureau, who helmed Incendo for more than 20 years, would be departing the prodco and distributor, with COO Jean-Philippe Normandeau maintaining the company in his stead. Quebecor later clarified that Bureau’s departure had been planned since TVA acquired Incendo back in 2019.

Image courtesy of Quebecor Content