The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) has added three new members to its board of directors ahead of its 45th edition in June.
Joining the board are Lisa Kramer, Paramount Global Content Distribution’s president, international TV licensing; Patrick Vien, A+E Networks’ group managing director, international; and Bing Chen, executive chairman and founder of AU Holdings, CEO and co-founder of non-profit Gold House and general partner and co-founder of multicultural film fund Aum Group.
Kramer has been with Paramount for nearly two decades, and was tasked with leading its international TV licensing from London, England in 2017. She held distribution roles at DreamWorks and the Walt Disney Company prior to joining Paramount in 2006.
Vien and his team at A+E Networks handle the implementation of its international business strategy, with oversight of its channel brands, with clients in more than 200 markets. Prior to joining A+E Networks, Vien held titles such as president of Pulse Films and the Tyra Banks Company, chairman and CEO of Warner Music International, and president of global networks at NBC Universal.
Bing Chen is an investor and entrepreneur in the screen sector, and previously served as global head of creator development and management at YouTube, helping form the company’s influencer ecosystem. Among his titles is a Forbes 30 Under 30, a Hollywood Reporter Next Gen Leader and Most Influential Agent of Change.
BANFF has also announced that Sandra Dewey, former president of business operations and productions for Max, TNT, TBS and truTV at WarnerMedia, has retired from her position on the board.
“We are excited to welcome such a distinguished group of new board members as Banff continues to build on its reputation as the preeminent creative television festival in North America,” said Kevin Beggs, chairman and chief creative officer at Lionsgate Television Group, and BANFF’s chair of the board, in a statement. “We also wish to thank the amazing Sandra Dewey for many years of dedicated service to the festival.”
Returning members of the board for 2024 include vice-chair Brenda Gilbert, most recently the co-founder and president of Bron Media; Toon Boom Animation CEO Colin Bohm; Sally Catto, CBC’s GM, entertainment, factual and sports; Bell Media president Sean Cohan; and Tom Cox, SEVEN24 Films’ executive producer and managing director.
Rounding out the board are Canada Media Fund president and CEO Valerie Creighton; Jennifer Kim, most recently the SVP, international originals at HBO Max; Eagle Vision founder and executive producer Lisa Meeches; Rogers Group of Funds executive director Robin Mirsky; and Justin Stockman, Bell Media’s VP, content development and programming.
Pictured (L-R): Lisa Kramer (photo by Bill Inoshita/Paramount Global Content Distribution); Patrick Vien (photo by Zack DeZon) and Bing Chen (photo by Daniel Seung Lee)