* Toronto’s Portfolio Entertainment has appointed Anita Simand as VP of creative development. Simand will be responsible for the development activities of the company’s current TV projects. She will also pursue new production opportunities for the kids, family and primetime TV market.

Prior to joining Portfolio, Simand served as head of creative affairs for Montreal’s Telescene Film Group. She has also served as creative executive on projects developed and produced for Fox, HBO, Discovery Kids, Showcase, Tri-Star and Warner Bros.

* Societe des auteurs de radio, television et cinema has elected a new board of directors. Marc Gregoire is the new president, replacing Annie Pierard. Mario Bolduc is VP. Other SARTEC board members are Marie Cadieux, Joanne Arseneau, Sylvie Lussier, Isabelle Raynauld, Marc Roberge, Michelle Allen and Marc Robitaille. The nominations are for a two-year period.

* The Toronto branch of Women in Film and Television has appointed Kate Hanley to the newly created position of president. She brings eight years experience as a lawyer and media executive. Previously, Hanley chaired WIFT’s board of directors. Before joining WIFT-T, Hanley was VP, programming and development for the Jim Pattison Trade Group.

WIFT-T also announced the election of its new board of directors at its general meeting held recently in Toronto. Emily Morgan is the new chair of the board, replacing Hanley. New directors include Kathy Ceroni, Anne Schneerer and Allison Vale.

Other appointments to the executive committee include Megan O’Neail to vice-chair, Melissa Amer to secretary and Schneerer to treasurer.

* Tina Novotny has joined Teletoon as its manager of media relations in charge of national publicity for the network. Previously Novotny worked as a program publicist and writer at TVOntario as well as a production publicist and writer at Atlantis Films. She has also worked as a reporter and producer for CTV news and in doc and current affairs research for the CBC.

* At pubcaster Tele-Quebec, Carole Asselin has been named director of public relations. Claude Dufault is the network’s new director of sponsorship and sales.

* Mikale-Andree Joly has taken over TFO/TVOntario’s evening program Panorama. Previously, Joly spent six years as director-general of the CTF and before that worked as a producer at TFO/TVO.