Lionsgate Television Group chairman Kevin Beggs has been elected as chair of the Banff World Media Festival’s board of directors.

Beggs succeeds former Bell Media president Randy Lennox, who served as chair for three years and remains as former chair of the board of BANFF.

“As a longtime board member and participant in this prestigious and exciting festival, I’m deeply honoured to be named chair of BANFF’s board of directors,” said Beggs in a statement.

The veteran television executive has been with Lionsgate since 1998, previously serving as senior VP of drama development. During his time at Lionsgate he has led the growth of the company’s television production business.

He was named chief content integration officer in 2018 to oversee the company’s push to develop new content from its existing IP. Lionsgate’s acclaimed hits include Mad Men, Orange is the New Black and Weeds.

Lionsgate Television Group has close to 70 shows across a wide range of platforms, including Ghosts on CBS, Mythic Quest and Acapulco on Apple TV+, Love Life on HBO Max, Selling Sunset on Netflix and several titles on STARZ, such as Blindspotting, Run the World and Power Book II: Ghost.

Beggs has previously been on the boards of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Los Angeles Paley Center for Media and the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE). Beggs was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2017 and is the recipient of the Alliance for Children’s Rights’ 2019 National Champion for Children Award, Operation Smile’s John Connor Humanitarian Award, the Help Group’s Teddy Bear Humanitarian Award, Clayton Children’s Museum’s Discovery Award and the Broadcasting & Cable 2014 Innovation Award.

“One of the industry’s most respected executives, Kevin has been a long-time board member and a genuine champion of the festival in Hollywood and around the world. It’s an honour to welcome him as our new chair. His creative vision and passion for the business is a perfect match to help us to continue delivering on the festival’s mandate to grow and serve the industry,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, BANFF executive director and Playback publisher. “We thank Randy for his years of service leading the board of directors. His enthusiasm and innovative thinking have helped us reach new heights, including celebrating the festival’s milestone 40th anniversary and helping us to rise to the challenges caused by the pandemic.”

“I couldn’t think of a better addition and champion of BANFF than the extremely talented Kevin Beggs to take over as chair of the festival,” said Lennox. “I’m thankful for having the opportunity to work with the incredible group of board members, executive director Jenn Kuzmyk and the team at Brunico led by Russell Goldstein. I can’t wait to see what the team will achieve under Kevin’s tenure in what I’m sure will be next level content innovation.”

The most recent additions to BANFF’s board of directors include Brenda Gilbert, co-founder and president, Bron Media; Jennifer Kim, SVP, international originals, HBO Max; and Lisa Meeches, founder and executive producer, Eagle Vision.

Other members of the board are Colin Bohm, EVP, content and corporate strategy, Corus Entertainment; John Brunton, chairman and CEO, executive producer, Insight Productions; Sally Catto, general manager, entertainment, factual and sports, CBC; Sean Cohan, chief growth officer and president, international, Nielsen Company; Tom Cox, executive producer, SEVEN24 Films; Valerie Creighton, president and CEO, Canada Media Fund; Sandra Dewey, board of directors, BANFF Television Festival Foundation; Scott Henderson, communications executive; Ira Levy, president and executive producer, Breakthrough Entertainment; Stephen MacDonald, president, global content licensing and international, A+E Networks; Blair Miller, VP, products and content, TELUS STORYHIVE; and Robin Mirsky, executive director, Rogers Group of Funds.