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Kelly Townsend

Kelly Townsend is the editor at Playback, with previous experience in B2B and entertainment journalism. Before joining the Playback team in 2018, she worked in the editorial, marketing and communication departments at B2B publisher Dovetail Communications. She has a bachelor's degree in English from York University and is a graduate of Humber College’s journalism program. Her byline has appeared in IndieWire and she spent several years covering Canadian TV as associate editor of The TV Junkies.

Posts by Kelly Townsend

OUTtv acquires The Amazing Gayl Pile for linear, streaming

The LaRue Entertainment-produced comedy will premiere tonight (July 16) on OUTtv in its Canadian linear debut, with three seasons landing on OUTtvGO.

July 16, 2020

Neshama adds VP of business, legal affairs to exec team

The prodco has expanded its team as it goes back into production and grows its business with partner and minority shareholder MarVista Entertainment.

July 16, 2020

Departure lands U.S. distribution with Peacock

The new streaming service will air Departure in September thanks to a deal brokered by Starlings Television.

July 15, 2020

Inspired Image taps new CSO to lead strategic Canadian expansion

The former Sim International exec joins the equipment rental and production services company to oversee its growth and diversification, including acquisitions.

July 15, 2020

Quebec invests $51M to offset COVID production, insurance costs

The funds will give temporary relief for the province’s domestic productions, while the CMPA made a renewed call for a nationwide solution to the insurance problem.

July 14, 2020

HireBIPOC to launch as streamlined staffing resource

Bell Media president Randy Lennox and BIPOC TV & Film founder Nathalie Younglai discuss building an industry-wide resource for staffing domestic and service productions.

July 13, 2020

In brief: Steven DeNure takes on strategic role at Aux Mode

Plus: The producers behind The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open launch a grant program, and incubator programs name winning projects.

July 9, 2020
Photo by Vanilla Bear Films on Unsplash

Heritage unveils $27.8M in Phase 2 funds for audiovisual sector

The additional emergency funds will be distributed by Telefilm and the Canada Media Fund, with details on allocation to be announced “as soon as possible.”

July 8, 2020

William F. White International acquires Century Studio

The company purchased the studio from High Park Entertainment’s Thomas Walden and Eric Birnberg, making it their third location in the Toronto area.

July 7, 2020

Shaftesbury brings its latest branded content to Crave for Pride

SVP, branded entertainment Kaaren Whitney-Vernon shares how their track record with authentic LGBTQ representation made them an attractive partner to Dove.

July 3, 2020

In brief: VIFF builds digital platform for its 39th edition

Plus: The ISO partners with Sundance, Breakthroughs names its short film winners and the Canada Council for the Arts has given $250,000 in emergency funds for Indigenous artists.

July 2, 2020

How BIPOC TV & Film has helped lead the industry’s push for change

Founder Nathalie Younglai and communications and outreach lead Gillian Muller on their work to reduce barriers for BIPOC creatives and the impact of receiving support from the top.

June 30, 2020