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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

Jean La Rose to depart as APTN CEO in December

La Rose, who has served as CEO of the network for 17 years, will exit the role at the end of the year.

April 16, 2019

TVO, TFO greenlight Breakthough copro Book Hungry Bears

The animated preschool series is created by New Zealand’s Pukeko Pictures and coproduced by Breakthough Entertainment and China’s Hengxin Shambala Kids.

April 15, 2019

Disney streamer to hit U.S. market in November 2019

The House of Mouse will launch the SVOD service with more than 35 original titles to start, but details on the Canadian launch date have not been revealed.

April 12, 2019

Ontario government to review tax credit application process

The province also announced plans for a film and television advisory board to further explore opportunities for “high-value film and television production.”

April 12, 2019

In brief: Canadians get Peabody noms, New York tax credit renewed

Plus: Toronto distributor Juice Worldwide expands into post-production services and CBC Gem unveils a new partnership.

April 11, 2019

BANFF to host Jed Mercurio’s first North American engagement

The U.K. showrunner behind Bodyguard and Line of Duty will take part in the festival’s ‘In Conversation With’ series.

April 10, 2019

Hall Webber LLP hires policy specialist Deborah Smith-Webber

The former cultural policy-maker with the Ontario government will oversee policy and regulatory strategies for the entertainment law firm.

April 9, 2019

Marie Kelly named ACTRA National executive director

Stephen Waddell has announced his retirement from the role, which he has held since 1992.

April 8, 2019

MIPTV deals: 9 Story, Blue Ant, Gusto

Canadian distributors revealed hundreds of hours of content sales as MIPTV got underway.

April 8, 2019

Vanessa Matsui selected for Sundance Institute program

Matsui’s Ghost BFF webseries (pictured) is among 10 titles chosen for the mentorship lab focused on digital short-form projects.

April 5, 2019

How Nurses subverts the typical medical procedural model

Creator and showrunner Adam Pettle shares how he built his most diverse writers’ room yet to create a new kind of medical drama.

April 4, 2019

Toronto nears $2B in production spending in 2018

The annual report from the City of Toronto said overall spend came close to 2016’s record-setting numbers, citing higher average production budgets for the increase.

April 4, 2019