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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

Telefilm promotes Francesca Accinelli, merges cultural portfolio, promotions work

Accinelli will serve as SVP, program strategy and industry development in a five-year term, with cultural portfolio lead René Bourdages departing the organization.

January 11, 2024

BANFF adds three to its board of directors

The Banff World Media Festival has welcomed Paramount’s Lisa Kramer, A+E Networks’ Patrick Vien, and executive Bing Chen to the board.

January 11, 2024

Amazon to cut hundreds of jobs at Prime Video, MGM Studios

The cuts were announced in a memo from SVP Mike Hopkins, and will impact teams across several regions.

January 10, 2024

Lionsgate merges unscripted divisions following eOne deal

The combined entity, named Lionsgate Alternative Television, will collaborate with eOne Canada, led by Jocelyn Hamilton.

January 9, 2024

The Last of Us leads 75th Creative Arts Emmy winners

The Alberta-shot HBO series won eight awards overall, including a sound mixing honour for Calgary’s Michael Playfair.

January 8, 2024

Hulu picks up second window rights to Run the Burbs

The first two seasons of the CBC comedy landed on Hulu on Dec. 31, 2023.

January 5, 2024

Canada’s South Korea trade mission set for April

Canadian Heritage will oversee tailored B2B meetings for creative sector companies attending the mission as part of the Creative Export Strategy.

January 4, 2024

Canadian studios look to M&A to stay competitive

Deals like the Blue Ant Media and marblemedia merger are helping domestic companies scale up to compete globally, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.

January 3, 2024

SODEC supports eight initiatives to promote Quebec cinema

The projects are in the development stage and are meant to make local film more accessible to Quebec audiences.

December 20, 2023

In Brief: Highway Thru Hell hits 200-episode milestone

Plus: Jaskaran Singh’s Jersey Boy wraps production, and a new Letterkenny liquor hits U.S. shelves.

December 20, 2023

Happy holidays from Playback

We’re signing off for the year, but will be back in business on Jan. 3, 2024.

December 20, 2023

Reynolds Mastin reflects on the CMPA’s 75-year anniversary

The president and CEO shares how the association has evolved in the last few years through changes to the board of directors.

December 20, 2023