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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

Large-scale trade mission to Japan in the works

The fall trade mission will bring several domestic sectors, including the cultural industry, to Osaka and Tokyo.

July 4, 2023

Vancouver Film Studios sold to Hackman Capital Partners

The acquisition includes affiliate companies Pacific Backlot and Signal Systems.

July 4, 2023

Daniel Northway-Frank boards Isuma Distribution International

The former imagineNATIVE director has been tapped to oversee Isuma’s film launches and sales as director of distribution.

July 4, 2023

Disney+ Canada cuts head of content role

Stephanie Azam has been let go in a recent company-wide restructure, Playback has confirmed.

June 30, 2023

TV’s Sue Johanson remembered as ‘national treasure’

The sex educator and host of the Sunday Night Sex Show died this week at the age of 93.

June 30, 2023

WGC issues letter to Heritage, Innovation ministers on AI

The guild has asked the federal government to protect the interests of human creators through the Copyright Act and Canada’s cultural funds.

June 28, 2023

Alibi Entertainment adds two VPs to executive team

The Toronto prodco has tapped Joanne Virgo to lead its factual and lifestyle slate, with Jeff Baker overseeing production.

June 28, 2023

Boat Rocker uncovers third season of Secrets in the Ice

The media company greenlit a new season of the Shark Teeth Films unscripted series following a number of international acquisitions.

June 27, 2023

Pixcom promotes five to management team

The Montreal-based prodco has also announced the sale of dramedy Audrey est revenue to the Middle East.

June 27, 2023

CMF selects 54 companies for $4M in development support

The 2022-23 recipients of the Slate Development Pilot Program each receive $75,000 for up to three doc or children’s projects.

June 26, 2023

Entertainment One to lay off 20% of film, TV staff

Parent company Hasbro said the “workforce reduction” is part of global staff cuts announced in January.

June 22, 2023

CFC selects 18 for 2023 Norman Jewison Film Program

The annual program offers roughly five months of training for writers, directors, producers and editors.

June 22, 2023