Marla Boltman to head up Friends

Friends, formerly known as Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, announced Wednesday that Marla Boltman has been appointed as executive director and spokesperson, replacing Daniel Bernhard. Bernhard left the organization shortly after the 2021 election. “With the imminent arrival of key pieces of legislation, Boltman will serve as a powerful advocate for Canadian voices at a critical time for the country’s cultural media policy,” Friends wrote in its press release. Boltman will continue to engage Ottawa on CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate and budget while working to ensure that social media and streaming platforms contribute equitably to Canadian content and journalism, according to the release. “With the free speech debate now squarely at Parliament’s doorstep, Friends' commitment to eradicating illegal content online remains stronger than ever,” the release stated. Boltman has more than 20 years of experience in policy and regulatory advocacy, content production, and entertainment law. She holds a law degree from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, a bachelor of applied arts in radio and television arts from Ryerson University, and a bachelor in sociology from the University of Western Ontario. Boltman’s most recent position was as senior vice-president of business affairs and operations at Halfire Entertainment, where she co-produced Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace. Prior to that she served as the vice-president of business and legal affairs and general counsel at the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), where she provided legal and strategic business advice to the independent production sector, and worked on the collective bargaining of creative union and guild agreements. She also served in various roles at DHX Media (now Wildbrain Ltd.), the Canada Media Fund, the Canadian Film Centre and Alliance Atlantis Communications. “Every step of my career has been marked by the same through line – carving out space for Canadian voices and protecting our culture and values in the process,” Boltman said in the release. Boltman is also currently a member of the board of directors of POV, Youth Film and Media and Training Network. Previously, she served as chair of the Program Advisory Committee for Centennial College’s Business of TV & Film Program, served on the board of directors of the Canadian Retransmission Collective, and was a member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Televisions’ Canadian Screen Awards TV Rules and Regulations Committee. “It is a great pleasure to welcome Marla as the Executive Director and congratulate her on her new position,” board of directors chair Raymonde Lavoie said in the release. “Marla’s extensive and varied experience has given her a unique understanding of the challenges in the Canadian media sector. She has the passion and pragmatism needed to rally elected officials, stakeholders, and the public around ensuring that foreign companies that benefit from doing business in Canada support the creation of Canadian stories.”

Marla Boltman to head up Friends

Broadcast | February 2, 2022

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Marla Boltman to head up Friends

Broadcast | February 2, 2022

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