Shaw Communications has named veteran Canadian broadcast executive Barbara Williams executive vice-president, broadcasting and president of its Shaw Media division.
She succeeds former Shaw Media president Paul Robertson – who died Sept. 2 at the age of 59 following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Williams was most recently SVP, content for Shaw’s media unit, which owns the Global Television network as well as 19 leading specialty services including Food Network, HGTV and Showcase.
The company said that Williams would continue to “reinforce” its position as one of Canada’s leading broadcasters while evolving to meet future audience and advertiser needs.
A key focus for Williams will be continuing to strengthen its core business while transforming to adapt to the changing media environment. The latter has been a particular focus of the CRTC’s ongoing “Let’s Talk TV” hearings, which continue through this week.
Shaw Communications CEO Brad Shaw described Williams in a release as an “exceptional leader” and “well-respected” industry executive. “Coupled with her extensive list of accomplishments and experience, she is the ideal candidate to lead our media business as we transition to become Canada’s leading network and content company,” said Shaw.
Williams has played a central role in helping increase its flagship network Global’s presence among the top 10 and 20 programs, while simultaneously strengthening the company’s specialty portfolio.
She has been instrumental in the development of several Canadian TV series commissioned by Shaw, including Rookie Blue, Vikings, Lost Girl and Top Chef Canada.
At the same time, she helped grow key partnerships and deepened the company’s relationship with U.S. studios, leading to the launch of new and revamped channels including H2, Lifetime, FYI, CI, DIY and DTour.
Most recently, Williams turned her attention to program rights acquisition, which led to the launch of Shaw’s on-the-go products GlobalGo and HistoryGo, as well as the new streaming on-demand service Shomi, a joint venture with Rogers Communications.
The company also described her as a “passionate advocate” for the Canadian broadcast industry, sitting on numerous boards and organizations, including her current roles as chair of the Banff World Media Festival and a director of the board of the Canadian Film Centre and Canada’s Walk of Fame.
She has been honoured by several industry associations, most recently in February, when she won the Chair of Distinction award at the Women in Communications and Technology gala.
Williams’ other roles include EVP, content at Canwest Broadcasting prior to the company’s acquisition by Shaw in 2010, as well as VP and general manager at Toronto 1 (now Sun News Network) and senior VP of lifestyle programming at Alliance Atlantis, which was acquired by Canwest in 2007 for $2.3 billion.
