Bell Media has announced a series of “elevated roles” for senior executives in its content, distribution and English-language programming teams.
Randy Lennox, former president of entertainment production and broadcasting, becomes president, broadcasting and content; Tracey Pearce, formerly senior vice-president, specialty and pay, becomes president, distribution and pay; and Mike Cosentino, former senior vice-president of programming for CTV Networks and CraveTV, becomes SVP of CTV and specialty.
The changes take effect Aug. 8 and are related to the impending departure of president of content sales, marketing and digital products Domenic Vivolo. The company said Vivolo was leaving the company at the end of the week to pursue “new opportunities.”
Vivolo arrived at Bell in 2013 following the company’s acquisition of Astral Media, and was appointed executive vice-president of content sales and distribution marketing in 2014. A Bell spokesperson said the three executives would absorb Vivolo’s duties in their expanded roles.
With the changes, Lennox’s role expands to include English-language programming and production, with what the company called a “singular focus” on content.
In addition to his current duties overseeing the company’s English independent and in-house entertainment productions, Lennox will now oversee the company’s conventional and English specialty services.
Pearce will oversee the team that distributes, licenses and markets Bell Media’s conventional, specialty and pay channels, non-linear content and TV everywhere services to the company’s BDU partners.
She also assumes responsibility for the over-the-top streaming service CraveTV and the pay TV multiplex The Movie Network (which includes HBO Canada) and maintains her executive role supporting the company’s English-language factual specialty channels, including Discovery.
Cosentino’s responsibilities have been expanded to include leading the programing and channel strategy for the company’s English-language entertainment specialty services including Space, Bravo and The Comedy Network.
Lennox and Pearce will report into Bell Media president Mary Ann Turcke, while Cosentino will report into Lennox.
Turcke said the elevated roles recognized the contributions of Lennox, Pearce and Cosentino, calling them “exceptional” media executives with extensive experience and “stellar” records of innovation and success. Turcke also acknowledged Vivolo’s “significant contribution” to the company.
