Sean Cohan to Chair Banff World Media Festival Board

Bell Media president Sean Cohan has been tapped as the next chair of the Banff World Media Festival’s board of directors.

The former A&E Networks and Nielsen veteran replaces Kevin Beggs, the Lionsgate Television Group chair who served as Banff board chair for three years. Beggs will continue to serve on the festival’s board as Cohan helps oversee the prestigious media festival as it navigates continuing industry disruption in the streaming era.

“I look forward to collaborating with the team and continuing the work of the incomparable Kevin Beggs to expand Banff’s global impact while showcasing the many opportunities Canadian companies, organizations and creatives bring to our industry,” said Cohan in a statement on Thursday.

The Bell Media boss knows about industry disruption, having boarded the Canadian media giant in Nov. 2023 as U.S. streaming giants were taking an increased share of domestic TV viewing and as ad revenue increasingly shifted to foreign digital platforms like Google and Facebook.

“We’re delighted to welcome Sean as the new chair to guide Banff into its next chapter. As the media landscape continues to evolve, Sean’s forward-thinking vision and global perspective will be invaluable in shaping the future of the festival and fostering innovation across the industry,” added Banff executive director Jenn Kuzmyk in her own statement.

Cohan had a 15-year tenure at A+E Networks, including serving as president, international and digital media, which was followed by his post as chief growth officer and president at Nielsen, the measurement and data analytics giant.

The Banff World Media Festival will return next year from June 8 to 11.