Shaw Media has just announced the promotion of Barbara Williams to the position of Executive Vice President, Broadcasting and President. In this role, Barbara will continue to expand Shaw Media’s broadcast division while continuing to evolve the communications company’s audience and advertiser needs.
Prior to the appointment, Barbara was Senior Vice President of Content for Shaw Media, overseeing the creation of Canadian original productions, acquisition deals of top U.S. and international series, and scheduling for the company’s conventional and specialty channels. Barbara has also been a key figure in the creation of the Rogers and Shaw Media partnership which has given birth to the soon to be launched shomi. Before joining Shaw, she was Executive Vice President, Content at Canwest Broadcasting. Previous positions also include her role as Vice President and General Manager of Toronto 1 as well as Senior Vice President of Lifestyle Programming at Alliance Atlantis.
She has been the driving force behind numerous successful Canadian television series commissioned by Shaw Media, including Rookie Blue, Vikings, Lost Girl, Remedy, Top Chef Canada, Continuum, Yukon Gold and Timber Kings.
A mentor and advocate for women both within the company as well as the industry, Ms. Williams has been an instrumental leader at Shaw Media and recognized for her unwavering value system and as a strong champion for diversity. In December 2008 Barbara was acknowledged for her Outstanding Achievement at the 20th Anniversary WIFT-T Crystal Awards and in February 2014, Ms. Williams won the Chair of Distinction award at the Women in Communications and Technology Gala.