Big Talent, Big Business: Canada's best kept secret is on-screen content

CANADA MEDIA FUND

Canada Media Fund presents at the Economic Club of Canada

TORONTO, March 31, 2015 /CNW/ -  Today, Valerie Creighton, President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund (CMF), addressed the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto regarding the way Canadian consumers are consuming television and digital media products across a wide variety of platforms and how the Canadian audiovisual industry is meeting this new demand.

Behind the award-winning television programs on television or on the Internet and other digital media content such as video games Canadians and world audiences engage with, are thousands of creative people across the country who produce, write, direct, perform, distribute and provide services to this industry. This sector is a major source of economic activity and jobs for Canadians from coast to coast to coast and offers the building of attractive career paths for young Canadians.

According to the Canadian Media Production Association's Profile 2014, film and television supports 125,000 jobs and generates $7.5B in gross domestic product (GDP) for the Canadian economy. The convergent digital media production industry generated 1,610 full-time jobs and $118.1M in GDP. Furthermore, The Canadian videogame industry, one of the largest producers of video games in the world per capita, along with the US and Japan, employs some 16,500 talented individuals.

"In my travels as CEO of the Canada Media Fund, I am often reminded that Canada is the envy of many countries because of our substantial support of the audiovisual production sector. I respond by telling them that it is by far one of the best investments we can make as a country because of its impact on our economy, creation of jobs, promotion of Canada abroad and ultimately the strengthening of our connections as Canadians to each other and to the world." says Creighton. "The CMF is a catalyst, supporting a dynamic environment where creators, producers, broadcasters, and distributors partner to generate content for Canadians world audiences to enjoy. It supports the content that fills the pipes of Canada's growing digital economy."

With a series of Canadian television shows like Vikings, Orphan Black, Saving Hope, Murdoch Mysteries and Les Parent sold and enjoyed by audiences around the world, Canada is also holding its place as an exporter of quality and compelling content. In 2013-2014, the Canadian audiovisual media industry had an export value of over $2.4B.

The CMF is an integral part of a funding ecosystem unique to Canada that supports the production of audiovisual content in all provinces and territories. Since it was created in 2010, the CMF has contributed $1.7B to more than 2,800 Canadian productions, generating $5.9B in production activity for the country. The CMF has just announced a commitment of an additional $375.2M for its 2015-2016 program budget.

About the Canada Media Fund

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms.  The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. Please visit www.cmf-fmc.ca.

SOURCE CANADA MEDIA FUND

Image with caption: "Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund (CNW Group/CANADA MEDIA FUND)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150331_C5968_PHOTO_EN_13814.jpg

Media Contact: Pierre Campeau, Communications Manager, Canada Media Fund, [email protected], [phone]