From a media release:
The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is proud to announce that Kevin Beggs, the Television Group Chair of global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), has been elected Chair of BANFF’s Board of Directors. He succeeds renowned executive Randy Lennox who served as Chair of the Board for three years.
“As a longtime Board member and participant in this prestigious and exciting festival, I’m deeply honoured to be named Chair of BANFF’s Board of Directors,” said Beggs. “BANFF brings together the best of the best of the international screen industry and content producers from all corners of the globe. I look forward to continuing to work with the incredible BANFF team in making BANFF the must-attend television event of the year.”
“One of the industry’s most respected executives, Kevin has been a long-time board member and a genuine champion of the festival in Hollywood and around the world. It’s an honour to welcome him as our new Chair. His creative vision and passion for the business is a perfect match to help us to continue delivering on the festival’s mandate to grow and serve the industry,” said BANFF’s Executive Director, Jenn Kuzmyk. “We thank Randy for his years of service leading the Board of Directors. His enthusiasm and innovative thinking have helped us reach new heights, including celebrating the festival’s milestone 40th anniversary and helping us to rise to the challenges caused by the pandemic.”
“I couldn’t think of a better addition and champion of BANFF than the extremely talented Kevin Beggs to take over as Chair of the Festival,” commented Lennox. “I’m thankful for having the opportunity to work with the incredible group of board members, Executive Director Jenn Kuzmyk and the team at Brunico led by Russell Goldstein. I can’t wait to see what the team will achieve under Kevin’s tenure in what I’m sure will be next level content innovation.”
A 23-year veteran of Lionsgate and a member of its corporate senior management team, Beggs has spearheaded the strategic expansion of the Company’s television production operations into one of the largest independent television businesses in the world. In 2018, Beggs was also named Lionsgate Chief Content Integration Officer responsible for overseeing the Company’s “Lionsgate 360” efforts, the cross-collaborative approach to developing new content from iconic Lionsgate intellectual properties across all of its businesses, including the 1619 Project initiative.
Since joining Lionsgate in 1998, Beggs has guided the Television Group’s growth into a leading supplier of premium content for streaming, cable and broadcast networks. Lionsgate’s roster of nearly 70 shows on dozens of different platforms includes: Home Economics (ABC); Ghosts (CBS); Mythic Quest and Acapulco (Apple TV+); Love Life (HBO Max); Selling Sunset (Netflix); the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show; and a number of STARZ shows including Power Book II: Ghost, Run the World, Heels, Blindspotting, and Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Upcoming series include Dangerous Liaisons for STARZ; Santa Inc., Julia and Minx for HBO Max; Welcome to Flatch for FOX; and The First Lady for Showtime; as well as the Roku holiday special Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas.
Beggs also shepherded eight seasons of the multiple Emmy Award® winner Mad Men, one of the most acclaimed shows in television history, seven seasons of the ground-breaking Orange is the New Black, eight seasons of the hit comedy Weeds and six seasons of the popular Dead Zone.
He is the recipient of the Alliance for Children’s Rights’ 2019 “National Champion for Children Award,” Operation Smile’s John Connor Humanitarian Award, The Help Group’s Teddy Bear Humanitarian Award, Clayton Children Museum’s “Discovery Award,” and the Broadcasting & Cable 2014 Innovation Award. In October 2017, he was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. Beggs has served on the Board and Executive Committees of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Los Angeles Paley Center for Media and the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), serving as its Chairman for four years. Beggs is currently a Board member of the homeless youth center My Friend’s Place, Cayton Children’s Museum, Southern California Public Radio, and Green Dot Charter Schools.
Located in Banff, Alberta, Canada, BANFF is a premium marketplace and conference, an intimate space where unparalleled access, creative inspiration and expert insight combine to launch fresh content and new business strategies. Celebrating its upcoming 43rd year in 2022, the festival has grown into a must-attend annual event where media moguls, producers, creatives and industry stakeholders along with broadcasters and digital media companies tackle issues and trends, forge relationships and nurture partnerships in one of the world’s most stunning landscapes.
